🎮 Sony is weighing a later launch for the PlayStation 6, potentially moving it from a tentative 2027 window to 2028 or even 2029, as a global memory chip shortage squeezes supply 158. Much of the strain comes from major manufacturers Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron shifting production toward high-bandwidth memory for Nvidia’s AI accelerators, leaving less capacity for the conventional DRAM gaming consoles rely on 5.
Sony says it has already secured enough memory to meet PS5 demand through the 2026 holiday season (October-December 2026) and is in talks with suppliers to lock in longer-term supply 10.
Sources
- The PS6 Launch Could Be Delayed Multiple Years By AI Hyperscalers [kotaku.com] (2026-02-16)
- PlayStation 6 Won’t Include the Full AMD RDNA 5 Feature Set, Claims Leaker [wccftech.com] (2026-02-16)
- Rumor: Memory Supply Issues Could Lead To PS6 Delay To 2029, Switch 2 Price Increase This Year [gameranx.com] (2026-02-16)
- Rumor: PlayStation 6 Isn’t Going To Have “Full RDNA 5” [gameranx.com] (2026-02-16)
- Sony May Push Next PlayStation To 2028 or 2029 as AI-fueled Memory Chip Shortage Upends Plans [slashdot.org] (2026-02-16)
- Report: The PlayStation 6 Won’t Launch Until 2028 Or 2029 Due To AI Data Centers Buying Up RAM [mxdwn.com] (2026-02-16)
- Sony Considering PS6 Delay to 2028 or Even 2029, New Report Says [pushsquare.com] (2026-02-16)
- Sony reportedly mulling PS6 delay while Nintendo eyes Switch 2 price hike as AI-driven RAM shortages continue [eurogamer.net] (2026-02-16)
- PS6 could reportedly be delayed while Switch 2 might get even more expensive as Sony and Nintendo reckon with brutal AI-led memory chip shortage [gamesradar.com] (2026-02-16)
- PS6 Plans Reportedly Thrown Into Uncertainty By AI Hardware Demand [gamespot.com] (2026-02-16)
- Sony could delay PS6 release to 2028 or 2029 as AI-driven shortage sends consumer tech companies scrambling for memory chips [gamesindustry.biz] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- AMD partnership: Industry leakers claim the PS6 will use AMD graphics technology but won’t include the full AMD RDNA 5 feature set 24
- Previous estimates: In January 2026, MST Financial Senior Research Analyst David Gibson said the PS6 would likely launch after 2028—even before the latest memory crunch intensified 210
- Switch 2 impact: Nintendo is weighing a different response to the same memory crunch—raising Switch 2 prices in 2026 rather than delaying the launch 39
As for securing a supply of memory, we are already in a position to secure the minimum quantity necessary to manage the year-end selling season of next fiscal year--October to December 2026
— Lin Tao, Sony CFO — GameSpot
Perspectives
MST Financial (David Gibson): Senior Research Analyst David Gibson said the memory squeeze creates a "high likelihood that the PS6 launch will occur after 2028," calling it a "major upset" for Sony’s hardware roadmap.
Bloomberg sources: People familiar with Sony’s thinking say the company is actively weighing 2028-2029 rather than committing to a firm date, signaling that internal discussions are still in motion.
Industry analysts: Analysts speaking to Bloomberg point to AI companies buying up available memory stock, creating unusually stiff competition for components that typically go to consumer electronics.
Historical Background
Console generations usually last 6-7 years, with PlayStation 4 launching in 2013 and PS5 in 2020 [common]. Sony has typically kept a steady hardware cadence, balancing new technology with development costs and market timing [common].