The PlayStation 5 has become Sony’s fastest ever selling games console, the Japanese electronics giant said.

Sony said more than 10 million units had been sold by 18 July since the model’s launch on 12 November, even as it grapples with the impact of a global chip shortage.

That means it has outpaced its predecessor the PS4 – which went on to sell more than 100 million units after its launch in 2013 – by a few weeks in achieving that milestone.

The PS5 boasts better graphics and faster loading times than its predecessor.

Jim Ryan, chief executive of Sony Interactive Entertainment, said: “While PS5 has reached more households faster than any of our previous consoles, we still have a lot of work ahead of us as demand for PS5 continues to outstrip supply.

“I want gamers to know that while we continue to face unique challenges throughout the world that affect our industry and many others, improving inventory levels remains a top priority.”

The console has been boosted by the popularity of exclusive games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which has sold more than 6.5 million copies.

Mr Ryan told the Reuters news agency that Sony sees demand for the PS5 continuing even as the easing of lockdown restrictions means consumers are less likely to be forced to stay at home.

He acknowledged that the chip shortage was “a challenge that we are all navigating”.

The announcement comes after tech giant Apple revealed that the impact of the shortage on its production had been less than expected in the most recent quarter – but forecast that it would worsen in the current July-September period.

Meanwhile, Microsoft – whose Xbox rivals Sony’s PlayStation, revealed that its console sales surged by 172% in the three months to the end of June after the latest model launch, though sales of content and services for it dipped compared to a bumper period a year ago.

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