PS5 supply chain remains upbeat

Sony has postponed the launch of PS5, but makers in its supply chain remain busy preparing shipments for the client’s next-generation games console. Backend partners say SoC shipments for PS5 will start next week before peaking in third-quarter 2020. PCB and IC substrate suppliers expect PS5 to be a major growth driver of the sales this year. Meanwhile, cloud server suppliers expect demand to remain robust throughout 2020, probably lasting into 2021, thanks to growing stay-at-home economy in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

PS5 processor shipments to kick off in June, peak in 3Q20: Backend IC packaging and testing service providers will begin shipments of the customized SoCs designed by AMD specifically for PlayStation 5 (PS5) to their downstream partners in the week of June 7 with the momentum to ramp up steadily before peaking in late third quarter, according to supply chain sources.

PS5 online launch delay little affects upstream PCB shipments: Taiwan PCB and IC substrate makers in the supply chain of PlayStation 5 (PS5) will see their shipments remain unaffected despite Sony announcing a delay in a planned June 4 online launch of its next-generation home video game console, and are all actively preparing for related shipments, according to PCB supply chain sources.

Cloud server shipments to remain in high gear in 2H20 and 2021: Cloud server orders are expected to remain robust throughout 2020 with demand likely to stay strong also in 2021, according to sources from server manufacturers.