- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
In 2006, Sony introduced a new PlayStation 3 console at that time, sales of which were obviously unprofitable for the company, since the main cash flow of the technology giant planned to gain not so much from the sale of the consoles themselves as the corresponding games for them. The situation is similar to what Sony is doing today with the PlayStation 4.
IHS experts unveiled the results of the "opening" PS4, conducted in order to assess the real value of the device components used to create the console, Allthindsd.com reports. According to preliminary data, IHS experts at the moment estimate the total cost of the component parts and elements of the device, as well as the cost of their assembly, at about $ 381. Thus, the difference in the modest 18 "bucks" with the PS4 retail price, which is $ 399, does not promise Sony any super profits from the sale of new items.
In general, such "ridiculous" margins on the cost of production in the modern world of electronics are extremely rare. For example, the cost of the components of Apple's iPad Air was the same experts estimated at $ 274 with its selling price of $ 499.
Although, it is worth noting that today's "maneuver" of Sony marketers is much more adequate compared to their pricing policy for the previous PS3 model, sales of which started in 2006 from $ 599 with a device cost of $ 805. Later, costs declined, and Sony, respectively, reduced retail prices in order to stimulate sales growth. So, by the end of 2009, the PS3 was already selling for $ 299, although the cost of its “creation”, however, was still higher - $ 336. IHS senior director Andrew Rasweiler, who oversaw the dismantling of the PS4, said: "If Sony can build a PS4 at a lower cost, then knowing its history, it would be logical to reduce the market value of the PS4."
The largest share of the cost of the internal components of the device accounts for the cost of chips. For example, the cost of manufacturing a sufficiently powerful processor installed in the console, manufactured by Advanced Micro Device (AMD), is about $ 100. In conjunction with the cost of 16 memory chips for $ 18 goes almost half the cost of the entire console.
By the way, the AMD chip surface area inside the PS4 is 350 square meters. mm, which makes it the largest in size of all the chips that IHS experts observed when building up a relatively new 28-nanometer process based on a relatively new one. "This chip is just gigantic," says Andrew Rasweiler. "It is almost three times larger than the largest chip we have ever seen." Of course, size does matter, but not in the complex world of chip production, where more does not necessarily mean better. Chips with a larger surface area are more likely to be damaged in manufacturing processes. HIS specialists believe that about a third of the chips may be subject to such damage, thereby reducing their own release. “And when the output goes down, the price goes up,” says Rasweiler. “This is a well-formulated and sound principle for the production of microcircuits in general.”
In addition to the processor and memory chips inside the PS4, experts revealed a hard drive from the manufacturer Seagate worth $ 37, wireless chips from Marvell and Skyworks and an optical drive, which costs about $ 28. Also inside the device is a controller worth $ 18 more, containing Qualcomm Bluetooth chips, a Wolfson Microelectronics sound chip, and a Bosch motion sensor chip. The entire system is supplied with only one controller in the “box”.
With such a small difference between the cost of the components and the retail price of the device, Rassweiler believes, Sony is selling the PS4 if it’s not at a loss, then at least it doesn’t earn it exactly, hoping, apparently, to get it back on the sales of new games.
Thus, after analyzing Sony’s past tactics, the expert came to the conclusion: “Apparently, again, when it comes to profit (from Sony), it’s worth looking for in the games section.”
The article is based on materials .
Comments
Post a Comment