Xbox Series S|X Sales Reach Under 30 Million Units Yet Remain Profitable

Recent Insights on Xbox Series Sales Figures

In the latest revelations from well-known AMD insider KeplerL2, posted on the NeoGaf forum and shared widely on platforms such as Reddit, it has come to light that the combined sales figures for the Xbox Series S and Series X consoles may be struggling to surpass the 30 million mark. This estimate draws upon AMD’s internal sales data, which KeplerL2 claims provides a clearer picture than third-party tracking sources.

Understanding the Sales Dynamics

According to KeplerL2, the actual sales figures are even below 30 million units. By analyzing the numbers from AMD alongside Sony’s sales disclosures, he argues that the Xbox sales can be approximated with reasonable accuracy. Interestingly, the Steam Deck is categorized under the Semi-Custom Business Unit (SCBU) and, along with other AMD chip variants, is included in the same sales reporting as traditional consoles.

AMD’s Sales Reporting Insights

A notable distinction in AMD’s reporting is that it reflects a larger figure than what Microsoft or Sony would officially recognize as sales. This discrepancy arises from AMD counting chips that are sold but still in the assembly process, impacting the reported totals. As of the recent quarterly data, it appears there are fewer than 100 million consoles sold overall, with PlayStation 5 units alone accounting for approximately 66 million. This implies that the Xbox Series consoles may be hovering around 29 million maximum sales, while they could also be at a minimum of 21 million units sold when looking at the fourth quarter data reservations and projections for Q1/Q2 of 2025.

Comparative Analysis with PlayStation 5

These figures suggest that Sony’s PlayStation 5 enjoys a substantial lead in market share, with up to three times the install base compared to the Xbox Series S and X. Despite Xbox’s introduction of the more affordable Series S model, the initiative does not seem to have significantly bolstered hardware sales, which have fallen by 22% year-on-year, even in a quarter that otherwise showed profitability for Xbox.

Profitability Status of Consoles

In terms of profitability, KeplerL2 indicates that both the Xbox Series models are no longer sold at a loss, a stark contrast to Sony’s PlayStation 5. The PS5 had previously experienced a brief period of profitability, but rising component costs—especially for components like N7 wafers and GDDR6 memory—have pushed it back into the red. It is believed that the standard PS5 continues to be sold at a slight loss, with only the PS5 Pro turning a profit as of now. Meanwhile, in response to market pressures, Microsoft conducted a die shrink of the Series X and adapted pricing strategies to ensure the console is sold profitably.

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