It has been about six years since the PS4 hit the market and in that time, the most recent iteration on Sony’s flagship gaming system has sold approximately 104 million units.

When the PS5 is released in (most likely) November 2020, it’s going to be setup to have one of the best holiday debuts of any console in the last 15 years.

The PS4 has been feeling the effects of market saturation for the past year, having only sold 8.6 million systems From January-October 2019. Compared to the last two years when sales were at 9.6 million (2018) and 10.4 million (2017) through the same months.

Year over year holiday sales the past two years also experienced about a 10% decline. While holiday figures for 2019 will not be released until early 2020, it’s safe to say the numbers will likely decline again, especially as those looking to buy a new console hold off until next year’s PS5 release. The first three quarters of 2020 will probably see an even more pronounced drop off in sales as fewer people decide to spring for what will shortly be an out of production console.

Sony has confirmed the PS5 will be released in Japan at approximately the same time it gets released throughout the rest of the world.

The PS4 was released nearly three months after the North America debut, something that does not appear to be in the cards for the PS5.

Seeing as the PS4 ended up selling about 4.2 million units worldwide through its launch to the end of 2013 (a seven week period), it’s well within the realm of possibility that the PS5, with its updated processor, SSD storage and simultaneous Japan release will hit the 5 million mark before the end of 2020.

Assuming there are no manufactured shortages, the console should be flying off the shelves in time for the 2020 holiday season.

Though Microsoft is also planning on releasing their Xbox Series X console at around the same time, it probably will not dent PS5 sales enough to prevent Sony from hitting 5 million units sold worldwide before the end of the year. The consoles will likely end up debuting with similar specs, but lanes have already been created through the last 15 years of console development. In short, the people who already own either a Sony or Microsoft console will most likely stick to that brand for their next generation system, especially when purchasing at launch.