Analyst expects $600-800 Project Helix and PS6 prices, as RAM costs ease before release

Considering how costly current-gen systems are now, some predicted Project Helix and PS6 prices are dire. However, S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan has a slightly more optimistic outlook. The research group expects the new Xbox and PlayStation consoles to launch at $600-$800.

Troubling times for Xbox and PlayStation

A report highlighted by GamesIndustry.biz confirms how the memory shortage has impacted console sales. Analyst Neil Barbour anticipates 2026 shipments dropping to 33.9 million units, a 19.5% decline from the previous year. With the lack of appealing exclusive games also a factor, sales may continue to fall through 2027.

Most insiders pinned 2027-2028 as the likely Project Helix and PS6 release dates. Around this timeframe, S&P Global Market Intelligence believes storage and RAM prices will become more reasonable:

A critical assumption underlying our forecast's recovery period later in the decade is that the component crisis eases sufficiently by 2028 to allow Sony and Microsoft to bring next-generation hardware to market at price points in the $600 to $800 range.

Successful launches will be essential in reversing a downward trend. After bottoming out, the Helix and PS5 successor could contribute to a total of 37.4 million units sold in 2030. Barbour forecasts 4 million of the PS6 selling in 2028, rising to a total of 17.2 million by 2030.

How premium is Project Helix?

The new Xbox console is a wildcard, possibly resembling a gaming PC. Microsoft described it as “premium” before Xbox CEO Asha Sharma promised to use innovation to accommodate budgets. Otherwise, without being subsidized, the Project Helix price could be even higher than the Steam Machine.

Many buyers are undoubtedly skeptical about the analysis. Currently, the base digital PS5 is $599, while the cheapest Series X will rise to $750 on August 1st. Even with modest performance improvements, it would be unusual for their successors to cost the same or less.

There is also disagreement on when memory prices may recede. RAM giants like Samsung and SK Hynix are increasing production. Yet, the focus remains on producing High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI data centers. Xbox seems intent on staying on schedule, but market conditions could delay the PS6 release date.