Post: PS4 cost $381 to build
11-19-2013, 08:40 PM #1
MasterBaitor
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PS4 cost $381 to build - Report
Teardown analysis from research firm IHS reveals combined cost of components used to make next-generation system.
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Originally posted by another user
Every PlayStation 4 unit costs Sony $381 to build, just $18 under the system's $399 price point, a new teardown analysis from research firm IHS has revealed. The report will be revealed later today, but AllThingsD was able to get a look at the data ahead of time.

The gross margin for the PS4 is substantially better, for Sony, than the numbers for the PlayStation 3 when it was first released in 2006. An IHS analysis back then found that it cost about $805 to build the $599 PS3. Manufacturing costs would later come down as would the retail price.

Chips make up more than half of the PS4's manufacturing cost, the IHS teardown report found. This includes an unusually large AMD processor for $100 and $88 for 16 individual memory chips.

“This chip is just gigantic,” IHS analyst Andrew Rassweiler said, noting its size is 350 square millimeters. “It’s almost three times as big as the next biggest chip we’ve seen.” He explained that bigger isn't always better, as chips with larger surfaces areas have a higher likelihood of manufacturing defects.

The PS4 also includes a Seagate hard drive ($37), wireless chips from Marvell and Skyworks, and an optical drive that costs Sony about $28, the IHS report found. The PS4's DualShock 4 controller costs around $18 to build, the report concluded. It includes Bluetooth chips from Qualcomm, an audio chip from Wolfson Microelectronics, and a motion sensor chip from Bosch. The PS4 ships with one controller, while additional units can be purchased for $60.

Rassweiler said because the PS4 manufacturing cost ($381) and sale price ($399) are so close, it is very unlikely that Sony is making a genuine profit on the console, instead leaning on games and accessories to boost its bottom line.

“It looks like once again, when it comes to profits, it’s all about the game titles,” Rassweiler said.

The PS4 was released in North America last Friday, November 15. The system sold 1 million units in 24 hours and will be released in Europe on November 29.


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Opinion: I find it fascinating that such little profits are made for Sony from the PS4. In my mind the number was near $100 dollar profitDrack If you think about it those 1 million consoles sold in the first hour only gave Sony an 18 million dollar financial gain. But like the end of the article says, seems like Sony is relying on accessories and games to really get the big bucks. What do you guys think? Is this a risky move?
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11-19-2013, 08:54 PM #2
Atleast there are profits, maybe even less than the 18mill on the first million sold like you say. With the first PS3's they lost money making it because of the prize of making and designing the cell-cpu. So this is not a risky move, they will earn so much money on selling games and accessories.
11-19-2013, 10:42 PM #3
xLew--
Former Staff
probably alot less then that too, considering the scale that the would of brought the materials for more then likely got huge discounted deals
11-20-2013, 12:25 AM #4
Actually, if you think about it, it's a really smart move by Sony.

1 Million people bought it, which means 1 million people (or nearly all) will buy PS+ which adds $50 for them from each person.

It's much more profit than it seems at first.
11-20-2013, 12:25 AM #5
PS4-USA
Bounty hunter
Manufacturing costs and materials will go down over time increasing profits, and don't forget the PSN was free with the PS3, now you have to pay for it.
11-20-2013, 03:07 AM #6
Royalties
Legit As F*ck
That's how systems always make their money. A lot of times they sell consoles for less than what it costs them to make it.
11-20-2013, 03:16 AM #7
ResistTheSun
In Flames Much?
I was thinking the number would be higher it going to get lower with time we're unlikely to see a price drop for some time.
11-20-2013, 08:43 AM #8
xplicit1
Do a barrel roll!
i got 10% off mine thanks to a manager friend of mine, youre welcome sony lol :P
11-20-2013, 10:45 AM #9
Is that taking tax into account if not then there making a loss, i read ages ago that they was not making a profit but sadly cannot remember where it was, I am from uk and a ps4 pretax is about just under £300 with tax from £48 that breakdown is on shopto
11-20-2013, 11:04 AM #10
Originally posted by ETB View Post
Is that taking tax into account if not then there making a loss, i read ages ago that they was not making a profit but sadly cannot remember where it was, I am from uk and a ps4 pretax is about just under £300 with tax from £48 that breakdown is on shopto


That's true, in my country the price is around £400, 25% of this is taxes and I guess the is taking 25% in profit as well. So they get it cheap so there ain't exactly profits for Sony... Yet ^^

A friend's mom working for the place where I pre-ordered, they will get around 5k consoles for launch and still can't feed half of all orders. They also had a hell getting so many consoles from Sony :P

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