Sony has significantly outperformed Microsoft in console shipments in the first quarter of 2024. Sony’s PlayStation 5 (PS5) shipped nearly five times as many units as Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S. This data comes from sales tracker Niko Partners, with insights provided by Daniel Ahmad, a research director at the company.
During the three months ending in March, Sony shipped 4.5 million PS5 units, raising the lifetime total to 59.3 million. On the other hand, Microsoft did not disclose exact sales figures for the Xbox Series X/S. However, it was noted that Xbox hardware revenues dropped by 31% year-over-year.
In a broader scope, Sony’s PS5 has consistently outsold the Xbox Series X|S since their launch in November 2020. Specifically, in 2023, PS5 sales were nearly three times those of Xbox Series X|S, according to research firm Ampere Analysis. Furthermore, Microsoft has acknowledged its position behind PlayStation and Nintendo, marking a strategic pivot in their approach.
Reflecting on their long-term strategy, Microsoft has acquired significant titles like Minecraft and Call of Duty, positioning Xbox as a major publisher across competitive platforms. Recently, Microsoft announced plans to introduce more first-party games to other platforms, starting with titles like Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded.
This strategic move highlights a shift in Microsoft’s approach as they aim to expand their presence across different gaming platforms despite the challenges in hardware sales.
