Xbox Series X, PS5 and Switch shortages will likely continue into 2022

If you were hoping the new year would bring an influx of next-gen consoles, you might want to temper your expectations. As we prepare to turn the calendar page, many analysts and investors are expecting the global chip shortage to last through 2022.

While some believe the situation could improve from mid-year, it’s all but confirmed that the tech industry will face a supply crunch for chips. Unfortunately, this almost certainly means that next-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 will continue to be in short supply.

Over the past couple of weeks, industry leaders have weighed in on the chip shortage, and just about all of them acknowledge console shortages will continue into 2022. Both Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa and Sony chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki have acknowledged the global shortage continues to pose problems for their respective companies.

Adding to the situation is simply pent up demand for these consoles. Totoki reportedly told a closed briefing (via Bloomberg) that even if Sony could secure more devices and produce more PS5s, the supply simply wouldn’t be able to catch up with the demand.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer echoed similar sentiment regarding the Xbox Series X. He acknowledged the Xbox Series X shortage will also carry on into 2022, but added that it isn’t just chips that are in short supply. He claimed “multiple” pinch points in the process are having an impact on the supply.

So if you missed out on buying an Xbox Series X, PS5 or Nintendo Switch this holiday season and were hoping the new year would somehow result in hundreds upon hundreds of next-gen consoles suddenly flooding store shelves, it looks like you’ll have to continue to scour the internet like a hawk and hope you are lucky enough to snipe the bots when those precious restocks happen online.