The UK and other regions are running suspiciously low on Xbox Series X console stocks, why is PlayStation still widely more available?

We know everything is an Xbox now, but what if you want an actual Xbox Series X console? If you're in the UK and looking to buy an Xbox Series X, you might have a struggle trying to find stock of the original console outside of Microsoft's own site, which alone wouldn't be an issue but it doesn't look good to the average consumer.

Reports on social media have flagged a widespread stock issue, and after checking the biggest UK retailers myself, it seems these claims hold true.

What is going on with Xbox Series X console stock in the UK?

Admittedly when I first saw the post I thought it could be hyperbole, surely it can't be that hard to get hold of an Xbox Series X?

It seems though, I could only find the console in stock at Smyths, which is popular toy store. This was for home delivery only and no in-store stock, and as as indicated by the poster below, isn't providing home delivery to all areas with minimal stock all over the country. I can get it in my area, but many cannot.

After scouring the websites of other major retailers, I discovered the scarcity is real. Here’s what I found:

• Smyths Toys - : Limited stock available for home delivery only, with no in-store availability. Even the home delivery option is spotty depending on your area.
• Very - The console is listed but won't be delivered until February 10, 2025
• Amazon UK - Similar delays, with estimated delivery between February 6 and March 16, 2025.
• Argos - Adding the console to your basket is possible, but no stock is available for home delivery or collection.

• Currys - completely out of stock.
• John Lewis - No stock.
• GAME - No stock.

Now this list isn't exhaustive of every place you can potentially buy an Xbox Series X console in the UK, but they are the biggest retailers and those that your average joe public would be looking to purchase it. It's also particularly unusual that at each retailer I've searched here, the PlayStation 5—often a tough find earlier in the generation—seems readily available across all these retailers. Why wait until February for an Xbox if I can buy a PlayStation right now?

How are stocks looking in the US for the Xbox Series X?

The issue isn’t limited to the UK. A quick check of US retailers paints a similar picture:

• Best Buy - Out of stock for the standard Series X; only the 1TB White All-Digital is available.
• Target - Out of stock for the standard Series X; only the 1TB White All-Digital is available.
• Amazon - Only 2 left in stock at time of writing
• Walmart - Direct Walmart stock is depleted, leaving only third-party sellers with inflated prices (but yes you guess it, the White one is available)
• Lenovo - Only the All-Digital White Edition is in stock.

The digital edition seems easier to find at least in the US, while the disc-based Xbox Series X is becoming elusive.

Not a good look for kicking off 2025

To say the mood in the Xbox community is currently tense, would be an understatement. Microsoft's recent "Everything is an Xbox" campaign has received mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a shift away from the company's traditional console-first audience. Pairing this with the widespread unavailability of the Xbox Series X—especially when the PlayStation 5 is readily in stock—is poor optics. Xbox is also gearing up for its Developer Direct on January 23, where new games and updates will be showcased. But what good are announcements for potential new fans if they can't easily buy your flagship console? Other regions like Saudi Arabia, Poland, Germany, and more have also flagged Xbox Series X|S stock fluctuations of late, with Microsoft issuing a statement last year to deny that it was planning to pull Xbox out of the Middle East following widespread rumors.

One theory I had was that Microsoft is streamlining production to prioritize digital-first hardware, further nudging players into its Game Pass and cloud ecosystem. However, even the Xbox Series X 1TB White All-Digital Edition is proving hard to find in the UK, casting doubt on this theory. Another theory is that Microsoft is allocating Xbox Series X|S silicon to its cloud platform instead of retail consoles. Xbox Cloud Gaming runs on Xbox Series X|S chips, and demand for Xbox Cloud Gaming led to queues over the holiday period. Still, you would hope Microsoft could meet demand for remote cloud operations as well as home console offerings too simultaneously, if indeed there is demand. Given that the consoles are sold out, that would indicate that there is demand.

Microsoft's hardware footprint has been under scrutiny in recent years, with near-routine quarterly declines. What if the declines are driven simply by a lack of access to supplies, though? Xbox should be poised for a strong year. Instead, the lack of widespread availability for its consoles risks alienating potential customers. For parents or casual shoppers, the choice often comes down to what’s easiest to find—and right now, that’s the PlayStation 5. Whether this scarcity is an intentional running down of stock, or a result of supply chain issues, one thing is clear: for players wanting a console with physical disc support at least, Sony’s offering is currently the more accessible of the two.