The PlayStation 6 According to industry analysts, it could be priced as low as $1,000 when it's essentially released. Sony recently announced price increases for its PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal systems, a move that could shape pricing plans for the next generation of consoles. Although the PlayStation 6 is still a few years away from release, with Sony reportedly delaying its launch internally, the current price hike of current-gen hardware suggests that the next generation of consoles will be even more expensive.
Not much is currently known about Sony's next-generation console, although rumors such as a detachable disc drive and handheld components for the PS6 have cropped up. On the other hand, Microsoft has teased the next generation of its Xbox with the announcement of Project Helix, which is rumored to cost anywhere between $1,000 and $1,500 when it's released. If these estimated prices are correct, the next console generation could put a tighter squeeze on gamers' wallets than ever before.
The PS6 may come out later than you think
A financial analyst explains why Sony may release the PlayStation 6 later than many previously predicted, leaving fans disappointed.
Industry analysts predict the PlayStation 6 could cost at least $1,000
In an interview with GamesRadar+, CEO of consulting firm Kantan Games, Dr. Serkan Toto says Sony's current-gen hardware price hikes are just the beginning of the company's brace for future market volatility, with US tariffs and rising component prices making it difficult to anticipate next-generation hardware. Toto points out that a $999 variant of the PS6 seems more likely considering the PS5 Pro's new price.
Toto also notes that it's possible that Sony will set a higher price for the PS6 at launch in order to ease the life of the console in the event of future deals and price drops.
GamesRadar+ also shared an interview with NYU video game professor Joost van Dreunen, who supports Toto's analysis. Dreyunen says that the current direction of the game industry sees a $1,000 console as the standard and believes that “console gaming will become an expensive luxury.” Console gamers are already facing PC gaming prices with a steady march toward the $1,000 console price, which will essentially eliminate the price advantage console gaming has for more casual gamers, as both the next-generation Xbox and PlayStation are on track to cost the same as a basic gaming PC.
PlayStation's recent price hike makes the $1,000 PS6 prediction seem reasonable
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PS5: $550 to $650
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PS5 Digital Edition: $500 to $600
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PS5 Pro: $750 to $900
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PlayStation Portal: $200 to $250
Current-gen PlayStation hardware is jumping in price from $50 to $150 by April 2, 2026. While the PlayStation 5 Standard and Digital Editions are only seeing a $100 price increase, the PS5 Pro has increased its price by $150, giving it a new MSRP of $900. It's not hard to imagine another $100 jump for the PS6 when it launches, with the next-gen console now expected to be released closer to 2028 or 2029.
The ongoing RAM crisis may be partly to blame for these on-board price hikes and console release delays, due to the need for AI data centers to utilize large amounts of RAM and many consumer RAM manufacturers stopping sales altogether. This practice has already affected PC gamers in the short term, but appears to be setting the stage for long-term effects on the console gaming market. If the PlayStation 6 is indeed going to set its price floor at $1,000, then picking up a PS5 now could pay off in the long run, as the console's lifespan can be dramatically extended, with cross-gen releases happening well into the PS6's life.
