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Updated | PlayStation 5 production hits a chip-related obstacle but Sony secures US supply method for the likely affordable PS5 console

TSMC has been manufacturing the AMD processors for both Sony's PS5 consoles and Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S. (Image source: PCGamesN)
TSMC has been manufacturing the AMD processors for both Sony's PS5 consoles and Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S. (Image source: PCGamesN)
A new report has stated that there have been issues with the yield for the SoC that will be the key component of the upcoming PlayStation 5 console, with Sony having to reduce the total hardware production. However, it seems the company has sufficient means of supply for the US and an analyst believes the PS5 prices are going to be affordable.
Sony has stated that there has been no change in production numbers.

Update September 15: Sony has sent the following statement to GamesIndustry.biz: "While we do not release details related to manufacturing, the information provided by Bloomberg is false. We have not changed the production number for PlayStation 5 since the start of mass production."

Original story:

Bloomberg has reported some perturbing news about the chip yield for the PlayStation 5’s SoC. Apparently, low 50% semiconductor yields have been produced, meaning that Sony has had to cut the total amount of consoles it will be manufacturing for the initial period of the PS5’s life cycle. The same source claims that production will be reduced from an estimated 15 million units to 11 million units.

It appears Sony has been busy preparing to ship the PS5 to the lucrative US market at least, with games analyst Daniel Ahmad posting about the company’s efforts. Around 60 flights (or aircraft) have been chartered to send the next-gen console to North America via Delta Air Cargo. As Ahmad points out, air freight is more expensive than sea freight, which may end up being reflected in the final PS5 price.

However, another analyst, Bloomberg’s Masahiro Wakasugi has a reassuring statement for concerned PS5 fans, opining that the Digital Edition console could “dip below US$400”, as many are expecting, and that the regular PS5 “may be priced as low as US$449”. While there are some unsubstantiated rumblings that the low processor yield could force Sony to downgrade the specifications of its console, it seems more likely the company will simply lower the planned production run as reported by Bloomberg rather than face a potential scandal.

Source(s)

Bloomberg (subscription required) & @ZhugeEX & @6d6f636869 & @SenninSage

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2020 09 > PlayStation 5 production hits a chip-related obstacle but Sony secures US supply method for the likely affordable PS5 console
Daniel R Deakin, 2020-09-15 (Update: 2020-09-30)