PS5 Sales Remain Ahead of Xbox Series X|S as Gap Shrinks - Worldwide Hardware Estimates for Aug 1-7 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 18 August 2021 / 9,145 Views
The Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console with 293,514 units sold for the week ending August 7, according to VGChartz estimates. The Switch has now sold an estimated 89.32 million units lifetime.
The PlayStation 5 sold an estimated 180,170 units to bring its lifetime sales to 10.62 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 125,591 units to bring their lifetime sales to 6.56 million units.
The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 28,346 units, the Xbox One sold 12,639 units, and the Nintendo 3DS sold 302 units.
Nintendo Switch sales compared to the same week a year ago are down 152,265 units (-34.2%). The PlayStation 4 is down 102,109 (-78.3%), the Xbox One is down 17,265 units (-57.7%), and the 3DS is down 4,745 units (-94.0%).
Looking at sales week-on-week, Nintendo Switch sales were up nearly 12,000 units, PlayStation 5 sales were down nearly 50,000 units, while Xbox Series X|S sales remained flat.
Global hardware estimates (Followed by lifetime sales):
- Switch - 293,514 (89,316,236)
- PlayStation 5 - 180,170 (10,617,098)
- Xbox Series X|S - 125,591 (6,563,971)
- PlayStation 4 - 28,346 (116,329,049)
- Xbox One - 12,639 (50,320,955)
- 3DS - 302 (75,939,959)
- Switch - 103,604
- Xbox Series X|S - 68,502
- PlayStation 5 - 62,813
- PlayStation 4 - 11,142
- Xbox One - 9,504
- PlayStation 5 - 79,342
- Switch - 77,299
- Xbox Series X|S - 41,868
- PlayStation 4 - 14,004
- Xbox One - 2,527
- Switch - 100,055
- PlayStation 5 - 32,489
- Xbox Series X|S - 10,949
- PlayStation 4 - 2,691
- Xbox One - 387
- 3DS - 302 (Japan only)
- Switch - 12,556
- PlayStation 5 - 5,526
- Xbox Series X|S - 4,272
- PlayStation 4 - 509
- Xbox One - 221
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Interesting that the Switch rose again after such steep drops the last few weeks. Can stock issues alone explain the 50k drop for PS5? I guess you really can't find one.
I own a ps5 and not an xbox at the moment, with that said, I'd take the xbox series X over the ps5. I never understand why people prefer the ps5.
1 - Xbox is smaller, sleeker, nicer design
2 - Has a better controller, also has the elite 2 pro controller, ps5 controller is better than ps4 but Ill never get used to symmetrical thumbsticks, my left thumb keeps slipping of it on the ps5 and ps4.
3 - Has better backwards compatibility with more improvements
4 - Is quieter
5 - you can use controllers from the previous generation
6 - You can upload your saves to the cloud, without paying
7 - Is more powerful
8 - Gamepass
9 - Emulators
10 - Much better battery life on the controllers, by a lot
11 - No need for a stand, to have the console stand
12 - Better UI, I never understood why my games are all mixed up on ps5, I'd like a list with all my games installed, but its mixed with all the games I have previously installed and deleted too, and separated the internal from external drive, xbox has options to show your complete installed library, you cant even put the games on folders
With that said I went ps5 because when I couldn't find an xbox at launch, I decided to build a powerful PC, more powerful than these consoles, and all xbox games are on PC.
Now I found a ps5 second hand for a decent price so I get to have both. But microsoft deserves more praise and sales this time around, they did a great job.
a lot of this stuff just isnt essential or that important to most people. It's as simple as some people just like Sony's exclusives and interface & controllers more. All of this stuff it totally fair and reasonable reasons for you to prefer the xbox but it's all about preference. Plus they are getting more praise and sales this time around
Most of those things are not just preference, having better battery is not a preference, who prefers worse battery? Having a choice of controllers is not a preference, who prefers to have no choice? Having more games on backwards compatibility is also not a preference, having a smaller more powerful console is also not a preference, never knew anyone who wanted less power and bigger consoles. Never new anyone who said they prefer their console to wobble without an attached plastic stand, never new anyone who wants less options for UI organization, never new anyone who didn't want an option of gamepass, doesn't mean you have to use it, but the point is you have a choice, never new anyone who wanted a louder console either, never knew anyone who rather pay for their saves than having it free.
