Rumors around the PlayStation 6 are already shaking up the video game market, even though Sony has not yet made anything official. For several weeks, a number has been coming up repeatedly: $1,000. An amount that worries players, especially in a context where the PS5 Pro should already reach $899.
This anticipated surge in prices did not come out of nowhere. It builds on a trend observed for several years, with consoles becoming more expensive with each generation. But a new estimate, from a source deemed reliable, could well reshuffle the cards and bring expectations back to a more realistic level.
An estimate of the price of the PS6 that breaks the rumors
On the NeoGAF forum, an informant known under the pseudonym KeplerL2 puts forward a scenario very different from that feared by players. According to him, it all depends on one key factor: the cost of the components.
He thus specifies that “there is no collapse in the prices of RAM/NAND”, a central element in the manufacture of modern consoles. These components, heavily in demand in particular by projects linked to artificial intelligence, weigh heavily in the balance.
In this context, his estimate is intended to be more nuanced. He says: “My current estimate for the cost of BOMs for the PS6 is around $760, so I’d say $699 is still possible with a reasonable subsidy. The question is whether Sony will still care now that Xbox is no longer a direct competitor. »
Why console prices continue to rise
If the prospect of a PS6 for less than $800 seems reassuring, it still remains high. This inflation can be explained by several structural factors. First, the cost of electronic components continues to increase, in particular because of global demand. Infrastructure linked to artificial intelligence monopolizes a significant portion of resources, which tends to drive up prices.
Then, manufacturers’ strategies evolve. Sony, in particular, has already shown its ability to adjust its prices upwards, as evidenced by the positioning of the PS5 Pro.
Sony faces increasingly vague Xbox competition
Another key element could influence the final price: competition. Microsoft seems to be reviewing its strategy with its Helix project, which would move away from the classic console model and move closer to a PC-oriented hybrid. This transformation could weaken the direct rivalry between Xbox and PlayStation. If Sony finds itself in a dominant position, the pressure to offer an attractive price could lessen.
This scenario worries some observers, who fear a less competitive market and rising prices. In this context, the question of the price of the PS6 no longer depends only on production costs, but also on Sony’s strategic choices.
Towards a PS6 at $699, a still fragile scenario
Despite these projections, nothing is yet set in stone. The final price will largely depend on global economic developments in the years to come. Tensions on supply chains, fluctuations in material costs and overall technology demand will play a determining role. Stabilization could allow Sony to maintain a price around $699.
Conversely, a worsening of the situation could quickly increase the bill. For now, one thing is certain: the PS6 remains surrounded by uncertainties, but the most pessimistic scenarios are not necessarily the most likely.