Finding a PS5 could finally get easier next year — here's why

Photo of PS5
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

It might finally get easier to find a PS5 or Xbox Series X, as well as desirable gaming tech like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 come the second half of 2022. 

As least that's going off the back of a CNBC interview with AMD's CEO Dr Lisa Su, who said the great semiconductor shortage could finally come to and end from mid next year. And if that happens, it could get a lot easier to grab an Xbox Series X restock or PS5 restock as AMD privies the chips that power those consoles. 

Su said that the chip industry has "always gone through cycles of ups and downs, where demand has exceeded supply," though the AMD CEO also noted that "this time, it's different." Of course, Su doesn't expect this change to happen instantly. 

According to Su, the situation will improve at a steady pace as it will take time for the manufacturing capacity to return to normal. "It might take, you know, 18 to 24 months to put on a new plant, and in some cases even longer than that,” she explained.

But it looks like the situation may get worse before it gets better, as Su had noted that the first half of 2022 will be "likely tight." This is something we've heard before with a shortage of chip indicating that buying a PS5 or Xbox Series X probably won't get easier before 2023, though Su's forecast might be a little more hopeful than previous reports.  

Over the past two years, the global chip shortage has drastically affected the chip making industry, resulting in the reduced production of desirable tech, and thus an inflation of prices for games consoles and powerful computing tech as demand outstrips supply. 

It's hard to forecast whether it will all come to an end anytime soon, however Su's words make us hopeful that we don't have to wait for years. Time will tell, of course, but we're hopeful 2022 will bring with it a positive wind of change. 

Denise Primbet
News Writer

Denise is a Life Reporter at Newsweek, covering everything lifestyle-related, including health, relationships, personal finance, beauty and more. She was formerly a news writer at Tom’s Guide, regularly producing stories on all things tech, gaming software/hardware, fitness, streaming, and more. Her published content ranges from short-form news articles to long-form pieces, including reviews, buying guides, how-tos, and features. When she's not playing horror games, she can be found exploring East London with her adorable puppy. She’s also a part-time piano enthusiast and regularly experiments in the kitchen.