U.S. console sales in November 2025 were reported sharply lower than in November 2024: Xbox Series X|S sales fell 70% year over year, while PS5 sales fell 40%, according to Circana figures reported by Forbes. These are a one-month, U.S.-only comparison—not global results, full-year totals, or a measure of current sales.
What the reported sales declines measure
Forbes reported on December 17, 2025, that Circana data showed Xbox Series X|S sales down 70% and PS5 sales down 40% in the United States in November 2025 compared with November 2024. Forbes’ report is the source for the figures here. TechRadar repeated the comparison in a December 31, 2025 year-in-review, describing it as analyst-firm data. TechRadar’s year-in-review provides a second account of the same reported numbers.
| Console | Reported change | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S | Down 70% | U.S. November 2025 versus U.S. November 2024; Circana figures reported by Forbes |
| PlayStation 5 | Down 40% | U.S. November 2025 versus U.S. November 2024; Circana figures reported by Forbes |
The coverage identifies these as console-sales percentages, but the underlying Circana release and its detailed methodology were not available in the cited reporting. The precise measurement basis is therefore not established here, and the percentages should not be treated as independently verified unit-sales figures.
How to read the numbers without overstating them
- They describe one month, not the year. November 2025 is compared with November 2024. The figures do not establish how either console performed across all of 2025.
- They cover the United States, not the global market. The reported comparison cannot be generalized to other countries or worldwide sales.
- The percentages compare each console with its own prior-year baseline. A 70% Xbox decline and a 40% PS5 decline do not, by themselves, show which console sold more units. The reports cited here do not provide the underlying totals needed for that comparison.
- They are not evidence of a cause. The coverage does not demonstrate that console pricing, household finances, or any particular event caused the declines.
How the broader November figures differ
Forbes also reported that U.S. console dollar sales had their worst November since 2005, and that physical software sales were at their worst since 1995, according to Circana. Those are separate market indicators: dollar sales measure spending, physical software sales concern games sold in physical form, and neither is interchangeable with the platform-specific Xbox and PS5 percentages. The reporting does not establish that these broader trends caused the hardware declines.
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What the reports do not establish
Forbes and TechRadar offer secondary accounts of Circana figures; the original Circana release or dataset is not cited in the material available for these specific claims. Without that primary material, readers cannot assess the full methodology, confirm the exact basis for the percentages, or determine from these figures alone whether the declines continued after November. Treat them as a reported snapshot rather than a forecast or a complete account of console demand.
Quick Recap
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- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
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