PS5 restocks are such a nightmare that Sony wants to sell you a PS4 instead

PS5 restocks are such a nightmare that Sony wants to sell you lot a PS4 instead

(Epitome credit: Future)

More than than a year on from launch and hunting down a PS5 restock remains a rather thankless chore. Over the last 14 months, Sony has seriously struggled to supply enough units to meet the intense need for the machine. The gaming giant'southward latest solution to the next-gen panel stock crisis appears to be attempting to sell customers a PS4 instead.

According to a new Bloomberg report, Sony had initially planned to cease production of the PS4 last year but has reserved that determination and volition instead go along to manufacture the console through 2022. It's expected that around ane meg PS4 consoles volition be produced this year in an attempt to ease some of the force per unit area on PS5 production.

It'south believed that producing more PS4 consoles will also enable Sony to negotiate amend deals with its manufacturing partners in turn making PS5 production run smoother. Regarding this news, a Sony spokesperson said: "[PS4] is one of the best-selling consoles ever and there is always crossover between generations."

The PS4 was originally released in November 2013 and has gone on to sell a whopping 116 meg units to date. This ranks it as the 2d acknowledged home console of all time, backside only the PS2 which sold a pretty much untouchable 155 million units.

Despite the ongoing supply shortage, the PS5 is the fastest-selling console in history. The next-gen panel has sold roughly 14 million units through 2021 and is outpacing the PS4 at a comparative bespeak in each panel'southward lifecycle. Industry expectations are that when the book is airtight on both consoles, the PS5 will have outsold its predecessor.

Fifty-fifty with the launch of the PS5, the PS4 remains a pretty bonny panel. Not only does the panel take a deep library of fantastic software, but upcoming Sony first-party exclusives including Horizon: Forbidden Due west, Gran Turismo 7 and God of War Ragnarok will be launching on both PS4 and PS5. Not to mention hugely anticipated tertiary-party titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Elden Ring will be available on both platforms likewise.

Of course, the PS4'south solar day in the sun is (slowly) cartoon to a close and there are a host of games on the horizon that will exist exclusively for next-gen systems, also every bit a few already available including Returnal and Demon's Souls. Purchasing a PS4 in lieu of a PS5 is definitely a short-term solution. But if yous desperately want a new console this instant, the PS4 is certainly the more readily available machine and is naturally cheaper than its successor (although prices are ascension).

If only a adjacent-gen console will practice, brand certain to bookmark our PS5 restock hub. This comprehensive guide to ownership a PS5 is updated daily with the news and updates. We tin can't guarantee it'll get you a PS5, but it will definitely make the task of tracking down Sony's coveted console a lilliputian chip easier.

Rory is a staff writer at Tom'due south Guide based in the Britain. He covers a broad range of topics including tech news, deals, gaming, streaming and more. When he's not writing hot takes on the latest gaming hardware and streaming shows, he can be found watching a borderline unhealthy amount of movies and existence thoroughly disappointed by his terrible football team.