Gamers waiting for the next generation of consoles may have to be patient. Sony is reportedly considering pushing the PlayStation 6 release to 2028 or even 2029 because of the global memory shortage.
The problem comes from the AI boom. Tech companies are buying huge amounts of memory chips for data centers, leaving fewer parts available for gadgets like game consoles. This has driven up prices for the memory and storage hardware that companies like Sony and Nintendo need to build their devices.
Bloomberg recently reported that Sony is unlikely to launch the PS6 in 2027 as many had expected. The company is now looking at a later release window. Microsoft, however, is still planning to release its next Xbox in 2027, which could give it a head start in the next console generation.
Nintendo is facing similar challenges. The company may have to raise the price of the Switch 2 just to avoid losing money on each unit sold. The console currently sells for $449 on Amazon, but analysts say Nintendo might need to price it above $500 to cover rising costs.
Industry experts say the memory shortage could last through the end of the decade. Chip makers are focusing on high-profit AI products, leaving consumer electronics to fight over what is left.
Despite the delays, details about the PS6 are already circulating online. The console is expected to feature 30GB of GDDR7 memory and use a custom AMD processor with Zen 6 CPU cores and RDNA 5 graphics. There are also rumors of a handheld version with 24GB of RAM.
For now, Sony has said it has enough memory to keep PS5 prices steady through 2026. But the longer term remains uncertain.