PS5 Surpasses PS3 in US Sales Within Five Years of Launch

Sony can celebrate another triumph—its PlayStation 5 has surpassed the older PlayStation 3 in total sales within the United States. The new console achieved this feat in less than five years, surpassing the performance of its predecessor, which was launched back in 2006.

This information was shared by analyst Circana’s own Mat Piscatella on the Bluesky platform. According to him, in September 2025, the PS5 overtook the PS3 in the sales of units for the first time. He did not disclose exact numbers—reports from Circana are available only through subscription—but highlighted that the PS5 also exceeds PS4 sales when comparing the same time frame after launch. Currently, the difference stands at around 4.6 percent in favor of the latest console.

By comparison, according to Sony’s official data, the PlayStation 3 sold over 87 million units worldwide, the PS4 exceeded 113 million, while the PlayStation 2 holds the record with approximately 160 million units sold.

In August, Sony reported that total PS5 sales reached 80.3 million consoles. This rate closely mirrors the sales performance of the PS4 during a similar phase of its lifecycle. The company’s next financial report is expected on November 11.

However, Sony is already forecasting a slowdown in sales. The company believes that the console has reached its peak popularity, with economic challenges and rising prices inhibiting future growth. Current gaming consoles are costing consumers more than ever.

Meanwhile, Microsoft, a key competitor to the Japanese corporation, is actively assisting «Team Blue» with their gaming business. Recently, «the folks at Microsoft» have increased prices for the Xbox Series, and even developer kits have become $500 more expensive. It seems that Sony’s dominance in the console market is far from over.