GAMERS will be able to get their hands on a PS5 console this week as seven top UK retailers are planning restocks.
Argos, Amazon, Very, Currys, John Lewis, AO, GAME and Very are all tipped to have consoles on sale this week after bagging new supplies from Sony.
According to an alleged leak from the Argos warehouse, consoles arrived last Friday with the coveted console being sold in dribs and drabs online bewteen tomorrow and Thursday this week.
Since its launch last November, millions of gamers around the world have struggled to bag a PlayStation 5.
With restock rumours swirling continually, only the quickest off the mark at shops like Very and Amazon have been able to pick one up so far.
Follow our PS5 live blog below for the very latest news, updates and stock drop rumours…
- John Hall
OUT OF STOCK AT GAME
The PS5 is still out of stock at GAME, despite rumours that a new drop might be on the way.
Since it was released in November, the console has been a major hit with gamers and has sold out quickly.
Some people spend hours in virtual queues to try and get their favourite tech gadget.
- John Hall
HIGH DEMAND
Sony says: “To purchase a PS5 console, you must have a PSN account and be signed in on PlayStationDirect.com. Due to high demand, PS5 consoles are limited to 1 per household.
“At this time only customers with a billing and shipping address located in the United States may purchase from direct.playstation.com.”
- John Hall
DROP AT SONY DIRECT EXPECTED TOMORROW
Sony Direct could have its next PS5 drop as early as tomorrow, according to Birmingham Live.
This weekend, there was some stock available, but it sold out quickly.
There are hopes that the next restock could happen soon.
- John Hall
GAME ON
A staggering 4.5million Playstation 5 consoles were sold in the last two months of 2020.
Sony released this impressive figure alongside its latest earnings report.
The PS5 launched on November 12 and fans scrambled to get their hands on one.
- John Hall
GAMES OUT IN MARCH
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – March 2
- Control: Ultimate Edition – March 2
- Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 4 – March 11
- Returnal – March 19
- Balan Wonderworld – March 26
- It Takes Two – March 26
- Terminator: Resistance Enhanced – March 26
- Tennis World Tour 2 – March 2021 (tentative)
ARGOS RESTOCK TO COME THIS WEEK
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week are believed to be possible dates for Argos’ next PS5 drop.
“Argos will go live next week rather than the week after,” Twitter tipster @PS5StockAlertUK said.
“I will announce an exact date when possible in a few days.”
CHANGE NEEDED
Mr Nispel, from Extreme Networks, added: "This is a serious problem that highlights chronic underinvestment in the latest generation network infrastructure in the UK that is meant to make access to any cloud service possible without constraints.
"These networks are needed to power the technologies of tomorrow, from the latest online gaming experiences to cutting-edge advances in science and even the tools that make the future of work a reality for many businesses.
"Hopefully the PlayStation 5 will be the catalyst that brings about much-needed change to ensure consumers – wherever they may be based in the UK – can all enjoy the same reliable gaming experience."
CONNECTIVITY GAP
Extreme Networks’ VP International Markets, Markus Nispel, said that gamers can have very different experiences depending on the type of broadband connectivity available in their location.
He told The Sun: "The PlayStation 5 has been a knockout success in the UK – to the point where, almost 3 months on, it is still very hard to get your hands on the console.
"But even for those lucky enough to own one, the experience can be vastly different based on their location.
"The new console has laid bare the problematic connectivity gap between rural and urban areas in the UK.
"In many locations, it is difficult to get the kind of broadband connectivity required to enjoy a seamless online gaming experience – especially for consumers that own the digital version and need to download each game individually, some of which can be up to 100GB in size."
ROUND TWO
Sony's smash-hit PlayStation 5 might be far easier to find in 2021, experts claim.
The Japanese gaming giant is tipped to be mass-producing 18million consoles ready for stores next year.
- Chiara Fiorillo
ARGOS 'STOCKPILING AHEAD OF DROP'
Argos is said to be stockpiling PS5s ahead of its next drop, according to pundits on Twitter.
It is not clear when restock will be.
Some people believe that February 22 is the most likely day, while others are suggesting today or tomorrow.
- John Hall
RESTOCK HOPES
Restocks have started to become more frequent the further we get into February.
Argos is expecting stock of consoles mid-late February while Very is expecting them "soon", according to EuroGamer.
The site reports that Symths Toys are expecting more this month as well.
- John Hall
GAMES OUT THIS MONTH
- Control: Ultimate Edition – February 2
- Outriders – February 2
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood – February 4
- The Nioh Collection – February 5
- Riders Republic – February 25
- Destruction AllStars – February 2021 (tentative)
PROFIT DENT
Sony said the new console’s launch cut into the company’s profit gains.
Sony also revealed a dent from selling PS5 hardware at “strategic price points” for less than it costs the firm to manufacture.
Rival Microsoft, which launched the Xbox Series X and Series S around the same time as the PS5 in November, has not shared exact figures for its next-generation consoles but said in its latest quarter filing that hardware revenue had jumped 86%.
HIGH DEMAND
Sony sold 4.5 million PlayStation 5 units in 2020 amid high demand for the next-generation console in the lead-up to Christmas.
It is the same amount as the Japanese tech giant sold of its predecessor, the PlayStation 4, when it launched in 2013.
PS5’s arrival, alongside strong software sales and 1.4 million PS4 purchases, helped Sony’s gaming business make 883.2 billion yen (£6.1 billion) in revenue for its latest quarter, an increase of 40% over 2019.
ANTICIPATION BUILDING OVER PS5 STOCK ACROSS GAME, AMAZON ARGOS, VERY AND JOHN LEWIS
There is huge "anticipation of stock by most retailers this week", reports @PS5Instant on Twitter.
They are providing PS5 buyers live streaming of its "stock checker for most of the week.
"It will make a loud siren sound upon stock drop, so you can use it as an alarm if you'd like too."
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