With the rumors of an XB low end streaming console plus a mid tier and high end traditional console (possibly discless), I wonder if people are contemplating whether PS will follow suit in some manner. Even if PS did a streaming box or mid tier console, one or the other, and a higher end model, it would probably impact PS4 sales enough that it would see a sharper decline than what we would expect now. This wouldn't be done in vain however, since it would help boost PS5 sales early on and transfer momentum over into next gen.
How many console customers this gen are mentally or digitally locked into the PS ecosystem is another question. Even if PS only launches a $399-$499 PS5 and doesn't deviate from the past, then how many existing customers would potentially jump ship to a cheaper XB streaming console or mid tier (1080p/60 ultra) model? If PS4 SS is down to $199 msrp, but there's a $149 XB streaming box, or $299 mid tier (XB1X ish specs) next gen box on the market, will the masses keep buying the PS product?
PS4 has been outselling XB1 even with higher prices and less bundling, but there's a lot more to it than just that. If XB can get itself back to it's 360 days next gen, will the PS4 be able to continue sales anywhere close to what the PS2 did later in it's life cycle? Not to mention if PS dares dip their toes in the Switch's blue ocean. If a new PS portable was tightly tied into the PS4 and/or PS5 ecosystem, but wasn't marketed as a PS4 device, that could also hamper PS4 sales this late in it's life cycle. With mid gen consoles entering the mix, plus hybrids, both selling well enough if not beyond expectations, the future doesn't seem to be as clearly predictable as it would be otherwise.
