Sony’s next-generation console, informally referred to as the PlayStation 6 (PS6), is facing a potential delay of one to two years, according to industry reports. Rather than launching in 2027 as previously speculated, the PS6 could be pushed back to 2028 or even 2029 as the company grapples with sharply rising memory prices and constrained chip supplies.
At the heart of the possible delay is a global memory chip shortage and price surge. DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (critical components for consoles) have become more expensive and harder to source as demand from AI data centers and tech infrastructure continues to absorb a disproportionate share of global production. Analysts cite this trend as a major headwind for hardware makers planning future products.
Sources familiar with Sony’s internal planning told Bloomberg that the company is seriously evaluating postponing the PS6 release by one or two years. This would mark a longer gap than the typical six-to-seven-year cycle Sony has followed historically between major PlayStation console generations. The current PlayStation 5 launched in November 2020, and its lifecycle has already been extended with iterations like the PS5 Pro.
Memory chips account for a significant portion of a console’s bill of materials. Reports suggest that the PS6 could require roughly 30 GB of fast memory to support next-gen performance, and any increase in DRAM or high-bandwidth memory pricing directly impacts manufacturing costs. With memory pricing volatility persisting, Sony faces a strategic choice: absorb costs and keep prices competitive, or delay the launch until supply conditions improve.
Industry analysts say that memory pricing pressure shows little sign of easing soon and could continue into late 2027 and beyond, especially as the AI boom drives long-term demand. Some experts have dubbed the current situation “RAMmageddon” due to the structural imbalance between supply and demand for memory chips.
Delaying the PS6 might not be a crisis for Sony in the short term. The PlayStation 5 has sold strongly throughout its life cycle, crossing an estimated 75 million units worldwide, and continues to anchor major software releases. Extending its run with strong first-party titles and the recent PS5 Pro iteration gives Sony flexibility while the industry waits for chip prices to stabilize.
Meanwhile, other console makers are feeling the effects of constrained memory supplies too. Nintendo has reportedly considered raising the price of its Switch 2 hardware due to similar component cost pressures, although the company has not publicly confirmed such a move.
If Sony does delay the PlayStation 6 launch until 2028 or 2029, it would extend the PS5 generation into nearly a decade of dominance; the longest gap in PlayStation history. For players, this could mean more time with the current ecosystem and potential revisions to hardware pricing and software strategies as the console cycle evolves.
Ultimately, shifting the PS6 timeline may be Sony’s way of navigating uncertain hardware economics without forcing a major price increase on consumers or releasing a console that isn’t optimized for the future gaming landscape.