PlayStation 6 Price Might Top $1,000 With Late Release Date

Hardware costs and AI data center demand could push the PlayStation 6 price past $1,000 and delay its launch.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 20, 2026 · 4:59 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

RAM and NAND storage for the PlayStation 6 could cost more than $680 per unit according to insider KeplerL2.

The PS5 costs over 50% more than its launch price after increases of about $200 / £200.

Aldora CEO Joost van Dreunen stated the next console generation might not arrive until 2028.

Newzoo director Manu Rosier stated the PS5 Pro currently costs $899 after two price increases within a year.

Sony might encounter a serious pricing issue regarding the PlayStation 6 because the RAM and NAND storage alone could exceed $680 per unit, stated hardware insider KeplerL2 on the NeoGAF forum.

KeplerL2, known for past accurate reports regarding AMD hardware, explained that these parts were much cheaper when Sony locked in the console design.

Memory and Storage Costs Have Surged

Values for memory and storage have climbed sharply over recent years, driven primarily by heavy demand from AI data centers.

This market pressure already impacts consumer electronics costs.

The PS5 currently costs more than 50% above its launch price, following hikes of roughly $200 / £200.

This wider parts shortage will likely impact Sony schedules for the PS6, previously rumored for a release as soon as 2027.

PS6 Launch Could Slip to 2028

Market analysts already doubt if next-generation consoles can release under $1,000 while hardware prices stay at record levels.

Joost van Dreunen, CEO of Aldora, told GamesIndustry.biz that the upcoming console generation might wait 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.

He added that existing consoles are also growing pricier.

Base PS6 Could Still Stay Below $1,000

Manu Rosier, market intelligence director at Newzoo, shared a different perspective.

He stated that luxury editions of next-gen consoles might cross $1,000, yet expects base units to stay under $999 for marketing and psychological purposes.

Rosier noted the PS5 Pro already costs $899 following two price bumps in a year, leaving a small gap between current premium hardware and $1,000.

He stated makers hold small control over part prices and sees no indication that AI-driven memory and storage demand is slowing.

Xbox Is Facing the Same Problem

Microsoft is working on its next-gen Xbox machine as well, carrying the codename Helix.

Xbox cautioned that climbing hardware expenses could impact pricing and supply, mentioning it explores alternative business models to keep its upcoming console budget-friendly.

According to Rosier, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma mentioned that memory expenses will influence Project Helix pricing and availability.

If KeplerL2 is correct, Sony could face a matching hurdle on an even bigger scale, with over $680 spent on RAM and storage before factoring in the processor, cooling system, motherboard, power supply, chassis, controller, manufacturing and other parts.

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