TL; DR
- Sony may delay the PlayStation 6 to 2028 or 2029 as AI-driven demand for DRAM and HBM has pushed memory prices up sharply, potentially forcing a launch price above $1,000.
- In the meantime, Sony is extending the PS5 lifecycle amid record user activity, while Nintendo and Valve also face pricing and launch pressures due to rising component costs.
Due to the ongoing chip crisis, the Japanese entertainment giant Sony is considering delaying its upcoming console — the PlayStation 6 — to 2028 or even 2029. If the company decides to do so, it could be the first time since the PS3 that a new console comes out after six years.
Also Read: PlayStation 6 Could Be Delayed as Rising RAM Prices Threaten Console Costs
AI Demand Squeezes Memory Supply For An Affordable PS6
As mentioned earlier, the primary driver for the potential delay is a global memory crisis. Not only tech giants like Alphabet or OpenAI, but other companies are also purchasing vast amounts of DRAM and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI data centers, leading consumer electronics manufacturers to compete for an increasingly shrinking and expensive supply.
Reports cite a surge of up to 75% in DRAM prices between December 2025 and January 2026. Analysts warn that if Sony were to launch the PS6 under current market conditions, the retail price could exceed $1,000 to maintain profitability, which is considered the primary reason for the company’s postponement of the launch.
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PS5 Sales Hit 75 Million Milestone
In the meantime, Sony could extend the PS5’s life cycle, with the PlayStation 5 Pro being a step in that direction. Most recently, Sony’s CFO Hiroki Totoki mentioned that the PS5 user activity is at an all-time high, with over 75 million units sold.
Sony isn’t the only company that is facing issues in launching or sustaining with the current prices of its products. For instance, Nintendo is reportedly considering a price revision for the Switch 2 in 2026, around $50 for every unit. Furthermore, Valve has indefinitely postponed its next Steam Machine.
Also Read: Apple Teases’ Special Experience’ on March 4: Are M5 Macs Incoming?
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