The prospect of a new PlayStation console still thrills the video game industry. But this time, the wait might be longer than expected. According to several consistent sources, the release of the PS6 could be pushed back to 2028 or even 2029, due to the persistent shortage of memory chips and the spectacular increase in component costs. As the PS5 continues its life cycle and rumors around the next generation intensify, this possible postponement reshuffles the cards of Sony’s strategic calendar.
A memory shortage that is shaking up the entire industry
The current memory chip crisis does not only affect the graphics card or PC component sector. The entire tech industry is feeling the effects. GPU manufacturers have already made significant price increases, while some models have seen production halted.
According to information relayed by Insider Gaming then confirmed by Bloomberg, the surge in RAM prices would have a direct impact on the schedule of the next PlayStation. Sources close to Sony indicate that the company would seriously consider delaying the launch of the PS6.
In this context, releasing a new generation console with high memory performance would represent a significant financial risk. Production costs could weigh heavily on margins, or even force Sony to offer a particularly high launch price.
The PS6 could slip until 2029
According to available information, Sony is now considering a launch in 2028, or even 2029. This would represent a life cycle of almost nine years for the PS5, launched in 2020. Such a postponement would not be trivial. It would reflect a strategic desire to secure the supply of components and to wait for the memory market to stabilize.
At the same time, the PS6 and the future PlayStation portable would display particularly ambitious memory performance. This technological choice, designed to guarantee a clear graphic and technical advance, could actually complicate production if costs remain high. Sony would thus find itself faced with a dilemma: maintain high technical ambition or adapt its project to the realities of the components market.
Nintendo also under pressure with the Switch 2
Sony is not the only manufacturer concerned. Sources close to Nintendo have also indicated that the company would “consider increasing the price” of the Switch 2 in 2026. Nintendo has already stated that it would “carefully” evaluate the price of its next console in the face of rising costs. If the situation persists, consumers could see a faster rate increase than expected.
Regarding the current PS5, Sony reportedly said that stocks would not be affected by memory shortages until after the 2026 holiday season. This suggests that the current generation remains secure in the short term. But for future machines, the context is much more uncertain.
A completely redesigned strategic calendar?
If the PS6 does indeed release in 2029, it would completely redefine the pace of console generations. Traditionally, Sony adopts a cycle of approximately seven years between each PlayStation. A delay of nine years would mark a significant development in the manufacturer’s strategy. This could also give studios more time to fully exploit the potential of the PS5, particularly with the rise of advanced ray tracing and upscaling technologies.
Furthermore, the industry seems to be moving towards architectures that are increasingly similar to the PC. A postponement would allow Sony to integrate more mature technological advances, rather than rushing a release in an unstable economic context. For the moment, neither Sony nor Nintendo have officially confirmed this information. But if these sources are true, the PS6 generation could be the longest wait between two major consoles in PlayStation history.