PS5 surpasses PS3 in U.S. lifetime sales

The PlayStation 5 has surpassed the PlayStation 3 in lifetime sales in the United States, according to U.S. retail tracking data for September 2025 analyzed by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. The milestone comes less than five years after the PS5's November 2020 debut and marks a notable recovery of momentum for Sony's current console generation.

Circana's analysis shows the PS5 has now exceeded the roughly 23 million PlayStation 3 units sold in the U.S. over that console's lifetime. Piscatella summarized the development succinctly, writing, "The PlayStation 5 has now surpassed the PlayStation 3 in lifetime installed base." Industry analysts point to a combination of factors behind the surge, including improved supply after early production constraints, higher retail prices, and increased revenue from subscriptions and digital sales that have made the generation particularly lucrative for Sony.

The PS3 struggled in its early years against strong competition from Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii, though it ultimately sold about 87 to 88 million units worldwide. By contrast, Sony reported global PS5 shipments of just over 80 million as of August 2025, putting the console...