Report: Sony cuts PS3 price by $100, $599 80GB model hitting North America in August

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jul 8th 2007 at 9:55PM }

[Update - Sony has since issued a press release, confirming this report once and for all.]

According to a syndicated Associated Press report, Sony has confirmed that the 60GB model of the PlayStation 3 will receive a $100 cut in price, effective as of Monday. Bizarrely, Sony is unwilling to leave a $499 model to fend for itself in the retail world and will be introducing another PS3 SKU at the universally loved $599 price point -- one bolstered by an 80GB hard drive and a copy of gratuitously grimy racer, MotorStorm. The more expensive model is due for release in North America this August.

We've contacted Sony for comment.

[Via Engadget]

Tags: price cut, PriceCut, PS3, Sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

el tonot @ Jul 8th 2007 9:58PM

Early adopters get screwed again. This is the last time I buy ANY system at launch.

shirizaki @ Jul 8th 2007 10:00PM

I don't see how, except for the exception of the 20GB crowd which doesn't get wifi and card readers.

This is great, but I still would have left it at 1 option. Now the 60 will sell more than the 80. If this was the 360 with it's proprietory drives this might fly, but you can buy and add your own SATA drive. 60GB AHOY!

Myke @ Jul 8th 2007 10:01PM

Wow, pretty glad I'm waiting to get a PS3. The wierd part is that I really don't think this will help them sell THAT many more consoles. It may sway a few that were waiting but to be honest I think anyone who wanted a PS3 with the current selection of games has already made the leap or at least went with the 20g version out of the gates. Now, if they upgraded to rumble in their controllers that might help their case a bit....oh wait, rumble is SO "last gen" sorry...

Pathie @ Jul 8th 2007 10:01PM

What?

...Why?

They must really be hurting if they're still trying to keep a $599 model on the market. Yes, that is stating the obvious.

Gabriel Mains @ Jul 8th 2007 10:03PM

Yeah!!!!! I am gonna run right out and buy one right now!!! Oh wait... there are still not GAMES out for it...

NEVERMIND!!!!!

Gabriel Mains @ Jul 8th 2007 10:04PM

Oh and this one still doesn't have rumble... so after shelling out 500 smackers you will still need to buy new controllers when they finally get their act together. LAME!!!!

el tonot @ Jul 8th 2007 10:06PM

I think Sony will always have 2 PS3 models with the lower one being phased out and replaced with the higher end model when a bigger harddrive comes out.

My prediction for Spring/Summmer 08.

120 GB= $500.00
80 GB= $400.00

Spring/Summer 09

160 GB= $400.00
120GB= $300.00

Sean @ Jul 8th 2007 10:11PM

Probably means the 60 gig is going to get phased out.. and the only one you'll find in stock is the 80 gig.

TouchmyWiimote @ Jul 8th 2007 10:12PM

Wow, that has to be like the fastest price-cut ever. I mean less then 8 monthes after launch....ouch Sony.

el tonot @ Jul 8th 2007 10:14PM

@9

No the original Xbox went down to $200.00 in May 01.

atg @ Jul 8th 2007 10:16PM

only problem with that plan is it might make no difference to the casual consumer. Most people knew there was the "good" ps3, the 600 dollar version, and the "bad" one, being the 500 dollar 20gb ps3.

So they stopped selling the 20 gb unit. But now theyve dropped the formerly "good" ps3 to the 500 dollar price, and are bringing in another sku at the 600 dollar pricepoint. So to the average consumer who doesnt remember exactly how many gigabytes each model has, it will still be the same situation in their minds.

They dont want the new "bad" ps3(formerly the "good one") and arent willing to pay for the new 80G "good" model.

