PS6 Could Cost More Than $1,000 as Launch May Slip to 2028, Insider Claims
The PS6 price could top $1,000, with Sony’s next console possibly delayed to 2028, according to hardware insider KeplerL2.
The insider, who has previously reported accurately on AMD hardware, wrote on the NeoGAF forum that the PS6’s RAM and NAND storage alone may cost Sony more than $680 per unit, according to ProPakistani. Those components were far cheaper when Sony finalised the console’s design.
Why the PS6 price is expected to explode
Memory and storage prices have risen sharply in recent years, driven largely by enormous demand from AI data centres. That pressure is already flowing into consumer electronics.
The PS5 now costs more than 50% above its launch price after increases of around $200. The PS5 Pro already sells for $899 after two price rises within a year, leaving little room between today’s premium hardware and the $1,000 mark.
Sony had earlier been rumoured to target a PS6 launch as early as 2027. KeplerL2’s claim suggests that timeline is slipping.
What industry analysts say
Analysts have already questioned whether next-generation consoles can launch above $1,000 while hardware prices sit at record highs.
Aldora CEO Joost van Dreunen told GamesIndustry.biz that the next console generation may not arrive until 2028. “At this rate, the next generation may not even release until 2028, and when it does, north of a grand is the floor,” he said.
Newzoo market intelligence director Manu Rosier offered a slightly different view. He said premium versions of next-generation consoles could exceed $1,000, but believes base models will likely stay below $999 for marketing and psychological reasons.
Rosier added that manufacturers have limited control over component prices, and there is currently no sign of AI-driven demand for memory and storage cooling down.
Xbox faces the same squeeze
Microsoft is developing its next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Helix. The company has already warned that rising hardware costs could affect both pricing and availability, and says it is considering new business models to make its next console more affordable.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has also said memory costs will affect Project Helix pricing and availability. If KeplerL2’s claim is accurate, Sony faces the same challenge on an even larger scale: more than $680 going toward RAM and storage before the processor, cooling, motherboard, power supply, chassis, controller, manufacturing and other costs.
What it could mean for Pakistani gamers
A PS6 price above $1,000 would hit Pakistani buyers especially hard. Imported consoles already sell well above global prices once duties, dealer margins and the exchange rate are factored in, so a four-figure launch tag would push the next generation further out of reach for most local buyers.
The second-hand market and older hardware would likely stay in demand much longer. Gamers here are already spoiled for choice on the software side, with GTA 6’s PC release reportedly set for early 2027 and Forza Horizon 6 becoming the highest-earning first-party game of 2026. Those watching their wallets can also track the latest tech launches like the Redmi K100 and read about the jailbroken PS5’s system software requirements before upgrading.
Frequently asked questions
When will the PS6 launch?
Rumours earlier pointed to 2027, but insider KeplerL2 and analyst Joost van Dreunen now suggest the launch could slip to 2028 as component costs remain at record highs.
How much will the PS6 cost?
KeplerL2 claims RAM and storage alone could cost Sony more than $680 per unit, which would push the retail price above $1,000. Newzoo’s Manu Rosier thinks base models may still stay below $999 for marketing reasons.
Why is the PS6 expected to be so expensive?
Surging demand for memory and storage from AI data centres has driven component prices to record levels. The PS5 Pro already costs $899, showing how far prices have moved.
Is Xbox facing the same problem?
Yes. Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox, codenamed Helix, faces the same memory-cost pressure. Xbox has warned that rising hardware costs could affect pricing and availability of its next console.
