Should you had been anticipating the PlayStation 6 to reach on the standard console timeline, it could be time to reset expectations. A brand new report from Bloomberg suggests Sony is contemplating pushing again the subsequent PlayStation launch to 2028 and even 2029, a big shift from the everyday seven-year console cycle. Curiously, that is one thing that was rumored late final yr, too.
The reason being not an absence of ambition or demand. It’s a world reminiscence chip scarcity pushed by the speedy enlargement of AI infrastructure. In accordance with the Bloomberg report, the surge in AI knowledge facilities is consuming large quantities of DRAM and high-bandwidth reminiscence, leaving client electronics corporations competing for a shrinking provide.
The AI growth is reshaping console timelines
The Bloomberg report explains that corporations equivalent to Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are pouring a whole bunch of billions of {dollars} into AI knowledge facilities, shopping for enormous numbers of AI accelerators that require huge quantities of reminiscence. Every new era of AI {hardware} makes use of way more RAM than conventional PCs, and that demand is predicted to maintain rising by way of the remainder of the last decade.
Because of this, reminiscence producers are shifting manufacturing towards high-bandwidth reminiscence for AI workloads, leaving much less capability for client electronics like smartphones, laptops, and sport consoles. The truth is, analysts warn that this provide imbalance shouldn’t be short-term and will final for years, forcing corporations to rethink long-term product roadmaps.
In such a situation, delaying the PS6 could also be a strategic transfer from Sony. Launching a brand new console throughout a interval of excessive element prices would doubtless push costs increased and threat repeating the provision shortages seen throughout the PS5 launch. By ready, Sony might keep away from one other {hardware} rollout stricken by restricted inventory and inflated costs.
That stated, if the PS6 arrives later than anticipated, the PS5 era will doubtless take pleasure in an extended lifespan, giving builders extra time to assist present {hardware} and proceed releasing main titles with out dashing the subsequent transition. For now, although, Sony has not formally confirmed the delay. But when these reviews maintain true, the subsequent PlayStation period might take slightly longer to reach.