Microsoft and Sony are considering delaying the release of their next-generation game consoles as sharply higher memory prices complicate plans for new hardware, according to industry reporting. The companies had been expected to launch successors to the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 in a 2027–2028 window, with Sony’s PlayStation 6 possibly arriving as early as 2027.
Discussions inside both companies have begun to reassess that timeline, Insider Gaming reported. “The situation has led console manufacturers to debate whether the next generation of consoles should be delayed from their intended 2027–2028 release window,” said Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, citing conversations within the industry.
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At the center of the debate are record-high DRAM prices, which have affected products ranging from gaming PCs to graphics cards. Both the next Xbox and the PS6 are expected to use GDDR7 memory, whose cost has climbed as major suppliers focus production on meeting demand from artificial intelligence data centers.
According to the report, Sony and Microsoft face a choice between postponing launches in the hope that memory prices ease or releasing new consoles at higher price points. While there is some expectation that suppliers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix may increase DRAM output, near-term relief remains uncertain.
The pressure on costs has also raised the prospect of extending the current console cycle. U.S. console sales slowed in November, and analysts cited in the discussion warned that significantly higher next-generation prices could further weigh on demand, potentially pushing manufacturers to rely longer on existing hardware such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Source: Insider Gaming