Sorry if that doesnt make sense. it does in my head.

quazi @ Jul 8th 2007 10:16PM

wait is anyone else noticing that NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN PRICING!
ps3 is still $500 and $600.all they did was get rid of the shitty 20gb version.
although the "free" motorstorm copy is a good move.and 20gb extra.

i know i applauded them before but after this sunk in not a damn thing has changed =/

ssuk @ Jul 9th 2007 4:17AM

Uhm, $100 for the 60GB IS a change to the pricing scheme, even if the 60GB model has just replaced the 20GB model and the 80GB model has adopted the 60GB's former price. In reality, you're better off getting the 60GB model and adding a cheapy 120GB drive, would work out cheaper over-all.

el tonot @ Jul 8th 2007 10:17PM

I meant May 02=199.99 for the orignal Xbox

TheGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 10:17PM

@el noto

I'm doubtful of that. The main reason why Sony is upgrading to 80GB is because it's actually cheaper to make the 80GB than the 60GB. I don't think we'll see another major hardware revision in specs until the PS3 slim, which is a LONG WAY from happening.

Kai @ Jul 8th 2007 10:18PM

Wait, I can get the "old" 60GB model with PS2 hardware inside for $499 and the "new" 80GB model with PS2 emulation only for $599? Sure, I guess you get a free game with it (maybe even "last-gen" rumble), but I still don't see how this is compelling...

Fatima @ Jul 8th 2007 10:18PM

I just bought an iPhone. Ps3 is going to have to wait. Besides im in no big rush.

Negativecool @ Jul 8th 2007 10:22PM

I CAN NOT understand why they would charge another $100 for ANOTHER SKU!
God FUCK it all!

It would be INFINITELY wiser to have 1 sku, with price drops at regular intervals as time goes on, and sell SONY ENDORSED KITS available to upgrade ones HDD in their PS3's as they wish. Why not have a kit, with all “official” cords and hardware (boosting their bottom line in the process of taking the guess work out for consumers) available that can boost that measly 60gig hard drive to any 500gig external hard drive, or even an array adding to a terabyte?

Whoever has control of that division needs a bullet in the nut sack.

Joshua @ Jul 8th 2007 10:22PM

I'm pretty sure this story on KOTV.com is going to disappear soon.

Anyway, if MS announces a price drop across the board, then Sony's "price drop" (it still has models at the same price points, just upgraded) really won't make much of a difference.

Actually, until it gets down to $300 or so, no price drop is going to make much a difference. =/

el tonot @ Jul 8th 2007 10:23PM

If Sony were smart they would have dropped the 60GB to $480 (same as Elite) and just forget about the 80Gb. I mean seriously does PSN even have 60GB of downloads to begin with right now!!!!!!???????

latpack @ Jul 8th 2007 10:24PM

..and Microsoft follows suit?

Joshua @ Jul 8th 2007 10:24PM

EDIT to my last post.

I didn't read the article before posting. It says:

"The announcement comes two days before the E3 Media & Business Summit in Santa Monica, Calif., where dozens of industry heavyweights including Sony rivals Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co. are expected to show off their latest games and related products."

So I guess this early announcement from Sony is intentional. Sorry about that. ^^

duggie @ Jul 8th 2007 10:25PM

Please stop using the term "SKU".

thanks

Joshua @ Jul 8th 2007 10:25PM

Oh, and now it's only 100 games in the fiscal year. :P

With only 15 exclusives. :(

thebigfatj @ Jul 9th 2007 12:19PM

There's no way there will only be 100 games in the US for the PS3 this year. Sony announced that there would be over 300. They wouldn't mislead us like that again, would they?

Ian Von Porter @ Jul 8th 2007 10:26PM

I see this as a new business model. Keep introducing new versions at the same price point, then lower the price of the original to clear out inventory. I suspect that in a few months, they will announce that they are phasing out the 60gb model.. leaving the 80gb only.

After a few months, they will lower the price of the 80gb model (to $450 maybe) and bring in a 120gb model at the $600 (or lower) price point. Then the $80gb version will be phased out, and the cycle continues. In all cases the higher priced model is the most profitable version.

Gabriel Mains @ Jul 8th 2007 10:26PM

Sony just pisses me off. They just got done denying any price cuts and here we are. They refuse to talk to their customers about what is in each firmware update, when they are going to FIX known problems, when they are going to add features that should have been in there from day one, etc. They LIE to us by telling us there are no price cuts coming when they are doing it the very NEXT WEEK. The LIE to us by telling us rumble is "last gen" and then scrambling to add it at a later date, thus punishing the early adopters. Ugh, they just piss me off...

