Memory Chip Shortage Threatens to Delay PS6 Launch Until 2028 or 2029, Analysts Warn

The global semiconductor industry is facing an unprecedented crisis that could have far-reaching consequences for the gaming world, with industry analysts now warning that Sony’s highly anticipated PlayStation 6 console might not arrive until the tail end of the decade. The culprit? An insatiable demand for memory chips from artificial intelligence companies that’s creating a perfect storm of supply constraints and skyrocketing prices.

According to exclusive insights shared with Bloomberg, Sony executives are grappling with what one source described as a “major upset” to their carefully laid plans for the next-generation console. The current market dynamics, where AI giants are essentially vacuuming up available memory chip inventory, have forced the Japanese gaming giant to reconsider its entire launch timeline strategy.

Sources familiar with Sony’s internal discussions suggest that the company is now seriously contemplating pushing back the PS6’s debut from its originally planned window to either 2028 or potentially even 2029. This significant delay would represent a departure from Sony’s traditional console release cadence, which has typically seen new PlayStation iterations arrive approximately every six to seven years.

The timing of this potential delay is particularly noteworthy when viewed against the backdrop of the PS5’s lifecycle. Launched in November 2020, the current-generation console is now approaching its sixth year on the market. A 2028 or 2029 PS6 launch would mean the PS5 would have enjoyed an exceptionally long lifecycle, potentially stretching to eight or nine years—a duration more commonly associated with PC hardware refresh cycles than console generations.

This latest intelligence aligns remarkably well with predictions made earlier this year by senior industry analyst Hideki Yasuda of Ace Research Institute. In January, Yasuda told investors there was a “high likelihood that the PS6 launch will occur after 2028,” citing similar concerns about component availability and pricing pressures.

The memory chip shortage isn’t just affecting Sony’s future plans—it’s already impacting current operations. While the company recently confirmed it has secured sufficient memory supplies to meet PS5 demand through the crucial 2026 holiday season, executives are actively engaged in negotiations with multiple suppliers to ensure a stable supply chain for the years beyond.

During a recent earnings call, Sony’s Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of the near-term situation. “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,” Tao stated. However, the CFO’s carefully chosen words suggest that challenges lie ahead for the company’s longer-term component strategy.

The root of this crisis lies in the explosive growth of the AI sector, which has created demand for high-performance memory chips that simply didn’t exist a few years ago. Companies developing large language models, generative AI systems, and other advanced computing applications are competing directly with consumer electronics manufacturers for the same silicon resources. This competition has driven prices up dramatically and created allocation challenges that ripple through the entire technology supply chain.

Industry experts note that this situation represents a fundamental shift in the semiconductor market. For decades, consumer electronics—including gaming consoles—were among the largest consumers of memory chips. Now, AI infrastructure has become the dominant force, fundamentally altering the economics and logistics of chip production and distribution.

The potential PS6 delay also raises interesting questions about Sony’s competitive positioning. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S launched simultaneously with the PS5 in 2020, and while the company has taken a different approach to console generation transitions with its Xbox Game Pass ecosystem and cloud gaming initiatives, any delay to the PS6 could provide Microsoft with a temporary window of opportunity to strengthen its market position.

For gamers, the prospect of waiting until 2028 or 2029 for the PS6 represents a significant adjustment to expectations. The PS4-to-PS5 transition was already a lengthy one, and extending the PS5’s relevance even further would test the patience of enthusiasts eager for next-generation experiences. However, it might also mean that when the PS6 does arrive, it could be a more powerful and feature-complete system, benefiting from additional development time and potentially more stable component pricing.

The situation also highlights the interconnected nature of modern technology ecosystems. A shortage driven primarily by AI hardware demand could ultimately reshape the timeline of one of gaming’s most important franchises, demonstrating how developments in one sector can have unexpected consequences across seemingly unrelated industries.

As Sony continues to navigate these challenges, the gaming community will undoubtedly be watching closely for any official announcements regarding the PS6’s status. For now, the message from Sony remains focused on maximizing the PS5’s potential while quietly working behind the scenes to secure the components necessary for whatever comes next—whenever that might be.

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