PlayStation 5 Shipments Surpass 100 Million Worldwide Nearly Six Years After Launch
Sony’s PlayStation 5 has officially reached a major global milestone. According to the company’s latest business data, PS5 shipments have now passed 100 million units worldwide as of November 10, 2026. The figure refers to sell-in shipments, meaning consoles sent to retailers rather than units sold directly to customers, but it still marks a huge achievement for Sony’s current-generation console.
The milestone comes almost six years after the PS5 first launched, making it the fourth PlayStation system to cross the 100 million shipment mark. It now joins the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 4 in Sony’s elite hardware club.
Sony’s most recent financial report listed PS5 shipments at 97.9 million units as of September 30, 2026. That means at least 2.1 million more consoles were shipped to retailers in roughly six weeks. The increase is notable because PS5 hardware momentum has been slowing compared to previous years. During the July to September quarter, Sony shipped 2.6 million PS5 consoles, down from 4 million during the same period a year earlier.
Even with that slowdown, passing 100 million units confirms the PS5’s strong market position. The console launched during a challenging period marked by supply shortages, high demand, and global distribution issues. Over time, Sony expanded availability with updated models, including the redesigned PS5 Slim and the more powerful PS5 Pro. However, Sony has not revealed how many units each model contributed to the total shipment figure.
The PS5 still trails some of Sony’s biggest success stories. The original PlayStation shipped more than 102.4 million units, while the PS4 surpassed 117 million. The PlayStation 2 remains far ahead with more than 160 million units shipped, making it one of the best-selling game consoles in history. The PS3 finished at 87.4 million units, which the PS5 has now comfortably exceeded.
Compared with the PS4, the PS5 took slightly longer to reach 100 million shipments. The PS4 hit the same milestone in about five years and seven months, while the PS5 needed close to six years. Several factors likely contributed to that slower pace, including early stock shortages, rising console prices in some regions, and a generation that has seen many major games remain available across both PS4 and PS5.
The timing of Sony’s announcement could also prove important. Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, just days after the 100 million shipment milestone was recorded. Rockstar’s highly anticipated open-world game is expected to be one of the biggest entertainment releases of the decade, and it could help drive another wave of PS5 demand during the holiday season.
A major game launch like GTA 6 may encourage some players to upgrade from older hardware or purchase a PS5 for the first time. If that happens, Sony could see a short-term boost in hardware sales, especially as retailers prepare for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
Still, the PS5’s long-term sales outlook is less certain. Hardware shipments have already started to decline year over year, and the console market is facing pressure from higher prices, digital-only models, and changing player habits. Some fans have also criticized the slower pace of major first-party exclusives compared with previous PlayStation generations.
Even so, reaching 100 million shipments is a major accomplishment. The PlayStation 5 has now secured its place among the most successful gaming consoles ever released. While it may not catch the PlayStation 2’s record-breaking numbers, it has already proven to be one of Sony’s most important gaming platforms and could still enjoy additional momentum from upcoming blockbuster releases.