What Sony needs to do is to cut their losses and issue a public apology. Apologive for incorporating Blu-ray into their game console too early. Apologize for the lack of rumble because they couldn't settle with the paatent holder. And then start treating their customers like valuable assets and not like the mindless zombies that will throw money at anything with a Sony lable printed on it. The people have spoken, and we are not going to take what you THINK we want. You need to LISTEN to what we DO want and then provide that at a fair price.

Sony, you can keep your HUGE POS console. I love my PS2. I love my 360. I don't need your PS3 at this point. Have a nice fiscal year. I'm out...

samfish @ Jul 8th 2007 10:27PM

Hahaha! They just don't learn, do they?

Oh well.

jsn @ Jul 8th 2007 10:28PM

gotta hear it officially before I'm going to believe it.

Ryan @ Jul 8th 2007 10:32PM

$100 extra for 20 more gigs? No thanks, the $499 model seems just fine. Now just find some way to get it to $399 and I'll be all over it.

Dirk Dorkelson @ Jul 8th 2007 10:34PM

Um, every story I've seen about this at my media job has been embargoed for release at 3:01 a.m. EDT Monday. Guess someone let the cat out of the bag.

ill trooper @ Jul 8th 2007 10:35PM

So weird... Adding a new $599 SKU is not really necessary in my mind. $499 sounds good for a PS3, could be a good way to get current 360 owners with some money burning holes in their pockets off the fence, like when PS2 buyers started buying Xboxes.

Quazi, it's not _exactly_ the same; the $499 will now get you a PS3 with WiFi and the card readers... Not something everyone needs, but still a better value than what $499 got you at launch.

Negativecool @ Jul 8th 2007 10:36PM

I mean do they seriously not like profit? Do they seriously not like seeing their product move off shelves? Do they seriously like seeing themselves getting their ASSES KICKED by the Wii every week?!!

GET OFF THE $600!!! Do not upgrade, do not do anything but drop the price!
NO MORE UPGRADING! ONLY PRICE DROPPING!!

How can such a successful company be so god damn blind to what their product needs to sell? The Wii has proven that price is everything, nobody cares about another 20 gigs, they do care about another $100, and they do care about having to dish out $600!

samfish @ Jul 8th 2007 10:36PM

"including Sony rivals Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co."

OK, so I've also got a kinda dumb, semi-off topic question:
When you see sentences like the one above, with the words 'Corp.' and 'Co.' abbreviated, do you pronounce the actual word being abbreviated or just kinda read the abbreviation as it's spelled?
Like for 'Microsoft Corp.' do you read it to yourself as 'Microsoft Corporation' or 'Microsoft KORP'?

I always do the latter...but then, it wouldn't be the first time I've gone my entire life pronouncing something wrong.

Milkshake @ Jul 8th 2007 10:38PM

Oh Sony, your marketing stinks like a bad of wet dog.

ill trooper @ Jul 8th 2007 10:39PM

I should point out that I'm talking about geeky completists that want to own all the systems but do not as of yet... I'm not suggesting that people with 360s should REPLACE their 360s with a PS3.

Myke @ Jul 8th 2007 10:40PM

I just say Corp in my head for sure, I read it just like it says. And like when someone wants to abbreviate something like "Mike and Co." to refer to Mike and "Company" I always just say "coh" in my head too =)

Joshua @ Jul 8th 2007 10:42PM

samfish (#32), I pronounce them "Microsoft KORP" and "Nintendo KO" (er, not K.O., but "ko", like ... you get it).

I always thought "laptop" was actually "labtop" until about five or so years ago. :D But then again, I was only 12 or so. :D

elmer @ Jul 8th 2007 10:43PM

I was under the impression the REAL reason the 20GB model didn't sell was because they were actually only available at a ratio of 1 in 5. Of course this was done because the amount of money they'd lose on it was ludicrous. They tried to give the impression a PS3 could be had for $500 while actually selling it for $600.

I don't see how the new situation is any different. What I'd really like to know is if Sony will do the same thing ratio wise.

Sidepocket @ Jul 8th 2007 10:45PM

First the retarded 360 Elite, now this...

