The PlayStation 6 is likely to launch with a price well north of $1,000, according to a credible industry insider. Although the PS6 is allegedly still over a year away from release, the increasing hardware costs for console manufacturers seem poised to affect its launch price for consumers. Following Valve’s Steam Machine launch at a $1,049 price-point for its 512GB base model, Sony may be following suit with an even more expensive next-gen PlayStation.
Sony recently commented on the PlayStation 6, noting that the company is currently monitoring the ongoing RAM crisis to determine the best price and launch window for the console. Although no release date has officially been confirmed, rumors suggest that the PS6 could be delayed out of the presumed 2027 launch window as a result of rising component prices. Based on this new leak, if the console is really on track for 2027, it may come with an eye-watering price tag.
Why Valve’s $1,049 Steam Machine Is a Better Long-Term Investment Than a PS5
The Steam Machine’s heartbreaking price point might understandably turn some people off, but it’s still a better investment than a console.
Industry Insider Details PS6’s Rising Development Costs
According to reputable insider Kepler_L2, the bill of materials for the PlayStation 6 has risen to around $900 per unit. Back in March, Kepler_L2 leaked that the PS6 development cost was about $760 per unit, but they have heard since then that this cost has increased by $200 per unit over time. As a result, the predicted launch price for the PS6 will likely be over $1,000, potentially closer to $1,200, depending on logistics, marketing, and labor costs.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
The Steam Machine recently confirmed its price and June 30 release date to the tune of $1,049 for the 512GB model and $1,349 for the 2TB model. Neither of those prices includes a controller, and players would need to shell out an additional $100 for a Steam Controller in addition to those $1,000+ price tags. Despite these high prices, the Steam Machine is seeing pre-orders scalped for even more, close to double the console’s MSRP.
Compared to the current generation of PlayStation consoles, the Steam Machine seems like a much more expensive option, especially when its hardware is less powerful than a PS5 Pro. However, PlayStation 5 prices have been hiked in 2026 already, going up to $649.99 for the base PS5 model, $599.99 for the PS5 Digital Edition, and $899.99 for the PS5 Pro. It’s possible these prices could rise again before the end of the year, as Xbox recently raised its console prices by $100 to $150, depending on the console variant, showing that console makers are still suffering from the high cost of RAM.
With the PS5 Pro already nearing the $900 price point, it’s not unreasonable to assume that the PS5 will surpass the $1,000 mark. Unfortunately, the bill of materials leaked by Kepler_L2 paints an even more concerning picture, especially if the cost of materials for manufacturing a single unit of the PS6 is close to the retail price of the current PS5 Pro. While there is still time for the RAM market to adjust to the increase in demand, the current trajectory of the PS6’s development points toward an even more expensive console than the Steam Machine.
Source: Resetera
