Toshiba executives recently informed Bloomberg that the semiconductor shortfall, which is affecting the manufacture of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, may not be resolved until next year. For the past 18 months, console makers have been dealing with pandemic-related stock shortages.
Previously, companies like AMD anticipated that the problem would last until 2021, with electronics maker Foxconn predicting that supply bottlenecks would last until at least mid-2022.
Despite the fact that both Microsoft’s and Sony’s newest consoles are still tough to come by, internal sales for both continue to reach new highs. For example, the Xbox Series X|S is the fastest-selling Xbox console in history, with an estimated 6.5 million units sold as of June 30.
Meanwhile, according to Sony’s financials, the PlayStation 5 surpassed 10 units sold on July 18 to become the company’s fastest-selling hardware. However, if it weren’t for the never-ending semiconductor shortages, each of the IT behemoths might be selling even more gadgets. Despite the efforts of Microsoft and Sony to obtain supply, it appears that widespread shortages will continue for another year or two.
Toshiba confirmed to Bloomberg (via VGC) that it will be unable to fulfill semiconductor orders for the coming year. According to Takeshi Kamebuchi, one of Toshiba’s semiconductor production executives, the chip scarcity might go until 2022 in some circumstances.
Low materials and market demand surpassing output, according to Kamebuchi, are the causes behind the company’s production constraints. “Game console producers are among the consumers making the biggest demands,” Kamebuchi said, “and I’m truly sorry for their dissatisfaction since none of them has a 100 percent satisfaction.”
Manufacturers are said to be planning to modify their hardware’s circuit boards in order to reduce the number of needed components. (As many people are aware, Sony has previously released a lighter PlayStation 5 variant.)
Toshiba’s expectations are similar to those expressed by other businesses. In fact, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger predicted that broad demand would continue to be unmet for another year or two in a July earnings call.
Of course, consoles aren’t the only devices affected by the chip scarcity. Every level of the IT sector has been impacted, with smartphones, laptops, automobiles, and more all anxiously waiting for the tide to turn, despite the fact that major changes are unlikely to happen anytime soon.
