Even though the PlayStation 5 launched in November of last year, many gamers still have yet to get their hands on Sony's next-generation console. Supply chain constraints, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, scalpers, and bots have all made it incredibly difficult to buy a PS5. However, retailers are restocking their supply of PS5s regularly, with Walmart sending out yet another batch of PS5 consoles for fans to try to buy.
Walmart has restocked both the PS5 Disc Edition and PS5 Digital Edition as of 3:10pm ET. An early batch went out at 3:00pm ET, but it appears as though that stock sold out pretty much immediately. It's likely that this latest Walmart PS5 restock will go just as fast, so anyone that still needs a PlayStation 5 should act quickly. It's possible that Walmart will have more batches later in the day, so those that miss out should check back just in case. Click here for the PS5 Disc Edition and click here for the PS5 Digital Edition.
For those wondering about the difference between the PS5 Disc Edition and the Digital Edition, the Disc version is $500 whereas the Digital version is $399. The catch is that the PS5 Digital Edition does not have a disc drive, meaning gamers can only play games digitally. Otherwise, the two devices are functionally the same.
As for when it might get easier to purchase next-generation consoles, that remains to be seen. Sony has ambitious plans to ship a total of 14 million PlayStation 5 consoles in the next year, but supply chain issues may keep it from reaching that goal. Microsoft has suggested that the Xbox Series X supply issues will be fixed in the second half of the year, so maybe that is a good indicator for the PS5 as well.
Of course, if the PlayStation 5 consoles do become easier to find in the second half of 2021, that will put things fairly close to the next holiday season. One has to imagine that the PS5 will be just as hot of a product during the 2021 holiday season, and if so, supply may become limited yet again. However, it may still be a little easier to get a PS5, especially as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and it becomes possible to find the consoles in stores instead of only online.
Future consoles may also be easier to purchase if governments take action against scalpers, though it's likely too late for that to have any real impact on PS5 or Xbox Series X availability.
