PS6 could face major delays past 2027 as RAM shortage crisis forces Sony into unprecedented decision

PlayStation 6 could face significant delays past its originally expected 2027 release window due to skyrocketing RAM prices sparked by artificial intelligence demand. A new report from industry insiders warns that Sony and Microsoft are actively debating whether to push their next-generation consoles beyond the typical 2027-2028 timeframe as memory chip costs continue climbing. The gaming industry suddenly finds itself caught in an unforeseen crisis.

The AI Boom Is Devouring Memory Chip Supply

Artificial intelligence training and data processing demands are consuming virtually all available memory production capacity worldwide. AI systems require massive amounts of high-bandwidth memory to function, creating unprecedented competition for the same chips needed in gaming consoles.

Major semiconductor manufacturers like Micron are now prioritizing AI orders over traditional consumer electronics. According to reports from December 2025, this supply crunch could persist well into 2026 and beyond, creating a cascading effect across the entire tech industry.

Why the PS6 Needs So Much RAM

The PlayStation 6 represents a significant generational leap in specifications compared to the current PS5, which features 16GB of GDDR6 memory. Next-generation gaming demands faster access to larger datasets, enabling advanced ray tracing and machine learning features that weren’t possible on previous hardware generations.

Developers require 24-32GB of RAM to create truly next-gen experiences that justify a new console cycle. This dramatic increase in memory requirements directly conflicts with current manufacturing constraints, forcing Sony into a difficult decision about launch timing versus console affordability.

Sony Faces a Critical Manufacturing Decision

Scenario	Impact
Launch on schedule (2027)	PS6 would cost $600+ due to expensive RAM
Delay until 2028-2029	Wait for RAM prices to stabilize and decline
Reduce RAM to 16-20GB	Compromise on next-gen performance potential
Source from multiple suppliers	Wait for new manufacturing capacity (late 2026+)

PushSquare reported that Sony is “considering pushing back the PS6” to wait for RAM supplier diversification and price stabilization. The company learned lessons from previous console launches where manufacturing bottlenecks limited availability and drove up secondary market prices.

The Broader Gaming Industry Crisis

Microsoft faces identical challenges with its next-generation Xbox console. Reuters confirmed that both console makers are concerned about the entire industry’s memory supply situation, not just their own manufacturing needs.

The situation impacts PC gaming as well. Gamers building high-end gaming computers have already experienced DDR5 memory price increases of up to 171% in recent months. According to reports from late 2025, AI demand will continue dominating memory production through 2026 at minimum.

When Could the PS6 Actually Launch?

Most industry analysts now expect the PS6 to arrive sometime between late 2028 and 2029, representing a potential one to two-year delay from traditional console cycle expectations. This would extend the PS5’s lifespan to 8-9 years, which is unusual in gaming history.

However, Sony won’t formally announce delay information until significantly closer to the original launch window. The company typically keeps next-generation hardware timelines confidential until absolutely necessary to reveal them. Gamers who currently own PS5 systems should expect to play that hardware for considerably longer than previously anticipated.

“Memory prices are set to remain volatile throughout 2026, making it incredibly difficult for hardware manufacturers to predict final production costs.”

— Industry analyst reports, December 2025

Sources

• VICE – Comprehensive report on PS6 delays due to RAM shortages
• Reuters – Analysis of AI boom pressuring gaming console industry
• NPR – Reporting on AI memory chip demand affecting all consumer devices