From Polygon · Elijah Gonzalez · · 50s
Console Prices Drop Sales to New Lows
High console prices push Xbox and PlayStation sales to record lows.
In brief
High console prices push Xbox and PlayStation sales to record lows. Xbox and PlayStation hardware sales dropped 33% and 25% year-to-date in August 2026 due to AI component shortages. Originally reported by Polygon.
Xbox Sales Drop 33%
Xbox hardware sales fell 33% year-to-date in August 2026 compared to 2025.
PlayStation Sales Drop 25%
PlayStation hardware sales dropped 25% year-to-date in August 2026 compared to 2025.
Console Prices Surge
Xbox Series X now costs $799.99, up $300 from launch, while PS5 sold for $597, up 20%.
AI Component Shortage
RAM shortages from AI data centers have driven up console prices since 2025.
Sales at All-Time Lows
Xbox sales hit lowest August since 2020, PlayStation lowest since 2013.
The main idea
Xbox and PlayStation hardware sales dropped 33% and 25% year-to-date in August 2026 due to AI component shortages.
