adminThe gaming hardware price crisis could change more than what players pay for a console or graphics card. If dedicated gaming devices remain unaffordable for several years, consumers may shift toward phones, laptops, and other hardware they already own. That change could reshape where games are played—and which platforms developers choose to support.
How the gaming hardware price crisis is affecting consoles
A console generation usually gains momentum as its library grows and more players decide to upgrade. Yet recent sales figures point in the opposite direction. Circana reported that Xbox hardware unit sales in the United States were down 33% for the year through August, while PlayStation sales fell 25% to their weakest level since 2013.
Higher prices are a major part of the problem. The average amount paid for a PlayStation in the year ending August 2026 was $597, compared with $399 for the digital edition at its 2020 launch. Shortages affecting the PS5 Pro have also pushed some prices into scalper territory.
Industry expectations in the article point to little near-term relief. Circana’s Mat Piscatella has expressed hope that prices could stabilise in 2028, while an S&P Global forecast suggests global console sales may begin to recover around then. For buyers, the practical takeaway is to compare the full cost of a system—including availability and required accessories—rather than relying on its original launch price.
Image credit: Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash
Why high prices could lock in the current console market
If new consoles and graphics cards are beyond many consumers’ budgets, the installed base of devices already in homes becomes more important. Sony has shipped more than 95 million PS5 units, and expensive new hardware could help preserve the console’s position by making it harder for rivals to attract customers with a lower-priced upgrade.
This situation may suit Sony in the short term. Its games business can continue earning revenue through software sales, PlayStation Plus subscriptions, and digital purchases even when hardware shipments slow. The company’s games division recorded record operating income last year despite falling unit shipments.
Microsoft may have less room to benefit from a prolonged pause. A new generation could offer an opportunity to reset perceptions of its gaming business, but when customers delay buying new hardware, that transition becomes harder to use as a fresh starting point. A market that stays centred on existing consoles can therefore preserve today’s competitive balance rather than creating an easy opening for a challenger.
For players, this may mean longer support for current systems. When deciding whether to upgrade, consider whether a new device offers games or features you will actually use, especially if your existing console still meets your needs.
A freezing of the status quo doesn’t favour Xbox | Image credit: Inspired Images UK via Unsplash
Could smartphones become the default gaming platform?
Phones are among the most widely owned high-performance computers. Many people already replace or upgrade them for everyday reasons, making a smartphone a more accessible gaming device than a new console or a high-end PC.
Mobile gaming is already a large market, although it has often been treated as separate from traditional console and PC gaming. Games such as Fortnite and Genshin Impact show that a title can reach players across mobile and other platforms. Capcom’s Resident Evil ports and Warframe’s mobile version also demonstrate that more traditional gaming experiences can appear on phones.
Playing on a television with a phone and a controller is possible, though the setup may take extra effort. Better usability could make that approach more convenient. Players interested in trying it should check whether their phone, game, controller, and display are compatible before investing in additional equipment.
Resident Evil Village launched on mobile in 2023 | Image credit: Capcom
There is also a global opportunity. In many developing markets, consoles have never been a realistic purchase for a large share of players. If consumers in wealthier countries also rely more on phones, games designed for mobile-first audiences could become more relevant worldwide, rather than being viewed only as smaller alternatives to console releases.
Will people shift to playing games on mobile devices? | Image credit: Amanz on Unsplash
Gaming on laptops and Macs could gain ground
Phones are not the only devices that could benefit. Many students and younger users already have laptops, including Apple computers powered by Apple Silicon. If a dedicated gaming PC is too expensive, a laptop that serves school or work needs may become a more attractive option for play as well.
An open-source project called NotProton has been released to bring parts of Valve’s Proton to macOS. It reportedly enables Steam Play functionality in the Mac Steam client and allows Windows games to run through CrossOver. This does not guarantee that every game will work well, but it could reduce some barriers to playing PC titles on a Mac.
Linux gaming and the Steam Deck have shown how compatibility tools can expand the usefulness of existing game libraries. If similar tools develop for macOS, players may have more ways to use games they already own without waiting for a dedicated Mac port. Check compatibility and performance for each title, since results can vary.
What a long hardware freeze could mean for gaming
A temporary price spike may encourage some players to wait. A prolonged period of high prices could do something more lasting: change habits. Players who become comfortable gaming on phones or laptops may not automatically return to consoles when prices fall. Developers, too, may adapt their plans to the platforms that have the largest reachable audiences.
The gaming hardware price crisis is therefore not just a question of when consoles and graphics cards become affordable again. If the market remains constrained for years, phones, laptops, and existing consoles could play a much larger role in the industry. The longer consumers rely on those devices, the more likely their new gaming habits are to shape what comes next.
