PS6 could be delayed by multiple years, industry expert warns

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The current issues with memory chip prices are causing problems now, but will also impact a wide range of products – including gaming consoles – for some time to come.

We’re already seeing the impact of limited parts availability, with prices for components like RAM, storage, and graphics cards increasing. Valve recently acknowledged this in a Steam Hardware FAQ, explaining that shortages and rising memory costs have forced them to adjust the shipping dates and prices for the Steam Deck and Steam Machine.

The current problem is caused by the rapid growth of data centers being built globally to support the increasing popularity of artificial intelligence. AI technologies, especially large language models like those powering ChatGPT – which has around 800 million users – need enormous amounts of computing power and memory, creating a huge surge in demand.

Memory and storage manufacturers like Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung are focusing on supplying businesses rather than individual consumers. For example, Micron recently announced it will stop selling products under its Crucial brand, which was well-known among PC builders.

According to Chief Business Officer Sumit Sadana, the increased use of artificial intelligence in data centers is driving up demand for memory and storage. As a result, Micron has decided to stop selling products under the Crucial brand to better focus on and support its biggest customers in areas with faster growth.

Experts don’t anticipate any quick fixes to the current challenges. Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi recently told CNBC that these difficult conditions are likely to persist until 2027.

A current shortage of memory chips, sometimes called “RAMageddon,” may push back the release of the PlayStation 6 to as late as 2028 or 2029, according to a Bloomberg report.

It was very hard to find a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S when they first came out in late 2020. This was because the Covid-19 pandemic caused problems with manufacturing and shipping, limiting the number of consoles available.

As a gamer, it feels pretty frustrating trying to find games at decent prices, and sometimes they’re just impossible to get. But honestly, things are way tougher for companies like Sony right now. They’re dealing with all these supply chain issues and price hikes while they’re actually building the next PlayStation. It’s a whole different level of stress for them than just trying to buy a game!

A reliable industry insider, Kepler L2, reports (via TechPowerUp) that the PlayStation 6 may feature 30GB of high-end GDDR7 RAM. This type of memory is very powerful, which would likely make the PS6 quite expensive.

If Sony followed its usual pattern of releasing new consoles every seven years—like it did with the PlayStation 3—the next one would likely come out in 2027. However, many experts believe that the supply of memory and computer chips will still be limited at that time.

Even though Sony benefits from purchasing large quantities of parts, it still competes with major companies like Apple and Nvidia in the broader market.

Pushing the release of the PlayStation 6 to 2028 or 2029 would give Sony more time to get parts at better prices. Releasing it sooner might mean a more expensive console, and consumers would likely end up paying the difference.

Alternatively, the PlayStation 5 could become even more successful financially. Without a new console on the horizon, Sony might sell more PS5s than originally expected.

People wanting a better gaming experience might consider the PS5 Pro. While it won’t bring in new players, it still means more sales for Sony.

Highly awaited games like GTA 6 and The Witcher 4 are expected to significantly boost console sales. Offering these games first on the PS5 and PS5 Pro could draw back players who only get excited about gaming when major new titles are released.

The RAM shortage, or ‘RAMageddon,’ will also raise the production costs of today’s game consoles, and we’ve already seen the PlayStation 5 become more expensive as a result.

AMD has confirmed it can provide Microsoft with the chips needed for a potential Xbox launch in 2027, but Microsoft will likely encounter similar challenges as before. Microsoft gained a significant advantage with the early release of the Xbox 360, beating the PS3 by nearly a year, and may aim to do so again. However, releasing a reportedly powerful console into a currently unstable and costly market could be expensive for both Microsoft and consumers.

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Games are taking longer and longer to come out, as they become more complicated and costly to create. For example, Naughty Dog has released only one game specifically for the PS5 – a remake of The Last of Us Part 1 – and their next new game isn’t expected until 2027. Even without any technical issues, this trend could eventually lead to longer gaps between new console generations.

Honestly, looking at everything, it feels like Sony has way more reasons to push back the PlayStation 6 than to actually try and hit that 2027 release date. It just doesn’t seem realistic right now.

Authors

Cole LukeFreelance Writer

Cole Luke is a freelance journalist and video creator who works with TopMob Gaming. His work also appears on websites like Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, and Network N.

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2026-02-17 16:05