You must love your ps5 but thats no reason to defend sony when they could do better, I have a ps5 and trust me it could be way way better, even the ps4 had more features.
I dont even own a Sony console lmfao. I almost entirely game on PC and am a big fan of the Halo series, Forza, etc. and the xbox controller is currently my controller of choice
ford sucks chevy sucks ford sucks chevy sucks. high school days
Exclusives and the controller....and the idea that it appeals to a worldwide audience with a tonne of variety in its games and features rather than focusing mostly on America. And Brand loyalty. And third party support. And, you know, Xbox has a tonne of potential but has been a disappointing brand for ten years now. They have worlds of potential and there's a good chance they'll turn it around, but as of now they still haven't done so.
As of now, I'm shocked Xbox Series X has done as well as it has, considering we're nearly 1 year in and it still doesn't have any exclusives.
I really don't think it's that shocking, but okay. People know Xbox has a ton of exclusives in the pipeline and Halo Infinite, FH5, and Game Pass this year is more than enough of a reason to go out and buy the system. The value position of owning a Series X|S with Game Pass is ridicules. An instant library of great games and new releases all the time is hard to pass up.
Upgrade your PC, it's cheaper, can do more, and has literally all of the same benefits.
Nah, I'm good. Upfront cost for PC gaming to be on par with current gen is certainly not cheaper, but okay. Does PC have quick resume and the better Game Pass selection? I guess it doesn't have ALL of the same benefits.
PC does have quick resume lol. It's called alt+ tab. Also PC has gamepass via cloud streaming and downloads for games that run better on PC.
I'm not trying to diss Xbox here, but PC has a lot of flexibility.
Game Pass on PC doesn't have as great of an offering as it's console counterpart for downloading, and I think we can all agree the Game Pass app on PC definitely has its issues. I'm not arguing PC doesn't have tons of features that a console doesn't have because it absolutely does. Runa just can't imagine why anyone might prefer an Xbox or even want to buy one. So some times a reality check is in order.
You really have no idea what is quick resume, if you put 5 games open at the same time on PC it will affect perfomance.
I have a powerful PC, and would chose it over any console any day, but you are wrong about some things, PC cant do many things, example, it isn't as small and as quiet and as light as the xbox. It also isn't as quick to start a game, even with a fast ssd you still need to boot windows and all that. PC has no quick resume, period, ALT tab isn't it.
Also my PC parts cost me around 1600dollars (1400euros) with some parts second hand. And I had to spend a good couple hours building it and installing windows. Xbox costs 500 dollars.
Also xbox already comes with a great controller, sure I bought the elite 2 for my PC which cost me 180 euros + the wireless adapter, another 25 euros bringing the PC cost to around 1600 euros, and that's not even counting with a windows licence which I got it free.
Sure my processor was probably too over the top, but overall the xbox with games optimized can push the same performance and still be quieter while being much smaller.
The reason I bought a console now was that I travelled for work, cant take my PC on the luggage.
The biggest reason to own a pc is really all games for free, if it wasn't that I'd be only on console.
the funny thing is sony's basically bleeding exclusives now casue nintendo's taking most of the japanese studioes as multiplat.
Are you living in the same reality as the rest of us? Both Nintendo and Sony have a healthy exclusive and first party line up. I have been keeping track of this stuff pretty carefully since 2017.
variety? There's nothing on ps5 or ps4 like Ori, which is my second favourite game from last generation, there's also nothing like forza motorsport or even forza horizon, theres nothing on ps5 or ps4 like flight simulator.
With that said my most awaited game since GT6 is GT7, I skipped sport as that was focused on online.
With that said I love ps exclusives, I'm a huge fan of uncharted games and I loved spiderman even though it got a bit repetitive. And the new spiderman was far too short. I'm not a fan of bloodborne, not my type, but I love ghosts of tsushima, and my favourite game from last generation (and current gen) is ps4 exclusive, Resogun.
Then again one of my all time favourite games is Alan wake, I also loved max payne 3 and Quantum break, all on xbox and not ps.
My favourite game from current gen is Monster hunter Rise, and favourite from last year is Animal crossing.
So as you can see I love all consoles, I have all 3 platforms, sony, microsoft and Nintendo. Nothing can beat PC of course as you get the best selection of games by far and free 4k upgrades to all games.
