Rising memory and storage prices are now becoming a serious obstacle for the next PlayStation generation. Embracer Group says the pressure could push the PS6 launch beyond the previously expected 2027 window, with 2028 or even 2029 now appearing more plausible.
The concern is not just about timing. If component costs stay elevated, Sony may face a harder choice between launching a more expensive console or scaling back its hardware ambitions to keep the price in check.
Hardware costs are already affecting today’s consoles
Embracer Group’s latest annual report points to a market where memory and storage shortages are driving up costs across the gaming industry. Sony and Nintendo have already responded by raising official prices for the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Switch 2.
The report links part of that pressure to demand from the AI sector, which has helped tighten supply for key components such as DRAM. That has made the pricing environment more difficult not only for current systems, but also for the machines that are still in planning.
Analysts see a later PS6 debut
According to projections cited by Embracer, some analysts believe Sony is now considering a delay from 2027 to 2028 or 2029 for the next PlayStation. That shift would give the market more time to cool, but it would also extend the wait for the successor to PS5.
The timing matters because the next console generation is usually shaped long before launch. If Sony waits longer, it may have a better chance of buying components at more manageable prices.
The price question is tied to PS6 specs
A later launch could also influence what Sony decides to include inside the PS6. Embracer notes that higher-end hardware goals could become expensive quickly, especially if the company aims for a major leap in performance.
Leaker KeplerL2 has suggested that Sony could reduce the rumored GDDR7 VRAM configuration from 30GB to 24GB. There is also discussion of new file-compression methods intended to ease storage demands, although that may not be enough to offset broader cost pressure.
Current sales trends add more context
Embracer’s report also says console game sales rose 3% in 2025 compared with the previous year. The company expects the launch of GTA 6 to help push stronger growth in 2026, but tariffs and component costs remain major risks to that outlook.
Sony has already acknowledged weaker PS5 adoption in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company also said demand from AI data centers could interfere with PS6 planning, while higher hardware prices are starting to weigh on console sales in some markets.
The longer timeline may ultimately work in Sony’s favor if memory and storage prices ease by the end of 2028 or 2029. For now, though, the market is sending a clear signal that the cost of building a new console remains one of the biggest factors shaping the PS6’s future.
