The PlayStation 6 could arrive with an eye-watering price tag. A well-known hardware insider claims that the console’s memory and storage components alone will cost Sony more than $680 per unit.
The claim comes from KeplerL2, a leaker with a solid track record on AMD hardware. Posting on the NeoGAF forum, they said “RAM + NAND alone” will now cost upwards of $680 for each PS6. They added that these parts were much cheaper when Sony locked in the console’s design.
AI demand is driving up costs
The jump is down to a global shortage of memory and storage, as AI data centres soak up huge amounts of supply. Prices for consumer electronics have climbed across the board as a result, and the PS5 now costs $200 / £200 more than it did at launch, an increase of over 50%.
It’s likely the shortage has shaken up Sony’s plans for the PS6, which earlier reports suggested could launch as soon as next year. Microsoft has already confirmed its own next-gen console, codenamed Helix, and has warned it may need to explore new business models to cover the rising costs.
Will next-gen consoles cost $1,000?
With console prices already at record highs, analysts have been debating whether the next generation will break the $1,000 barrier.
Aldora CEO Joost van Dreunen thinks it’s a certainty. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, he suggested the next generation might not arrive until 2028, and said that when it does, “north of a grand is the floor.”
Newzoo’s Manu Rosier was more cautious. He noted that the PS5 Pro has already reached $899 after two price rises in under a year, which leaves it close to $1,000. Even so, he expects base next-gen models to stay below $999 “for psychological and marketing reasons”, though premium versions could go higher.
Rosier also pointed out that manufacturers have no control over component costs, and that AI-driven demand for memory and storage shows no sign of slowing down. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has already admitted memory costs will affect Helix’s pricing and availability.
Sony hasn’t commented on the PS6’s price, so take these figures with a pinch of salt for now. But if they’re accurate, the next generation of consoles could be the most expensive yet.
How much would you be willing to pay for a PS6?