The lack of semiconductors means that there might still be a lack of stocks in the stores for the coming months, too.

It’s been more than four months since the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X, and the Xbox Series S launched. Ever since then, there has been a distinct lack of them in the stores (partially due to scalpers), due to the coronavirus global pandemic that has been rough on the industry. And, according to The Guardian‘s article, it won’t get any better.

„Chips are everything. There is a perfect storm of supply and demand factors going on here. But basically, there is a new level of demand that can’t be kept up with, everyone is in crisis and it is getting worse,” Neil Campling, a media and tech analyst at Mirabaud wrote. And it doesn’t simply affect the next generation of PlayStation and Xbox. It also hits at car or phone manufacturers, so companies like Ford, Apple, Samsung, Nissan, and General Motors have to adjust inventory and manufacturing, and even the release dates in a few cases.

„There is no sign of supply catching up, or demand decreasing, while prices are rising across the chain. This will cross over to people in the street. Expect cars to cost more, phones to cost more. This year’s iPhone is not going to be cheaper than last year,” Campling added. And in the middle of a pandemic, it’s going to be more of a sting, especially for those who aren’t as wealthy as those who can easily afford such hardware. So the lower classes might see less consumption, while the upper classes might see an uptick, which wouldn’t balance things out.

So Microsoft’s previous comment (things will get easier from the Spring) might not be true anymore…

Source: PSL