PS6 Could Launch at Almost Twice the Price of the PS5

Sony’s next PlayStation console could launch with a price approaching $1,000 as the continuing memory shortage drives up the cost of gaming hardware.

Hardware leaker KeplerL2 claims the estimated bill of materials for the PlayStation 6 has increased by $200 since an earlier estimate of $760. The cost of the console’s components alone is now reportedly around $960. Sony has not confirmed the estimate, specifications, price, or release date of the PS6.

Rising Component Costs

The bill of materials covers the components required to produce a device but does not include assembly, packaging, transportation, marketing or retail expenses.

If the reported $960 estimate is accurate, Sony would need to absorb part of the cost or sell the PS6 for around $900 to $1,000. That would place it at roughly twice the original $499 launch price of the disc-based PS5.

Consoles have traditionally been sold at a loss or close to their manufacturing cost because platform owners continue earning money from games, subscriptions and other services after the hardware purchase.

This allows Sony and Microsoft to accept smaller hardware margins in exchange for securing customers within their platforms for several years.

Memory Crisis

The reported increase comes as AI data centres consume growing amounts of memory, reducing the supply available for computers, consoles and other consumer electronics.

Gartner expects combined DRAM and solid-state storage prices to rise sharply during 2026, while retailers have warned that the shortage will increase the prices of phones, laptops and other devices.

The shortage may continue beyond next year, and prices may take additional time to return to normal even after production catches up with demand.

Difficult Timing For Sony

Sony launched the PS5 in 2020 and has generally introduced a new PlayStation generation every five to seven years.

The company could release the PS6 while memory remains expensive or delay it until market conditions improve. However, waiting several more years could require Sony to revise parts of the hardware to prevent the console from falling behind newer technology.

Reports remain divided over the timing. Some leaks point to 2027, while analysts believe the PS6 may not arrive before 2028. Sony has said it has not yet decided the console’s final launch date or price.