We’re in the middle of a PS5 Pro shortage and GTA 6 will only make it worse
Sony has warned that PS5 Pro supply constraints will continue until at least 2027, even as demand surges ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6's release on 19 November. The Japanese electronics firm has told distribution partners that "temporary market supply constraints and high demand" will limit global console availability for months. With enthusiasm for both the upgraded hardware and the long-awaited GTA 6 building momentum, supply shortages are likely to intensify.
The PS5 Pro, launched in November 2024, features upgraded specifications including an enhanced GPU, advanced ray tracing and 2TB storage. Current retail prices exceed the original $699.99 asking price by approximately $200, whilst resellers have inflated prices further, with some units listed above $1,500. The shortages stem from industry-wide semiconductor constraints driven by artificial intelligence demand, echoing challenges Sony faced during the PS5 launch in 2020.
- PS5 Pro shortages expected through 2027
- GTA 6 launch will intensify console demand
- PS5 Pro consoles reselling for $1,500 and beyond
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Sony has warned that its PS5 Pro console will remain scarce until 2027. The PS5 Pro is an upgraded PlayStation 5 console launched in November 2024 with improved performance and storage compared to the standard version.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is one of this year's most anticipated video games, releasing on 19 November. The franchise is hugely popular worldwide, and major game releases typically trigger a sharp increase in console sales as gamers want the latest hardware.
The shortage stems from a global shortage of semiconductors, the computer chips that power all modern electronics. Demand from the artificial intelligence sector has strained the worldwide supply of these chips, making it harder for manufacturers like Sony to produce enough consoles.
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The case for
A major consumer electronics company launching a premium console should ensure adequate supply to meet foreseeable demand, particularly when a landmark gaming release is imminent. Sony's inability to secure sufficient semiconductors reflects poor planning and corporate accountability, and the resulting shortages combined with reseller markups of up to £1,500 above retail price effectively lock ordinary consumers out of accessing the product. This represents a failure of responsibility during what should be a celebration of major gaming releases.
The case against
Global semiconductor shortages are a genuine constraint driven by artificial intelligence demand across the industry, creating real scarcity that no single consumer electronics company can unilaterally overcome. Sony has responsibly communicated supply constraints transparently to distribution partners and consumers, which is the appropriate response when fundamental supply cannot be quickly increased. Price inflation reflects genuine market scarcity rather than corporate failure, and the company cannot reasonably be expected to solve a market-wide chip shortage extending across the entire technology sector. These supply challenges are industry-wide rather than unique to Sony's planning.