The launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X last November was met with a huge response, but new data suggests that neither console has surpassed its predecessor at this point.

The data comes from a report by Ampere Analysis, which says that the PS5 has now sold 4.2 million units, while the Xbox Series X (and Series S) have only sold 2.8 million units combined.

This means that while the PS5 is almost tied with the PS4 in sales so far, the Xbox Series X and Series S are slightly behind the Xbox One, which sold 2.9 million units in the same period.

For Sony, the news is particularly unwelcome, since the PS5 was launched globally this time around, while the PS4 was not released in its main market, Japan, until the first quarter of 2014. Therefore, it was expected that the PS5 would have surpassed the PS4 by now.

Microsoft previously claimed that the launch of the Xbox Series X was the "biggest in Xbox history," but sales have tapered off a bit and are now on par with the well-received Xbox One. Also, since the Series X launched in more markets than the Xbox One in 2013, Microsoft may have expected stronger numbers at launch.

Both consoles have quite a long way to go to catch up to Nintendo; according to Ampere Analysis, the Nintendos sold a staggering 26.3 million units in 2020 alone, bringing the console's lifetime shipments to over 80 million units.

The elephant in the room, of course, is the significant inventory problem that has plagued both consoles since their launch. Three months after launch, supplies of next-generation game consoles are still extremely limited due to shortages of critical components.

Ampere Analysis estimates that without these supply constraints, Sony would have sold more than 5 million units in the same period; nevertheless, the technology giant plans to sell about 8 million PS5 units by the end of March.

Inventory problems for the PS5 and Xbox Series X are likely to continue for some time, and both Sony and Microsoft may have to wait a little longer until these new consoles begin to outperform their predecessors.

If you are still looking for a next generation console, check out our guide on where to buy a PS5.