The price war has begun! Sorry guys, I am not going to be sailing in blood water. I am currently liking my clear blue oceans.

*hugs Wii and PC*

Smash Bros and Crysis here we come!

Milkshake @ Jul 8th 2007 10:45PM

Im soooooo glad I did not buy into the PS3 this gen, my 360 choice just gets better every day. I think the wii is a good console but its not a hardcore system so its not for me. I do love my DS though.

Sony you played yourself........R.I.P

DBX00 @ Jul 8th 2007 10:49PM

I don't know what everyone is complaining about...You just got a $100 price drop on the 60GB PS3. You don't have to spend the extra $100 for a 80GB and game. I have a 120GB PS3, so the increase in hard drive space isn't necessarily a reason to spend the extra $100. In addition, people will purchase the SKUs that retailers sell, so they've got plenty of 60GB that they need to get off the shelves and by the time they do that at the new $499 price people will see that as the price of the console making it a hard business decision to start only supporting the more expensive $599 PS3 in August. They'll continue to sell the 60GB b/c people will get used to that price before the new one comes out in mass.

chris king @ Jul 8th 2007 10:50PM

Wow - I swear the very last article I read before I saw this news was the 1UP feature on "How to easily add a 120gb harddrive to your ps3". I was actually thinking about getting one at the drop, and now, for some reason, I feel compelled to hold up again.
I mean...what are the exclusives that should demand I get this machine now? I think I'll be happy with the upcoming games on my wii60 combo until after the holidays. C'mon, Sony, just give me a REASON, man!

BNinjaC @ Jul 8th 2007 10:54PM

Original 60gb PS3 for 500 bucks & you're complaining?

New 80gb PS3 for 600 bucks w/Motorstrom & you're complaining?

Both w/built in wifi etc.

"they should stick to one SKU" *whine*
Three words, core, premium, elite.

Fanboys, you all make me laugh.

@ Gabriel Mains

I don't like you

Steve @ Jul 8th 2007 10:55PM

M$ just pisses me off. They just got done denying any reliability concerns and here we are. They refuse to talk to their customers about what the fail rates are for optical drive, MB bending, Heatsink issue, when they are going to FIX known problems, when they are going to add features that should have been in there from day one, etc (Wifi, next gen optical drive, upgradable HDD, Memory card slots). They LIE to us by telling us FR is under acceptable industry level yet will cost over $1Billion to address the issue. Yet, people praise M$ for 3 year warranty when what M$ should have done instead was to recall all of sorry-excuse-for-console design and REALLY address the issue. M$ claimed there's no difference between 1080i & 1080p then implements it afterwards. M$ claimed there's no difference in quality between HDMI and composite then implements it in Elite. If there's no difference why copy Sony?!? Ugh, they just piss me off...

What M$ needs to do is to cut their losses and issue a public apology. Apologize for not issuing true fail rate which should be ~50%. Apologize for selling Wifi at $100 when it should be already included in Elite unit of all versions. Aplogize for releasing an Elite unit without any consideration for implementing the "Fixes" loyal Crashbox customers have been screwed to NOT receive after their 11th replacement console. Apologize for milking customers for online game play when they're the richest stinking company in the whole wide world. And then start treating their customers like valuable assets and not like the mindless zombies that will throw money at anything with a M$ label printed on it. Vista and Zune are the biggest unnecessary ugly piece of crap. The people have spoken, and we are not going to take what you THINK we want. You need to LISTEN to what we DO want and then provide that at a fair price. M$, you can keep your HUGE POS console. I love my PS2. I love my PS3. I don't need your Crashbox360 at this point. I don't need a 360 degree soreness. Have a nice fiscal year. I'm out...

Sean @ Jul 9th 2007 3:37AM

ahh the warm comforting glow of Satire, I LOVE IT!

vidGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 10:56PM

Well it's nice that Sony is actually going to do it, as the 20GB model was gimped and at least the "full" model is cheaper now. I'm still not interested, though.

I think what will happen is soon after the release of Halo 3 MS will get rid of the Core 360 and drop the Premium and Elite to ~$329 and $399. 2 choices is all the machine should have, the harddrive as a separate buy is too much of a ripoff for most consumers to be interested in.