The PS6 may be getting pushed back by years, and the reason has nothing to do with Sony

Sony is considering pushing back the launch of the PlayStation 6 to 2028 or even 2029, which would be a significant departure from the typical seven-year console cycle. This isn’t the first time such rumors have surfaced, as similar reports were circulating late last year. Sony has not officially confirmed any delay yet.

According to Digital Trends, the reason behind this potential delay has nothing to do with Sony itself. Instead, it comes down to a global memory chip shortage, which is being driven by the massive expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The surge in AI data centers is consuming large amounts of DRAM and high-bandwidth memory, leaving consumer electronics companies competing for a shrinking supply.

Companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into building AI data centers. These data centers require AI accelerators that use far more RAM than traditional PCs, and this demand is only expected to keep growing throughout the rest of the decade. As a result, memory manufacturers are shifting their production focus toward high-bandwidth memory for AI workloads, leaving less capacity for consumer devices.

A delayed PS6 could save Sony from repeating the PS5 launch nightmare

Analysts are warning that this supply imbalance could last for years, forcing tech companies to rethink their long-term product roadmaps. Launching the PS6 during a period of high component costs would likely push prices up for consumers. It also risks repeating the supply shortages that made the PS5 extremely hard to find at launch. 

Sony has had both heartwarming and controversial moments in the public eye recently, like when a couple received a surprise response from PlayStation after sending them a wedding invitation. By waiting, Sony could potentially avoid another hardware rollout marked by limited stock and inflated prices. 

This makes the delay a strategic decision rather than a sign of any weakness on Sony’s part. The global chip market, not Sony’s readiness, appears to be the deciding factor here. If the PS6 does arrive later than expected, the PlayStation 5 generation will enjoy a longer lifespan than usual. 

This gives game developers more time to support the existing hardware and release major titles without feeling pressured to transition to a new console too quickly. That said, Sony has also made some difficult decisions lately, including shutting down a beloved PlayStation studio that many fans considered untouchable.

From a consumer perspective, a longer PS5 lifespan means more games and continued support for a console that many people already own. It also means developers can get more out of the existing hardware before moving on. This kind of extended cycle has happened before in the industry, and it doesn’t necessarily mean bad news for players.

The core issue remains a structural one tied to the AI industry’s rapid growth. As long as AI infrastructure continues to demand enormous amounts of memory, consumer electronics, including gaming consoles; will feel the pressure. Whether Sony officially confirms a delay or not, the memory chip shortage is a real constraint that the entire tech industry is navigating right now.