Sony has recently shared that its PlayStation 4 has shipped over 60 million units worldwide. It is quite obvious that the PS4 has been the dominant platform over the past few years. Analysts also predict that sales of the console will still continue to stay on top of the charts in the near future. However, Nintendo has also recently released its Nintendo Switch and Microsoft is scheduled to launch its Project Scorpio, which led to speculations that the PS4 might get a price cut soon.
Michael Pachter, a well-known analyst, reports that Sony has expressed its plans to move another 18 million PS4 units by next year. According to Game Rant's report, the company's projection is indeed possible as long as they work on the console's retail price. The analyst said, "yes, if they price the PS4 correctly, they can sell another 18 million." He also notes that "the forecast suggests that there is a price cut coming."
Sony's price cut would apply to both the regular PS4 and the PS4 Pro. While Microsoft's Project Scorpio has way better hardware specs than the PS4 Pro, a lower price compared to the Scorpio could have consumers go for the Pro instead of the new Flagship gaming system. Nintendo's Switch has also entered the market and has also performed quite well with over 2.47 million units shipped in the past two months after its official launch, reports Gamenguide.
The company appears to be targeting the same sales numbers of its PS2 during its lifetime. With a price cut, Sony should be able to continue the PS4's sales momentum despite the presence of other competing platforms. However, Michael Pachter believes that the PS4 will not be able to dethrone the older model. He suggests that "the competition from Xbox and Switch will soak up too much of the addressable market."
Currently, the Sony PS4 with a 1TB hard drive was adjusted to $299 since September 2016. Occasionally, special discounts would mark the price to $249 for a limited time only. It is understandable that the company might consider a permanent price cut due to the recent competition from Nintendo and an upcoming one from Microsoft.
