PlayStation 5 Surpasses PS3 Sales Nearly Six Years After Launch

The PlayStation 5 has reached a major milestone nearly six years into its lifecycle. According to Sony’s latest financial report, the current-generation console has officially surpassed the lifetime sales of the PlayStation 3, cementing its place as one of Sony’s most successful platforms to date.

This achievement highlights the PS5’s continued momentum, even as conversations around the next generation of consoles slowly begin to surface.

🎮 PS5 Officially Passes PS3 Sales

Sony’s Q3 fiscal year 2025 earnings report, covering the period from October 1 through December 31, revealed that the PlayStation 5 sold 8.1 million units during the quarter. That surge brought the console’s total lifetime sales to 92.2 million units.

With this update, the PS5 has officially surpassed the PlayStation 3, which sold 87.4 million units over its entire lifespan. While this milestone doesn’t yet place the PS5 above the PlayStation 4’s total, it marks an important benchmark in Sony’s hardware history.

📈 How PS5 Compares to Other PlayStation Consoles

While overtaking the PS3 is significant, the PS5 still trails behind some of Sony’s most iconic systems.

Key comparisons include:

The PlayStation 4 remains ahead with over 117 million units sold
The PlayStation 2 continues to hold the all-time record with more than 160 million units sold
The PS5 is tracking closely with where the PS4 was at a similar point in its lifecycle

These numbers suggest the PS5 remains on a strong long-term trajectory.

⏳ A Longer Lifecycle May Be Ahead

Traditionally, PlayStation consoles follow an eight-year lifecycle, which would place the PS5 closer to its later years. However, industry speculation suggests the next PlayStation console may arrive later than initially expected.

Factors influencing this potential delay include:

Rising component and memory costs
Ongoing supply chain challenges
Statements from Sony leadership pointing to a longer development window

If the next-generation console launches later in the decade, the PS5 could enjoy an extended lifecycle that continues to drive sales growth.

🛒 Software Sales Are Setting Records

While hardware sales were slightly lower year-over-year, Sony reported record-breaking software sales on the PlayStation Store during the same quarter.

Several high-profile releases contributed to this performance, including:

Major sports and multiplayer titles
Large-scale open-world releases
Strong-performing first-party sequels

Sony also highlighted that newer releases outperformed some of its most established franchises during the same sales window, reinforcing strong player engagement across the platform.

🚀 Upcoming Releases Could Boost PS5 Sales Further

Looking ahead, anticipation surrounding major upcoming releases is expected to fuel additional console sales. Industry analysts believe blockbuster launches later this year could drive new hardware adoption, particularly among players waiting for must-play experiences before upgrading.

With major titles on the horizon, the PS5 is well-positioned to maintain strong momentum well into the future.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Surpassing the PlayStation 3 is a defining moment for the PlayStation 5, showcasing its sustained popularity nearly six years after launch. While it still has ground to cover to catch the PS4 and PS2, strong software performance, major upcoming releases, and a potentially extended lifecycle suggest the PS5’s story is far from finished.

As Sony continues to invest in both hardware and software, the PS5 remains a central pillar of the gaming landscape.