US PlayStation Sales Slump to 2013 Levels as PS5 Costs Near $600
US PlayStation hardware sales in 2026 through August are down 25% year over year, the lowest since 2013, according to Circana data cited by analyst Mat Piscatella. The average PS5 selling price in the US this year is $597, up 20% year over year, with the PS5 Pro contributing to that figure. Xbox hardware also fell 33% and hit an all-time low, while broader economic and component cost pressures are affecting the market.
Circana’s August US report shows PlayStation dollar sales grew, yet unit sales for 2026 through August fell 25% from a year earlier, the weakest since 2013. The average PS5 price reached $597, 20% higher year over year, with PS5 Pro sales lifting that average. Xbox units dropped 33% to a brand-record low.
Wider pressures include rising computing component costs tied to AI, a 20% decline in PC shipments, and Apple reducing iPhone 18 Pro orders. Sony has discussed earning more from players beyond hardware, while analyst Mat Piscatella describes the American console market as facing its gravest conditions in roughly four decades.
If PS5 prices stay near $600, budget-conscious households and younger players could delay buying or upgrading, potentially widening access gaps. Developers and publishers may face longer cross-generation support and softer hardware-driven growth. Sony’s push for non-hardware revenue could reshape how players pay for games, though broader economic strain may limit spending across entertainment.