Microsoft wins on controller by default, until sony comes up with their pro controller, I'm sorry but elite 2 is the best controller in the market, I cant even play shooters without the back buttons anymore.
With that said, I bought the Kontrolfreeks FPS galaxy for my ps5 controller and that improved it immensely.
You talk about xbox potential, do you even realize they bought bethesda and a few more? The makers of elder scrolls, fallout, doom, wolfenstein, Prey and more.
Both will have a great future ahead for anyone who enjoys games and Im happy to be able to play all great games coming.
You talk lack of exclusives on xbox, but ps5 is not much different, spiderman is also on ps4 and was more of a long dlc rather than a full game. Demon souls is a ps3 remake. Astro playroom was a demo and I disliked it, nowhere near any Nintendo platformers, I played it for like 20 minutes and deleted it. I was also never a fan of ratched and clank, because again its nowhere near Nintendo platformers for originality, with that said I will wait to try the new one until I make judgment, but if you ever played mario galaxy, mario odyssey, pikmin 3 and many other nintendo games you probably will find sony platformers just bland and souless.
The only PS5 exclusive I'm really interested to buy is Returnal, just because its from the makers of Resogun, I just dont want to pay 70 euros for it, yeah talking about that, microsoft games are 60 euros.
Also xbox just had the amazing Microsoft simulator, another type of game not available on ps4 or ps5.
In fact my most awaited stuff on ps5 is a software update, so I can organize stuff, the UI is a mess, surely it will improve, you cant even have your list of installed games, you get them separately by internal and external, mixed up with games I dont even own anymore.
Also its way cheaper and easier to add extra storage on xbox, just plug it in the back, currently on sale on amazon, with ps5 you need to meet specifications, you need to open the console and you need to add a ssd cooling and all that, not to mention the ps5 starts with less storage to begin, than xbox.
With that said, you'd be crazy to not want a ps5 considering all the great games from ps4 and ps5. Also the controller is better quality than ps4
"variety? There's nothing on ps5 or ps4 like Ori" Stopped reading there. What an absolutely absurd way to start.
You don't like PS exclusives? That's fine. I was explaining why people in general tend to prefer it. You having personal preferences does not negate the very real reasons why PS5 and the PS brand in general tend to do better than Xbox.
1-Smaller yes.
Sleeker, nicer design not really... PS5 lines are much more interesting than...a box
2- DS5 is fantastic and runs circles around XBSX's
Elite 1 or 2 do not count as sold separately,
Scuf basically makes an "elite" for PS5 if you must have some thing like that.
3- Sure but what is most important is last gen working with new gen and PS5 100% has that. Anything beyond is cute to have.
4- What? PS5 super quiet
5- PS5 can use previous gen controllers with PS4 games, you'd be missing out on so much using a DS4 for PS5 games and would also make dev less likely to support new features of DS5
6- your reaching.
7- debatable at this point
8- Sure
9- your reaching
10- Not true at all
11- XBSX on it's side looks rather silly and looks like it fell over since you can not remove the stand. PS5 let's you move it to Horizontal or Vert
12- Welp I agree there they took away some fantastic things from PS4 UI. But some missing features coming back, in Beta right now.
13- Notice how you listed nothing about the main focus for a console... games, and highly rated exclusive games. Not only that PS5 is VR capable, adding yet another distinct experience over XB. Last gen and seven months in... XB is lacking majorly in the games department, that my friend is why PS5 is so popular.
I do understand why most of the planet prefers PS5 by far.
As an answer to your words:
1 - XBox has a very non futuristic design, that is too basic.
2 - Please don't even think that XBox controller is anywhere close to the advantages that the PS5 controller has, MS PR said: "we will have some of the PS5 controller technologies in the near future", like Haptic feedback, etc.
3 - There goes the backwards compatibility talk again, why would you buy a new gen console just to play old games? Is it because you don’t have a single new gen game to play? or you miss the old games?
4 - It’s quieter? You can find many tests on the internet done by trusted companies. The noise level difference (on load) between the 2 consoles is only about 2 decibels, witch is practically not perceptible to a human being.
5 - Why would you use “old” controllers when the new ones are so much better, just to save a few bucks?
