The PlayStation 6 could be priced as low as $1,000 when it inevitably releases, according to industry analysts. Sony recently announced a price increase for its PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal systems, a move that could shape the pricing plans for the next generation of consoles. Despite the PlayStation 6 still likely being a few years away from release, after Sony reportedly delayed its launch internally, the recent price hike of current-gen hardware suggests that the next generation of consoles will be even more expensive.
Not much is currently known about Sony’s next-generation console, although rumors such as a detachable disk drive and a handheld component for the PS6 have cropped up. Microsoft, on the other hand, has already teased its next generation of Xbox with the announcement of Project Helix, which is also rumored to cost anywhere between $1,000 and $1,500 when it releases. If these projected prices are accurate, the next console generation could be a tighter squeeze on gamers’ wallets than ever before.
The PS6 May Come Out Later Than You Think
A financial analyst explains why Sony may release the PlayStation 6 later than many earlier predictions suggested, disappointing fans.
Industry Analysts Predict PlayStation 6 Could Cost a Minimum of $1,000
In an interview with GamesRadar+, CEO of consultancy firm Kantan Games, Dr. Serkan Toto, explains that Sony’s recent price increase for current-gen hardware is the beginning of the company’s brace for future market fluctuations, as instability with the United States’ tariffs and rising prices of components make the next generation of hardware difficult to anticipate. Toto goes on to state that a $999 variant of the PS6 seems very possible, given the new price of the PS5 Pro.
Toto also notes that it’s possible Sony will price the PS6 high at launch in order to provide future deals and price drops in the event the market smooths out over the console’s life.
GamesRadar+ also shared an interview with NYU video games professor Joost van Dreunen, who supports Toto’s analysis. Dreunen says that the current direction of the games industry is one that sees a $1,000 console as the norm and believes that “console gaming will become a luxury expenditure.” Console gamers are already facing PC gaming prices with the steady march toward a $1,000 console price, which would essentially eliminate the advantage of value that console gaming had for more casual players, as both the next-generation Xbox and PlayStation are on track to cost the same as a basic gaming PC.
PlayStation’s Recent Price Hike Makes a $1,000 PS6 Prediction Seem Reasonable
- PS5: From $550 to $650
- PS5 Digital Edition: From $500 to $600
- PS5 Pro: From $750 to $900
- PlayStation Portal: From $200 to $250
Current-gen PlayStation hardware is jumping anywhere from $50 to $150 in price as soon as April 2, 2026. While the PlayStation 5 Standard and Digital Editions are only seeing a $100 price increase, the PS5 Pro will have its price increased by $150, giving it a new MSRP of $900. It’s not hard to imagine another $100 jump for the PS6 when it launches, given that the next-gen console is now expected to be released closer to 2028 or 2029.
The ongoing RAM crisis may be partially to blame for these across-the-board price increases and console release delays, stemming from the need for AI data centers to utilize large amounts of RAM and causing many consumer RAM manufacturers to halt sales entirely. This practice has already affected PC gamers in the short term, but seems to be setting the stage for long-term effects on the console gaming market as well. If the PlayStation 6 is really going to set its price floor at $1,000, then picking up a PS5 right now may pay off in the long run, as the lifespan of the console could be extended dramatically, with cross-gen releases happening well into the PS6’s life to account for a limited adoption by fans turned off by the high price tag.
