PS5 hits 4m UK sales, 31 weeks slower than PS4

PlayStation 5 has now sold four million consoles in the UK, according to data from GfK.

It's the ninth console to achieve that feat in the UK, but it took 31 weeks longer to arrive than the PlayStation 4.

It is the fifth fastest-selling console in the UK, although its price is comparatively much higher than previous consoles. The PlayStation 1, for example (which is the fourth fastest-selling console) dropped to £129 after 76 weeks on sale and was under £100 when it hit four million sales.

In terms of revenue, the PS5 has generated more than any other console at this point in sales, generating just under £1.85bn in revenue (compared to £1.26bn for the PS4).

The Nintendo Wii is the fastest console to reach four million (it was also the fastest to one million along with the PS5, and the fastest to two and three million). Its launch price was £180 and after three years it was £140. The PS2 was the second fastest to four million, launching at £299, rising to £199 after 49 weeks and had an average price of £165 when it hit four million units.

The PS4, which is the third fastest console to reach four million units, was comparatively more expensive but still under £300 when it hit four million units.

“The days of razors and razor blades, when consoles were sold at almost impulse prices, are over,” says GfK's head of gaming, Dorian Bloch. “Whether due to launch or steep price reductions over time, Wii, PS1, PS2 and Xbox 360 all had low cumulative average sales prices when they reached 4 million units.”

Number of weeks to reach 4 million sales in the UK (GfK data)