The launch of Sony’s next-generation PlayStation and Valve’s upcoming gaming hardware could be delayed as rising memory prices and weaker console sales add pressure on manufacturers, according to analysts cited in a recent Reuters report.
Surging demand from the artificial intelligence sector has tightened supplies of memory and storage chips, with major producers prioritising enterprise customers over consumer electronics. The shift has contributed to higher costs across the hardware market, prompting price increases for laptops, prebuilt PCs and other devices.
See also: Steam Machine Release Timing Uncertain as Component Costs Rise
Valve is expected to introduce a new Steam Machine-style system as early as the first quarter of 2026, though industry sources say elevated DRAM and storage prices could persist for several years. Those costs may force companies to raise retail prices or reconsider launch timelines if market conditions do not improve.
Sony faces similar challenges as it plans its next PlayStation console, commonly referred to as the PS6, which analysts generally expect to arrive in 2027 or 2028. Higher prices for advanced graphics memory, including GDDR7, are also expected to affect the cost structure of future gaming consoles and graphics processors.
At the same time, console demand has softened. U.S. data from Circana showed hardware sales fell 27% year on year in November 2025, and analyst Jacob Bourne of eMarketer said the combination of rising component costs and slower sales means “we might see console makers delay releases.”
Source: Reuters