Happy holidays: 80GB PS3 for US$ 499 possible, say analysts

Analysts are now more convinced that the PS3 might be getting a price cut soon. In fact, Michael Pachter has been specific enough to have noted that the 80GB PS3 units could be sold for as low as US$ 499 right in time 2007’s holiday season. Pachter predicts:

We note that Sony recently acknowledged that it will no longer produce its 60GB PS3, and we expect the price of the 80GB PS3 to be reduced to $499 before the holidays, maintaining a premium SKU at that price point.

Furthermore, Pachter still remains confident in his previous analysis that yet another price drop could happen early next year once Grand Theft Auto 4 and Metal Gear Solid 4 finally roll out.

A hardware price cut during the release of such anticipated titles would definitely trigger a spike in sales later on. And seemingly, simExchange analyst Jesse Divnich concurs with Pachter’s prediction.

After examining more closely the hardware sales of the PS3 over the last 6 months we have come to the conclusion that the PS3 cannot remain competitive in the current North American environment at its current retail offering at $499 and $599. To remain competitive against the other consoles, the Sony PS3 would have to reduce its 80GB SKU by $100 down to $499.

Divnich explains that if Sony weren’t to announce a price drop, they might go for other options like bundling free games with the PS3 unit. This, after all, has been a popular trend during the holidays.

Analysts are now more convinced that the PS3 might be getting a price cut soon. In fact, Michael Pachter has been specific enough to have noted that the 80GB PS3 units could be sold for as low as US$ 499 right in time 2007’s holiday season. Pachter predicts:

We note that Sony recently acknowledged that it will no longer produce its 60GB PS3, and we expect the price of the 80GB PS3 to be reduced to $499 before the holidays, maintaining a premium SKU at that price point.

Furthermore, Pachter still remains confident in his previous analysis that yet another price drop could happen early next year once Grand Theft Auto 4 and Metal Gear Solid 4 finally roll out.

A hardware price cut during the release of such anticipated titles would definitely trigger a spike in sales later on. And seemingly, simExchange analyst Jesse Divnich concurs with Pachter’s prediction.

After examining more closely the hardware sales of the PS3 over the last 6 months we have come to the conclusion that the PS3 cannot remain competitive in the current North American environment at its current retail offering at $499 and $599. To remain competitive against the other consoles, the Sony PS3 would have to reduce its 80GB SKU by $100 down to $499.

Divnich explains that if Sony weren’t to announce a price drop, they might go for other options like bundling free games with the PS3 unit. This, after all, has been a popular trend during the holidays.