Before the PS5 launched I thought it would sell less than the PS4, if not by much, like 105-110 million units, because of healthier competition, but now after it's launch I think it can outsell the PS4.

A huge launch on its own obviously doesn't say everything, the Switch had a way smaller launch for example, but demand being even way higher even though it already had the biggest launch ever I think it will definitely sell over 120 million units. How far it will go beyond that is uncertain. That's why I voted for 100-125 million even though it could sell over 130 million units.

I think it will sell around PS4 numbers.

As for finding one to purchase, it's not difficult if you jump on eBay or Facebook Marketplace and do a search.

Yeah, I think retailers are failing badly right now at this. I wonder if there is a real possibility that the scalping combined with parts shortages could hurt PS5 lifetime sales.

Makes one wonder if everyone that could afford one was able to buy one right now what PS5, Switch, PC and Xbox sales numbers would be right now.

Oh, it is for sure happening. I bet there is people even buying from resellers and then trying to resell it themselves at an even higher price point, lol.

Even then, scalpers can and will use other means to buying more than one at a time (friends and family for example).

I'll go with 110-130 million. Like the PS4 no big mistakes were made so unless they screw up big time later the vast majority of PS4 users should decide against switching to Xbox though with the Xbox Series X/S being much more appealing than the Xbox One was some market share will be lost but it shouldn't be a ton lost or anything like that so things will be at least somewhat more competitive this time around.

I would agree with this if Microsoft appeared like it was more focused on competing on the console sales aspect. Microsoft is more focused on the Game Pass business model which is a much bigger focus on userbase across multiple platforms vs focusing on maximizing console sales.

Shortage issues will be here for a long time. It's not just effecting the gaming industry either.

Has anyone done any discussion/research on the possibility that scalpers and shortages could hurt lifetime sales?

I also say PS4's numbers, so something like 119 million .

They're focusing enough on it still to do better than last time I think. Stuff like making sure their console is the more powerful one shows they do still wanna remain competitive in the console space though it is true they care less about console sales than they did in the past.

Well it really depends on whether we're looking at an ordinary 7 year lifecycle and how the transition from PS5 to the hypothetical PS6 will be. I think that a year down the line from now it will stop gaining ground compared to the PS4 launch aligned and that it might lose its lead in the long run. Then if it gets replaced after the usual 7 years I expect it to finish very close to the PS4.
Just for fun let's make a super specific prediction and say 118 mil.