First of all a 2017 500$ console vs a 2019 400$ console won't be that big of a power difference. If it's 500$ sure it could be fairly large but 400 will probably be like the pro vs the x but roles reversed. And I think x would be 249-299 no higher than that.  The rate in which tech is increasing has slowed significantly. 

A 400$ console in 2019 would probably be a 9-10tf console with a ryzen CPU. The gpu would still be very comparable x to the ps5. There would be a very large difference in CPU though.

First off, see the post I made just above about why the Switch's numbers aren't bad.

Second, saying the Switch won't match the 3DS after this short of a time span is a pretty ballsy claim, considering there is no consistent ratio between first-year sales and lifetime sales, even with just Nintendo systems. There is no reason to assume "Switch 2017 ≤ 3DS 2011, therefore Switch lifetime ≤ 3DS lifetime."

The Switch may have had four notable games this year, but Zelda and 3D Mario are not proven consistent system-sellers, MK8D was a re-release of 3-year-old Wii U game (re-releases never move any significant amount of hardware), and Splatoon was not a system-seller in the U.S. Also, simply being a critically-acclaimed game doesn't automatically make a title a system-seller. Many titles with a 90+ Metascore have failed to be system-sellers.

We still have the Gen VIII Pokemon game in the works, which will be a definite blockbusters, plus the likely Mario Kart 9 and Smash 5, and probably also price cuts and/or hardware revision in the future. The Switch's long-term sales are still up in the air, and I think it still has plenty of potential to outsell the 3DS. But for now, it's doing perfectly fine.

You're grasping at straws. The quote from the Resetera forum (from where we take the sales figure) puts PS4Pro sales, this November, at around 260,000 (or 65% less than the X). The X did better wether launches are aligned or not. And ultimately, isn't SONY responsible for managing the ill conceived launch of their own console? And what's with that 'The important thing is the X is not going to do what MS wanted it to do, reinvigorate XBO sales.' line? Are you really that emotionally invested in 'winning' the generation?

*Edited launch from lauch.

Exactly, the desperation is really palpable

Nah I said cash in their pocket, since they kept the price so high they get more revenues from it. And of course hardcore launch buyers will pay more so it was smart of them to keep the price high. Of course they will cut the price in a timely manner, just like Sony did with the Pro, but MS has more room to cut since it is already so high.

Why wouldn't they? This year was most likely the peak year for the PS4. Next year will more than likely either be flat or only slightly down. But, 2019 is when we're going to start seeing the decline of these then 6 year old consoles. That would be a great time to keep PS momentum going and announce the PS5, especially if it's B/C. 

Besides, history shows 6 years is the standard lifespan of a Playstation generation.

PS1 - '94 to '00 = 6 years

PS2 - '00 to '06 = 6 years

The only outlier is the PS3, which lasted 7 years before its successor launched. Personally, I think that was due to it costing so much to make, Sony wanted to try and cover some the early losses. Not an issue this generation. Besides, when Sony called the Pro a mid-gen revision, I think they meant it. They also said they no longer want to get too far behind on technological advances. 

The PS4 is still selling really well and the Pro came out last year. Its very possible 2018 could be the peak year and I don't know why Sony will cut the PS4s sales by going with a PS5 in 2019. I think the PS5 is a 2020 thing. Or even 2021.

console will be very front loaded it wont reach 3ds numbers. nintendo has 4 monster franchises out, plus its getting boost from thesmall user base that buys there home consoles, thats why its in front of 3ds.