PS6 in limbo – why Sony could stick with the PS5 even longer

Many had hoped that Sony’s financial report for the past fiscal year would include new information about the PlayStation 6. The company did mention investments in a “next generation platform” for the coming fiscal year, but it did not name the PS6 directly. Pricing and the release window also remain unclear. The likely reason is hardly surprising: RAM and SSD prices remain high.

Those high memory and storage costs make long-term planning more difficult for Sony. Many now assume that the PlayStation 6 may not arrive until 2028 or even 2029. For Sony, sticking with the PS5 (currently available for around $650 on Amazon) for a while longer could therefore be an attractive option. Although the company sold only 1.5 million PlayStation consoles in the last quarter, the upcoming launch of GTA 6 could give the console business another boost. Following recent price increases, the PS5 ecosystem is also likely to remain profitable despite the ongoing storage cost issue.

A later PS6 launch would still come with risks. Microsoft is already working on its next Xbox generation under the codename “Project Helix.” If Microsoft brings new hardware to market earlier, it could gain a temporary advantage – similar to the Xbox 360 era. However, Microsoft has not announced a release date for its next-generation console either.

Other business models, PlayStation Portable 2?

New business models are also being discussed, although it remains unclear what exactly Sony means by that. Many in the community fear subscription services or console financing plans. At the same time, rumors continue to circulate about a new handheld that, unlike the PlayStation Portal, would not depend on a PS5. Sony could use such a device as a cheaper companion to the classic home console – or as a way to broaden the next PlayStation generation without relying solely on expensive PS6 hardware.

Later release would be fine for Reddit users

On Reddit, users seem surprisingly relaxed about the possibility of a later PS6 launch. Many argue that the PS5 still feels relatively new and that the current generation has not yet been fully utilized due to the Covid-19 pandemic, supply shortages and the large number of cross-gen games. Price is another major factor in the discussion. Given the current hardware situation, many expect the next PlayStation generation to cost $700, $800 or even $1,000, which would make the console unattractive for many buyers.