PlayStation 5 shipments from backend service providers have reportedly begun

Backend service providers have reportedly begun delivering PlayStation 5 shipments ahead of the console’s launch later this year.

According to DigiTimes, Taiwanese companies including ASE Technology and Greatek Electronics have both commenced PS5 shipments.

ASE Technology is a provider of semiconductor manufacturing and testing services, while Greatek Electronics specialises in integrated circuit assembly and testing.

During Sony’s first quarter earnings call on Tuesday the company said PS5 production was progressing smoothly.

Two PS5 models are scheduled to launch during the 2020 holiday season. While one will have an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive, the other will sacrifice the feature, likely for a lower price point. According to recent analysis, the PS5 Digital Edition could cost $50 less than the disc version.

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PS5 production has reportedly doubled, but 2020 supply issues are still possible

Sony 'orders 10 million units' in 2020, up from 5-6

Sony will reveal its next PS5 announcement this month, according to a new report from Bloomberg, which cites an anonymous source from the PlayStation firm.

Macquarie Capital analyst Damian Thong told the publication he expects the standard PS5 console to cost around $500 and the digital version around $400. Altogether, he forecasts Sony will sell over six million units by the end of March 2020.

Another recent DigiTimes report claimed the PS5 life cycle could be shorter than previous console generations at five years. During that period, supply sources estimate shipments of the console will reach at least 120 million units—approximately double those of Microsoft‘s rival next-gen system, Xbox Series X, which also launches later this year—and perhaps as high as 170 million.

In mid-July Sony shot down rumours that it was about to open PS5 pre-orders, telling players it would provide advance notice when it plans to do so.

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Sony 'struggling with PS5 price as manufacturing costs hit $450'

Report claims PS5 price plans impacted by a scarcity of components