Reports suggest that Sony’s PS6 release date could slip significantly, with internal discussions pointing to a possible launch window in 2028 or even 2029. According to sources cited by Bloomberg, escalating RAM and storage prices are forcing the company to reassess the timing of its next-generation console.
The PlayStation 6 delay would mark a notable shift in Sony’s traditional console cycle. The original PlayStation 5 launched in late 2020, and while mid-cycle refreshes have become standard, a full generational leap typically arrives within seven to eight years. Pushing the PS6 to 2029 would extend that timeline closer to nine years, leaving the PlayStation 5 Pro as Sony’s flagship console for a prolonged period.
At the center of the reported delay is what some in the industry have dubbed “RAMageddon” — a sharp increase in memory and storage costs. Bloomberg’s reporting indicates that the price of 16GB DDR memory has surged by more than 500% in a matter of months, while 512GB NAND storage has risen by nearly 480%. For hardware manufacturers operating on tight margins, especially in the console space where devices are often sold close to cost at launch, such increases can materially affect launch pricing and long-term profitability.
If Sony proceeds cautiously, it may be attempting to avoid a scenario in which the PS6 debuts at a price point that limits adoption. Historically, console pricing has played a decisive role in early momentum. A significantly more expensive PlayStation 6 could dampen demand, particularly as consumers weigh rising living costs and competition from PC gaming.
The delay, if confirmed, could also reshape the competitive landscape. Microsoft is still widely expected to introduce its next Xbox console around 2027. Should that timeline hold, Sony’s absence from the next-generation race for one or two additional years could offer Xbox an early advantage. However, Microsoft faces the same component market pressures, and any sustained increase in RAM and NAND pricing could affect its hardware roadmap as well.
Other players are reportedly feeling similar strain. Nintendo may adjust pricing for the Nintendo Switch 2 once current inventory levels are depleted. Meanwhile, Valve is said to have reconsidered timelines for its upcoming Steam Machine hardware plans, citing component costs as a complicating factor.
For consumers, the potential PlayStation 6 delay may not carry immediate consequences. The PS5 platform continues to receive major first-party releases, performance updates, and firmware improvements. The PS5 Pro, in particular, still has room to establish its role among enthusiasts seeking higher frame rates and improved graphical fidelity.
More broadly, the situation highlights how dependent the gaming industry remains on global semiconductor supply chains. Memory pricing cycles have historically been volatile, often influenced by shifts in data center demand, AI hardware production, and smartphone manufacturing. If current trends stabilize, Sony could revisit its launch window. If not, the next console generation may arrive more slowly — and at a higher cost — than players have come to expect.
For now, existing hardware such as the PS5, PS5 Pro, and current Xbox systems appears set to anchor the market for several more years, extending this generation beyond its original expectations.
