PS6 release “likely” delayed with PS5 lifecycle extended, analyst claims

The release of the PS6 is “likely” delayed, with the PS5 lifecycle extended, according to CFA senior analyst David Gibson of Sandstone Insight Japan. Sony has never publicly announced a release window for the PlayStation 6, but rumors have suggested that the company’s next-generation console could launch in either 2027 or 2028.

Gibson is an analyst with more than 20 years of experience covering Japanese technology companies. While the full report is paywalled, a translation of key snippets visible on the first page claims that “Sony sees the PS5’s lifecycle extended,” and that “the release of the PS6 is expected to be later than many expected”.

Previously, Insider Gaming owner Tom Henderson reported on the possibility of a delay for both the PS6 and the next Xbox due to rising RAM prices.

In a report published in late December 2025, Henderson shared that RAM price increases “due to the rise in AI could delay the next generation” of Xbox and PlayStation, as the video games “industry as a whole is concerned about RAM availability” and the ability to mass-produce consoles while maintaining a competitive price point.

RAM is high-speed, short-term memory inside a console that stores active game data so the CPU and GPU can access it instantly. The base PS5 includes 16GB of GDDR6 RAM, which enables near-instant loading times, smooth frame rates, and high-quality textures.

Insider Gaming further claims that rising RAM prices could result in PS5 price increases during 2026, and have led console manufacturers to consider delaying the next generation of PlayStation and Xbox beyond their “intended 2027–2028 release window”.

A delayed PS6 release could give PS5 the time it needs to fully flourish

There are no guarantees that the PS6 will be delayed, and Sony has not officially announced a release window. Rumors have pointed to a 2027 launch “unless any unexpected delays happen,” while Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino said in 2025 that the PS6 was “top of mind,” suggesting it may only be a few years away.

While there is no confirmed release date beyond speculation, a behind-the-scenes delay to 2029 or even 2030 could prove beneficial, giving the PS5 the time it needs to fully flourish.

The PS5 launched in 2020 and has seen several standout titles, including Baldur’s Gate 3 and Clair Obscur Expedition 33. However, despite the console being on the market for five years, it has only recently begun to feel as though developers are fully taking advantage of its power, largely due to publishers prioritizing cross-generation releases on both PS4 and PS5.

There is also significant remaining sales potential for the PS5. GTA 6 is expected to be the biggest entertainment launch in history when it hopefully releases on November 19, and insider Jason Schreier has claimed that Sony is treating GTA 6 as a PS5 exclusive due to the number of consoles it’s expected to sell, because of how the new Grand Theft Auto is not launching on PC.

While there are reasons to be excited about the PS6, such as rumors of a handheld device, the PS5 remains plenty powerful to support ambitious games for years to come. Additionally, although the PS6 is rumored to cost roughly half as much as the next Xbox, it would still likely be extremely expensive, while offering limited incentive for consumers, given that the PS5 would most definitely remain supported for many years, much like the PS4.