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Sony losing about $37 on each PS3

December 12, 2009 in Industry News comments 10

Sony has been cutting features off the PS3 ever since launch in hopes to break even. Since it first released, it was losing a whopping $200 on each console sold. Now with the Slim released, Sony has gotten pretty close to breaking even. They are currently losing about $40 on each PS3 sold. That sure as hell a lot better than $200.

That means that while Sony is still losing about $37 per unit--plus somewhat more for marketing, royalties, box contents, and other expenses--it is for the first time closing in on breaking even with the console itself.

A Sony representative said Friday the company has a policy never to comment on the cost structure and breakdown of its hardware.

According to iSuppli, its 2008 analysis of the PS3's component costs showed that the then-$399 console was losing at least $50 per unit. So it's notable that even at the lower price, Sony is losing less money. Further, the analysis firm suggested that with component costs dropping rapidly, Sony could soon find itself making money on the PS3.
Sayyed via news.cnet.com »
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  • 1
    Red 9 Dec 12, 09
    Kudos to Sony; just a bit more and they'll finally be making a profit on the thing. Maybe tie it up with the competition (unlikely, but hey; optimism's always a good thing )
  • 2
    ruledbysecrecy Dec 12, 09
    Sony will easily turn a profit. This generation isn't coming to a close anytime soon. Anyone who thinks otherwise is far too nearsighted.

    Especially when you consider the next year for Sony. So many huge titles. God of War 3. Final Fantasy XIII. Even though FFXIII is multiplatform I don't think you'll be seeing many FF fans that have yet to buy a current-gen console picking up a 360 to play FFXIII, but I can easily see them picking up a PS3.
    • 0
      RaidenXS Dec 12, 09
      don't forget FFIV and Heavy Rain
  • 0
    ruledbysecrecy Dec 12, 09
    FF4 ?
    • 0
      Daweii Dec 13, 09
      Raiden means Final Fantasy XIV aka. Final Fantasy 14 which is out in a couple of years for Playstation 3 and PC. On the subject of breaking a profit they will easily do that, they are not short of AAA quality games for next year.
      • 0
        Red 9 Dec 13, 09
        Actually FF14 is due out for Spring 2010, last I checked...
        • 0
          Nagare Dec 13, 09
          That was FF13 last I checked
  • 0
    OuterHaven Dec 13, 09
    dont forget Last Guardian a mix of Shadow of the Colossus and ICO
    • 0
      Tenken Dec 13, 09
      You mean the one game that's grabbing me by the balls and forcing to me buy a PS3 when it comes out?

      Yeah, mustn't forget that one.
  • 0
    HisServant77 Dec 13, 09
    I was thinking this when they lowered the price of the PS3. They Finally started making a profit, then they lower the price again. I remember thinking, "Man, what, is Sony a glutten for punishment when it comes to loosing money on the PS3?!"

    I know they'll end up pulling through. Sony seems to be pretty confident and wise when it comes to how they deal with their systems like that. Always seems bad, but in the end they end up pulling through somehow. But still . . . seriously? I'd have to be EXTREMELY confident to pull some of the things Sony does

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