Sony Uncertain on PS6 Launch Date and Price as Memory Shortages Persist

Sony has stated that it has not yet decided when to launch the PlayStation 6 or how much it will cost, as memory shortages continue to impact the industry. During an investor-focused Q&A, Sony revealed it sold 1.5 million PS5 units in the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2026, down from 2.8 million in the same period the previous year. The PS5 is nearing 100 million units sold, though it still trails the PS4. Sony noted that its PS5 sales projections for the current fiscal year depend on securing memory at 'reasonable prices.'

This comes as the PS5 approaches its sixth anniversary and the highly anticipated launch of GTA 6 in November, which is expected to drive a surge in hardware sales despite recent price hikes. The question for Sony and Microsoft is whether they can meet demand during GTA 6's release. Sony does not anticipate a significant boost from GTA 6, forecasting a 6% decline in annual gaming revenue to 4.42 trillion yen (approx. $28 billion) due to lower hardware sales. However, gaming profit is expected to rise 30% thanks to higher first-party software sales and the absence of a large impairment loss related to Bungie. Insomniac's Wolverine game, due this fiscal year, should also contribute significantly.

Interestingly, Sony's profit forecast includes investment in its 'next-generation platform,' widely believed to be the PS6. Sony raised the PS5's price by $100 in the U.S. earlier this year. During the Q&A, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki cited various factors affecting console costs but assured that Sony has enough materials for the rest of 2026. He added that Sony is still determining its PS6 strategy because memory prices are expected to remain high through the 2027 fiscal year. Totoki noted that strong PlayStation demand and a growing active user base give Sony breathing room before launching the next console.

Perhaps the most intriguing comment was Sony's hint at exploring new business models and products to address the memory situation. While specifics are unclear, rumors persist that Sony is developing a cheaper handheld PlayStation 6. Recent reports also suggest that the PS6 could be delayed to 2028 or even 2029 due to the AI-fueled chip crisis. An analyst report in January indicated Sony might push the PS6 launch beyond 2028 and extend the PS5 lifecycle. David Gibson, senior analyst at MST Financial, predicted that rising memory prices won't affect short-term performance due to Sony's existing inventory but could become an issue next fiscal year (ending March 2027), potentially leading to price hikes for consumers.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced its next-gen Xbox console, Project Helix, though it is not expected to launch anytime soon.