The PlayStation 5 (PS5) has been a driving force in the gaming industry since its launch, and as we approach PS5 2025, there’s growing excitement about its progress. With new games, hardware updates, and evolving competition, understanding where the PS5 stands in 2025 is essential for both gamers and industry watchers. In this article, we'll review sales figures, compare the PS5 to competing and legacy consoles, and provide insights into its prospects for the coming years.
The PlayStation 5 continues to impress, selling over 75 million units within 53 months of release. While sales have remained robust, the console still faces stiff competition, most notably from the Nintendo Switch. According to VGChartz, in March 2025, the Switch's lead over PS5 increased slightly by 0.07 million units. Over the past year, the Switch has outsold the PS5 by over 8 million units globally, meaning the PS5 now trails the Switch by about 13.4 million units at this point.
These figures show that despite the PS5's strong start, catching up to the Switch’s lifetime sales remains a formidable challenge. However, surpassing 75 million units so quickly is still a significant achievement for Sony.
Putting PS5’s performance in context with its predecessors reveals further insights. In a direct comparison with the PlayStation 3, the PS5 has pulled well ahead. By March 2025, PS5 had sold 75.28 million units, compared to the PS3's 49.87 million at the same point in its lifecycle. In fact, the PS5 reached the 75 million milestone more than two years faster than the PS3. The PS5 currently leads the PS3 by over 25 million units.
But the journey doesn’t end there. In terms of lifetime totals, the PS3 eventually surpassed 87 million units. With the PS5’s current momentum, it’s likely to meet or exceed this figure, but it still has to contend with ongoing industry competition and consumer trends.
The PS5’s market position becomes even clearer when you look at the broader console environment, especially in relation to the Xbox Series X|S. The two consoles have a combined total of just over 108 million units sold. However, they still lag behind their previous-generation counterparts, the PS4 and Xbox One, which sold a combined 117.6 million units in the equivalent timeframe. For a more detailed breakdown, review this PS5 and Xbox Series X|S vs. PS4 and Xbox One sales comparison.
Several factors contribute to these trends, including hardware shortages in the earlier years, shifting gamer demographics, and the growing appeal of Nintendo’s hybrid approach with the Switch. Nonetheless, the PS5 continues to see strong software and hardware sales in key regions.
As the PlayStation 5 enters its fifth year, fans and analysts are eager to see what’s next. Industry chatter points to new exclusive titles, possible hardware refreshes, and expanded PlayStation Plus offerings that could push the PS5’s appeal even further. The console’s impressive sales trajectory hints at continued success, but with new competitors on the horizon and changing gamer preferences, the landscape remains dynamic.
The story of PS5 2025 is one of momentum, competition, and promise. Despite facing stiff challenges from the Switch and lagging behind past generation combined sales, the PS5 has enjoyed record-setting achievements and maintains strong prospects for future growth. As we look ahead, gamers can expect more innovations and exciting titles as Sony continues to refine its next-gen experience.
For deeper comparative sales data, check out the full PS5 vs Switch, PS5 vs PS3, and PS5/Xbox Series vs PS4/Xbox One analyses on VGChartz to stay informed on the latest trends.