PS5 Pro has sold out at several major US retailers, but an industry analyst says GTA VI’s approaching launch is not driving a buying frenzy. Daniel Ahmad believes the paradox is actually caused by price increases and tighter memory supplies linked to the AI boom.

Several major US retailers have run out of PS5 Pro units, with the console currently available mainly through PlayStation Direct. It would be easy to attribute the situation to anticipation surrounding GTA VI, due on November 19, but Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad points to a different explanation.

According to Ahmad, PlayStation is facing a “slight paradox.” Higher console prices have reduced demand overall, while the shortages are being caused by lower supply rather than a sudden surge in sales.

The AI boom is reaching the console market

One major factor is the vast amount of memory being absorbed by data centers built for artificial intelligence. Geopolitical uncertainty is adding further pressure, making key components more expensive and harder for manufacturers to secure.

Ahmad argues that even last year’s supply levels would not automatically result in sellouts because of GTA VI, as price increases have weakened consumer demand. Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki expects memory prices to remain elevated during fiscal 2027, while Lenovo has warned that the component crunch could last beyond 2030.

Sony is also no longer prioritizing aggressive PS5 unit sales during the second half of the generation. The company is increasingly focused on recurring revenue from the PlayStation Network, which has more than 125 million monthly active users.

Source: 3DJuegos