Pre-orders for the Xbox Series X/S have already opened. Microsoft was the first to announce the price and release date of its next generation systems, with Sony following suit for the PS5 shortly after. But no one could’ve predicted the chaos about to ensue, and the confusion led many to wonder whether the stress of pre-ordering is even worth it.
Sony’s PS5 pre-order fiasco, in particular, was a mess, with retailers opening their pre-order pages before gamers were expecting. This led to an influx of confused shoppers trying to get their hands on the PlayStation 5 all at once. Many received error messages upon heading to checkout, or, even if they purchased the console, some were told they likely won’t receive it until after the PS5’s release date.
With the possibility of more PS5 and Xbox stock to come, gamers may still have a shot at pre-ordering the next-gen consoles ahead of the holiday season. The real question, however, is whether it’s more advantageous to wait to buy the consoles at a later date or to snag them early, despite the trouble.
Why You Should Pre-Order The Next-Gen PS5 & Xbox Series Consoles
One of the biggest incentives fans have to pre-order is taking advantage of Xbox Series X/S- and PS5 launch titles, as the PS5 and Series X/S consoles will come with a variety of titles that players can access from day one. That being said, however, there are not many exclusive titles only launching for a single next-gen console. Many of the games releasing on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have been confirmed for the current generation, as well. So, since many games can already be played without a next-gen console, it becomes a question of whether players want to play them with next-gen graphics or not.
As such, pre-ordering is the best option for gamers who want to get their hands on next-gen graphics as soon as possible. Additionally, if fans choose to forgo pre-ordering, they may have to wait months for another opportunity to buy the consoles. Many folks want to gift the consoles as a Christmas gift, so once the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S launch in November, they’ll likely fly off the shelves given the holiday season. There has often been a shortage of stock during previous console launches, so it’s realistic to expect Xbox and PlayStation stock won’t start being resupplied until January. In that case, consumers who didn’t purchase the console in the fall may have to wait until February or even longer to get their hands on one. For gamers who want the consoles pronto, pre-ordering is their best bet.
Why Gamers Should Wait To Buy The Next-Gen PS5 & Xbox Series Consoles
With that being said, there’s a financial incentive to not buy the next-gen consoles right away. In fact, if players are willing to buy the next-gen consoles second-hand, they can save upwards of a few hundred dollars. According to previous Screen Rant reporting on the PS5 may decrease up to 35% in the first nine months after its release, just as the PS4 did. With the console priced at $499, this means players could save over $170 just by waiting a few months.
Deciding whether to pre-order the next-generation consoles or buy at a later date is a personal decision and depends on whether or not the individual consumer is willing to wait for next-gen benefits, as there are advantages to both. But with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S pre-orders having sold out out at insane rates, fans will need to quickly decide what’s the best option the next time pre-orders restock.