6 - You should always record your saves on the console, as clouds are not to be trusted, and saves use very little space.
7 - More powerful? The PS5 architecture is so much better designed that it outperforms Xbox X in almost every game compared on both. Ps5 has no bottleneck problems like Xbox X has, and ofcourse having a faster SSD speed makes it a better performer.
8 - PlayStation Now.
9 - Emulators? What do you mean, Gameboy, Snes, old fart games?
10 - Having disposable AA batteries on this times, is the biggest joke on any electronic equipment, it’s like trying to bring back the coal for the trains.
11 - At least you have both options on PS5. Xbox X would burn down if you lay it down on a hot day.
12 - Better UI? You say that because you always had a Xbox, PS5 UI is a leap forward and of course the Xbox UI was another big joke when it din’t even made the 4k resolution.
As for sales, world wide (even on the US) it’s still almost impossible to get a PS5, when you can easily find a Xbox X on the shelves (here in Europe), I never found a single PS5 on display.
I’m SURE this Gen it will be another bloodbath, PS5 will sell more that 2:1 compared to Xbox X, its happening already.
Come on man. I don't agree with what Victor says about everything because it is just not a big deal, but the fact you can't even give Xbox any props for doing certain things better, which it absolutely does, is petty.
Dude, I have to admit Xbox X is an amazing machine, and hope it sells well, competition is the best for the consumers.
You serious? Playstatiin has proved generation after generation that it's the place to be for better exclusives, both quality and quantity, ever since the launch of ps2. Do you get it, it's about the games.
If you really cared for games as much as you say, then you already have all 3 systems, any person who loves videogames must have all 3 systems, period. There's no way you can love games and not like elder scrolls, fallout, doom, wolfenstein, prey, Alan wake, quantum break, forza, halo, gears of war, Ori and more.
Same with switch, you really do not like videogames if you dont like any nintendo exclusive and there's plenty.
I wouldn't skip a ps or nintendo console on any generation, but this generation, a PC or xbox is also a must. If you disagree then I assume you are just a fanboy.
I never ever said ps5 is a bad console, I only said xbox series X is a better console, but both are great.
I never said what consoles I don't own. I made a point why I feel ps5 is better. How could you say xbox controller is better, when the dual sense is innovative and has proven as a next gen feature.
Also sony detailing 3d audio for ps5, while xbox doesn't. And then news of psvr2. It's clear that ps5 has more greater potential of a true next gen experience, while microsoft is banking on a game rental service.
Reasons why the xbox controller is better
1 - If feels nicer in the hand, the ps5 controller is a bit too big
2 - Off set sticks are just better, example, I keep having the issue that I also had on ps4 where my left thumb is sliding of the stick because most games you're moving forward, but on xbox, not only the grip is better, also the stick is more to the front making me thumb more relaxed when moving forward, this is mostly on shooters and open world games such as assassins creed.
3 - Battery life is almost 4x as long, and if you ever run out of battery, just swap your rechargeable battery
4 - Xbox biggest advantage by far is the option of the elite controller, which for me is a must specially for shooters, you get 4 back paddles, choice of 2 is you want, you get a choice of thumbsticks, you get a choice of thumbstick 3 tensions, you get a choice of 3 trigger travels, you get a choice of 2 types of cross, you get more powerful vibration which adds to the immersion. you get 40 hours of battery, you get a very nice long cable if you prefer to play wired, etc
5 - Xbox triggers are still much better, always have been, sony keeps improving but still not there
6 - Xbox D-pad is way better than the 4 separated buttons on ps
7 - Home and select buttons or whatever they're called these days, are way better positioned on xbox
8 - The main power button on the controller is way better on xbox, its well defined, on ps5 I keep hitting the microphone button instead
9 - Ps5 controller will break much quicker because of the triggers which are going to break, read the articles that talk about this
10 - Xbox controller is still much better for PC gaming too, as most PC games have the xbox controller layout, no need for extra apps or anything
OK moving on to the rest of your comment
1 - 3D audio is just a marketing word nothing else, I use the Astro A50 and I get no different sound on ps5, in fact the sound was better on my Xbox One X with Dolby. I would never use the sony pulse as that's too low quality for me, I love great sound.
The fact you mention audio means you don't even know what you're talking about as xbox has also 3d audio, just different selling words. Just google it.
