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Pricing for the PS5 could start at $ 399 for the digital-only option, and $ 499 for the disk-based system, new store catalogs hint.
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El Corte Inglés, the largest department store retailer in Spain, has reported added two mystery consoles to its internal database: Aurea for $ 399 and Enigma for $ 499. These are probably code names for the PlayStation 5 duo. If accurate, this would put the discless PlayStation 5 at $ 399, effectively sealing the 9th generation for Sony.
These names seem to match the previous codenames used for Sony PlayStation hardware:
- Orbis – PS4
- Neo – PS4 Pro
- Morpheus – PSVR
- Bow – PS Movement
If accurate, Sony would be taking a hit on every console sold, which is to be expected. Console makers are more comfortable selling hardware at a loss because lucrative multi-billion dollar storefronts like the PlayStation Network will offset these costs. Estimates put the total manufacturing cost of the PS5 at approximately $ 450, which does not include shipping and retail costs.
The PlayStation 5 base disc at $ 499 is something we predicted a long time ago and it makes sense for both Sony and consumers. The $ 100 premium would reflect the freedom to load discs, buy used games, and watch 4K UHD DVDs and Blu-rays.
A $ 399 digital-only option will be a huge win for Sony on two fronts: Gamers will be exclusively locked into their digital ecosystem and will only buy games directly from the PS Store, and Sony will enjoy a massive higher volume of console sales due to the lower MSRP.
Sony is already enjoying massive success with digital earnings, especially in the first quarter of 2020, where it had the highest earnings record of any gaming company in gaming history. Sony made $ 3.6 billion of digital software in the first quarter of 2020 of a record 91 million game sales (74% of which were digital).
The PlayStation 5 is hardware and software earnings are expected to further increaseSony says, and the digital-only version of the PS5 is a big reason for that.
Sony has yet to announce PlayStation 5 pricing, but we should see the official MSRP and availability during the new event this Wednesday, September 16 at 3PM EST.
Check below for spec comparisons between generations:
