Sony PlayStation 6 may be delayed to 2028 or later as AI chip demand reshapes console timelines

Sony Playstation

• Sony may delay PlayStation 6 launch to 2028 or 2029
• Global AI chip demand is causing memory shortages for consoles
• Delaying PS6 could help avoid high prices and supply issues

Did our AI summary help?

If you were expecting Sony’s next PlayStation to follow the familiar seven-year console cycle, it may be time to recalibrate expectations. A new report from Bloomberg suggests Sony is considering delaying the launch of the PlayStation 6 to 2028 or even 2029. That would mark a notable departure from the company’s historical rhythm and extend the lifespan of the current PlayStation 5 generation well beyond what many had anticipated.

The reason is not a lack of demand or technological readiness. Instead, it comes down to a global memory chip crunch driven by the explosive growth of AI infrastructure.

How AI is reshaping hardware priorities

According to the report, major technology companies including Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are collectively spending hundreds of billions of dollars building AI data centres. These facilities rely on vast numbers of AI accelerators, each of which requires significantly more memory than traditional consumer hardware.

High-bandwidth memory and advanced DRAM, both critical for AI workloads, are now in intense demand. As a result, memory manufacturers are prioritising production for data centres over consumer electronics. Smartphones, laptops, and game consoles are effectively competing for a shrinking slice of global memory supply.

Industry analysts cited in the report warn that this imbalance is unlikely to ease anytime soon. With AI investment accelerating through the rest of the decade, component costs are expected to remain elevated, forcing hardware makers to rethink launch timelines and pricing strategies.

Why waiting could benefit Sony

 In this context, delaying the PS6 may be a calculated move. Launching a new console during a period of constrained supply and high component costs would almost certainly push retail prices higher. It also risks a repeat of the PlayStation 5 rollout, which was plagued by shortages and scalping for nearly two years after launch.

By waiting until memory supply stabilises, Sony could aim for a smoother launch with better availability and more predictable pricing. A longer PS5 generation also gives developers additional runway to fully exploit the current hardware, rather than rushing into another costly transition.

For players, that could mean continued support for existing consoles and a steadier flow of big-budget releases, instead of an abrupt generational shift.

Sony has not officially commented on the report, and any PS6 launch window remains unconfirmed. Still, if the Bloomberg analysis proves accurate, the next PlayStation era may arrive later than expected — shaped not by gaming demand, but by the global race to build AI infrastructure.