PlayStation 6 release: Sony comments on the launch date and price
Falling sales figures, expensive memory chips and an uncertain release: Sony is facing massive problems when planning the PlayStation 6. The ongoing AI boom is making the hardware so expensive that the new console is being drastically delayed.
Prices for memory chips are rising
Sony made it clear at an investor conference in Tokyo that neither an exact launch date nor a price has been set for the next generation of consoles. The reason is the persistently high cost situation for RAM and SSD components. The group therefore wants to continue to monitor the global market situation. According to the company, the PlayStation 5 has sold around 93.7 million units so far and is therefore approaching the 100 million threshold. Nevertheless, in the most recent quarter, Sony recorded its weakest sales figures since the market launch in November 2020, with only 1.5 million devices sold.
In contrast to the PlayStation 4, which gained additional buyers due to falling prices, the current console has become more expensive for end customers. Like the magazine IGN reports, Sony expects sales to decline to around 24 billion euros in the current financial year. Operating profit, on the other hand, is expected to increase by around 30 percent, primarily due to continued strong software business and upcoming titles such as “Wolverine”. According to the company, the material supply for the current year is largely secured and contractually agreed.
New strategies for the future
Management expects storage prices to remain high for the 2027 financial year. In order to permanently reduce production costs, Sony is examining new formats. There is persistent speculation about a cheaper handheld version of the next console, reminiscent of the successful PlayStation Portable. The launch of the regular PlayStation 6 could be delayed until 2028 or 2029 due to the strained procurement situation for components.
History of PlayStation consoles
1994 1994 PlayStation (PS1) is released, marking Sony’s entry into the console market
2000 2000 PlayStation 2 (PS2) is released and becomes the best-selling game console of all time
2006 2006 PlayStation 3 (PS3) comes onto the market with Blu-ray drive and HD gaming
2013 2013 PlayStation 4 (PS4) is introduced, ushering in the eighth generation of consoles
2020 2020 PlayStation 5 (PS5) appears with SSD technology and ray tracing support
Competition and old technology
An extended life cycle of current hardware brings advantages and disadvantages. Software developers are given more time to fully exploit the existing system architecture technology. The game “Grand Theft Auto 6,” expected for November 2026, could further increase sales of current devices. For publishers, a large install base is often more important than the latest technology.
Competition is lurking
On the other hand, the older architecture could reach performance limits in future titles. While Sony waits, Microsoft is pushing ahead with the next generation of Xbox with “Project Helix”. An earlier launch gave the Americans a clear market advantage with the Xbox 360 over the PlayStation 3. Industry analysts warn that Sony would have to pass on future cost increases to customers.
