The bill of materials for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 6 console is currently estimated to be around $960, a figure that could see the console's retail price more than double that of the PlayStation 5's launch price. This projection comes from hardware leaker KeplerL2, who noted in a NeoGAF thread that the estimated cost has increased by $200 since a previous assessment. While not an official figure from Sony, KeplerL2's history as a hardware leaker lends credibility to the report.
The escalating costs are attributed to the ongoing memory crisis, which has continued to drive up prices for essential computing and gaming components. Consoles traditionally operate on a model where they are sold at a loss or break even, with profits primarily generated through game sales and associated platform fees. However, the current BOM estimate suggests that even with this business model, the PS6's retail price could land between $900 and $1,000. This figure does not account for the additional costs associated with manufacturing and shipping the console.
Sony faces a difficult decision regarding the PS6's release timeline. The memory crisis is not expected to abate for at least another year, possibly extending past 2028. Even after supply meets demand, pricing may not stabilize immediately. This means that even if the crisis resolves by the end of 2028, normal pricing could still be years away. Given that the PS5 launched in 2020 and Sony typically updates its consoles every five to six years, the company may be forced to release the PS6 in 2028 with inflated component prices, or delay the console and risk falling behind competitors by having to restart research and development for newer hardware.
Ultimately, Sony may proceed with a higher launch price to avoid further development delays. This situation draws parallels to the Steam Machine, which launched at a high price point due to component costs. For consumers anticipating Sony's next-generation console, the current estimates indicate a significant financial investment will be required.