We all thought the dark days were behind us. You remember 2020: refreshing Twitter feeds for stock alerts, fighting bots for a console, and paying double to scalpers on eBay. Well, if you tried to buy a PlayStation 5 this Black Friday, you might have just had a nasty flashback. According to a viral thread on r/Games, the base PS5 Slim models have completely vanished from major retailers, with Amazon reportedly pushing delivery dates for new orders as far back as January 2026.
Yes, you read that right. 2026. While the world was distracted by the shiny new PS5 Pro, the standard “Slim” model quietly became the hottest—and hardest to find—item of the holiday season.
The “Jan 2026” Delivery Shock
The chaos started shortly after Black Friday deals went live. Sony dropped the price of the PS5 Slim (both Disc and Digital editions) by roughly $70–$100 depending on your region. That sweet spot of roughly $379 for a current-gen console was apparently too good to pass up.
Shoppers on Reddit began noticing that while they could technically add the console to their cart on Amazon, the estimated delivery date was slipping. First, it was “Two Weeks.” Then “After Christmas.” And now, for many regions, it is showing a placeholder date of January 2026.
Is this a glitch? Most likely, it is a logistical safety net. Amazon often pushes dates far into the future when their inventory system hits zero to prevent over-promising. But for a parent trying to put a box under the tree this year, that date is a nightmare scenario.
Why Did It Sell Out? (The Perfect Storm)
It wasn’t just the price cut. Several factors collided this November to drain the supply chain dry:
- The “GTA VI” Prep: Even though Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t out yet, millions of gamers are upgrading now to be ready. The base PS5 is the most affordable way to play it.
- The Pro Price Gap: The new PS5 Pro launched at a staggering $700+. For the average gamer, seeing a $379 Slim next to a $700 Pro made the Slim look like the bargain of the century.
- Monster Hunter Wilds: With huge titles slated for early 2026, players are locking in their hardware now.
The Irony: You Can Still Buy a PS5 Pro
Here is the funniest part of this shortage: The “sold out” signs are only on the cheaper models. If you have $700 burning a hole in your pocket, the PS5 Pro is readily available at many retailers. In fact, Amazon even discounted the Pro model slightly for Cyber Monday—a rare move for a brand-new console.
This paints a clear picture of the economy. Gamers want next-gen performance, but they aren’t willing to pay PC-level prices for it. The PS5 Slim hit the price-to-performance sweet spot, and the market responded by buying every single unit in existence.
Console Availability Check (Post-Black Friday)
| Console Model | Status | Estimated Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 Slim (Disc) | Sold Out | Jan 2026 (Amazon) |
| PS5 Slim (Digital) | Sold Out | Unknown |
| PS5 Pro | In Stock | Immediate / 2 Days |
Conclusion
If you managed to grab a PS5 Slim during the Black Friday rush, consider yourself lucky. You beat the bots and the crowds. For everyone else staring at a “Jan 2026” delivery estimate, don’t panic just yet. Retailers often restock in mid-December for the final holiday push. Keep checking local stores like Target or Best Buy—sometimes the old-fashioned method of walking into a store works better than refreshing a webpage.
FAQs
1. Is the PS5 really sold out until 2026?
Likely not. The “Jan 2026” date on Amazon is usually a placeholder indicating they have no confirmed stock coming in the immediate future. Expect sporadic restocks in December, though they will go fast.
2. Why is the PS5 Pro still in stock?
The PS5 Pro costs significantly more ($699+), which prices out the average casual buyer. Most holiday shoppers are looking for the best value, which is the discounted Slim model.
3. Will there be more stock before Christmas?
Historically, Sony pushes hard to get inventory onto shelves before December 25th. I would recommend setting up stock alerts on sites like NowInStock or following tracking accounts on X (Twitter).
4. Did scalpers cause this?
While scalpers are always a factor, this shortage seems driven more by genuine demand due to the $70+ price cut. Real families bought these consoles, not just bots.
5. Should I just buy an Xbox instead?
If you can’t find a PS5, the Xbox Series X is widely available and often heavily discounted. However, if you are buying for exclusives like Spider-Man or God of War, you are stuck waiting for Sony’s restock.