Not only can fans expect new coloured controllers for the PS3 but if recent reports are to be believed, they can also look forward to cheaper PS3s as well. According to Total Video Games, Sony’s CEO and Executive Vice President, Nobuyuki Oneda has announced that manufacturing costs of the PS3 system have dropped by about 70 percent.
When asked about manufacturing costs during a conference call for overseas investors following Sony’s Q1 09 financials, Oneda replied, “The cost reduction since we introduced the PS3 is very substantial and this is on schedule. We don’t disclose how much of the PS3, specifically the cost deduction was achieved during the past two years. But that is on schedule.” When pressed further, the CEO and Executive Vice President added, “About 70%, roughly speaking.”
It is widely speculated that the making of each PS3 console originally cost Sony USD 800 (approx. Rs. 38,140). Then in January 2008 certain reports surfaced stating that the manufacturing costs had been cut down by half, to USD 400 (approx. Rs. 19,070). If the above reports are anything to go by, a 70 percent decrease would mean that the costs have come down to around USD 240 (approx. Rs. 11,445).
Apparently, Sony is likely to plan a USD 100 (approx. Rs. 4,765) price cut for the PS3 in mid-August coinciding with the release of the highly anticipated Madden NFL 2010 American football game. An 80GB PS3 currently sells in the UK, US, and Japan for GBP 299.99 (approx. Rs. 24,100), USD 399.99 (approx. Rs. 19,080) and JPY 39,980 (approx. Rs. 20,080) respectively.