2 - VR is nice but I hated it on ps4 due to all the cables around and all the fuss and need of space, it was a good experience but I went back to the traditional gaming way. Also PSVR2 will cost another 350 dollars most likely, on top of a 600-800 console with games that cost 70 dollars.
I admit that's a big ps5 advantage, but 95% of gamers wont even buy it.
3 - You keep talking about next gen experience but what's that? My PC has better graphics than both consoles, my PC already has ability for a better VR and option to watch movies on any kind of codecs, oh ps5 doesn't read HEVC for example, while xbox reads everything, in fact ps4 felt more like next gen than the ps5, as it had a better UI and could do more things.
Xbox external ssd cards also feels more next gen, the ps5 solution of adding an ssd I could do that already on PC and previous console.
PS5 is quieter now, is that next gen? The xbox one X was even quieter.
Or is it the fast loading times that you assume is next gen? Xbox also has fast load times and PCs haves had for many years.
Or maybe is the 680GB storage that you consider next gen? For the first time ever a new console releases with less storage than a previous gen model.
I have the PS5 and I don't see anything really next gen, coming from the ps4 pro and xbox one X. Both those previous consoles were smaller, had better designs, and in the case of PS also had better UI and more storage.
4 - Game rental service? For a low price you get access to over 100 games, including brand new releases, while sony doesn't have the option and on top of that they increased the price of games, maybe not a huge deal in USA its only 10 dollars more, but here in the UK games went from 45pounds, to around 60pounds, that's almost 20 dollars increase. But I guess if sony had the gamepass you'd be praising it right?
Stop denying. The controller with its haptic feedback and other features is next gen, the series x controller is not, andd does not offer new experiences.
You obviously never heard of psvr2. Regardless of how many people buy it or not, it's going to take gaming to new heights. The audio what you say exists now isn't the same as what sony is doing. I suggest you do some research.
As for gamepass, I already told you I don't want or need that service. Not all of us sit down gaming all day. Some of us have jobs, marriage life etc. I have a ps5 and i'm still playing catch up on ps4 titles I have, before I even start my ps5 games. On top of that I have ps plus download titles sitting in my library to last me a year. If I still need games, there are always sales on the store, games all the way down to $1.50. For the cost of gamepass, I can find 2 or 3 games to keep me busy. I picked up metro exodus under $10 the other day. I don't need to spend more money on gamepass when I won't even have time for it. And regarding gamepass, lets say I miss a game or I want to play it again but it's left the store, I will then have to pay for the game! And the discount to purchase is only 20 %. And seeing how digital titles are a rip off, if you take 20% of the xbox store price, you are still paying more than what I can get it for in physical form.
Knowing that a newer model of Switch comes very soon, I think the sales are still excellent.
Switch is the beast.And without oled preorders in this chart.Have you idea about preorders level?12 weeks preorders ..about 1-2 M extra?
For the gap to shrink series x/s would have to outsell the PS5 for the reporting period and that didn't happen all that happened was the gap grew, just at a lesser rate than the previous period.
The headline literally says "as the gap shrinks worldwide" and the gap isn't smaller it's grown, yes the the rate has changed but that will bounce around has supply comes in and out you need to take volume into account. my problem is the headline is misleading and makes it seem like the X/S is catching up rather than just a decrease from a supply peak.
My reply that you originally posted never used the word worldwide just the gap shrinks headline , you added worldwide in your reply so I assumed it was part of the headline , still its my fault for not rechecking the heading , I stand by it being misleading and fauzman at first assuming the Xbox had outsold the PS5 for the week demonstrates that, anyway it's no big deal just something that could be made clearer.
Irrelevant, these articles and comments are irrelevant, no one will actually know anything until there's plenty stock for both consoles. When I can easily go to a shop and buy either console then lets talk sales numbers. For all we know xbox sales could be 4 or 5x what it is.
I'm pretty sure everyone realises by now there is a shortage, my comment was about the wording nothing more the future will take care of itself , my only thought on your reply is AMD who handle the chip contracts with TSMC along MS and Sony have a pretty good idea of the demand ,and its interesting that when AMD secured all of Apples 7nm they directed all of it to the PS5 , but you are right both are selling at capacity ,what the ceiling is for each is anyone's guess but its pretty clear both will be high.
