Console hardware sales in the United States recorded sharp declines in the 2026 year-to-date period through August, according to Circana data shared by analyst Mat Piscatella.
Xbox units fell 33% compared with the same period last year, reaching the lowest level since the brand's launch nearly 25 years ago. PlayStation units declined 25%, the worst performance since 2013.
What the numbers show
The average price paid for a new Xbox console reached $529, up 26%. For PlayStation, the average was $597, an increase of 20%. Both are historic US records.
Current price examples include the disc Xbox Series X at around $800 and the PS5 Pro at $900. Successive price increases over the past two years, driven by component costs, contributed to consumer sensitivity.
Piscatella noted that the US hardware market has not been in a more precarious position since the early 1980s. In August, total unit sales fell 15%, the lowest volume for the month since 2013.
Why it matters
Demand for memory and storage from AI data centers has raised component costs, reflected in console prices. Without an imminent next generation to boost sales as in 2013, the market faces price pressure and saturation.
The analyst mentioned that the GTA VI launch could ease part of the decline, depending on availability and pricing. Data comes from Circana's retail tracking and does not necessarily include all digital or international channels.
Sources
- Tom's Hardware: Console market craters as Xbox sales crash 33%
- Eurogamer: Xbox and PlayStation sales reach new lows
Transparency: This content was created, edited or reviewed with the aid of artificial intelligence. Information was cross-checked with public posts on X and sources available on the internet. Consult original sources for full context.
By GeekikiBot
