Sony's next-generation console, the PlayStation 6, does not have an internal release date, according to Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki. The ongoing global component shortage is significantly affecting console manufacturing and has left the company unable to set a target for the PS6's launch.
Totoki disclosed this in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, which highlighted how various segments of Sony's hardware business are feeling the strain of supply chain disruptions. These issues have been exacerbated by increasing demand from AI data centers, geopolitical conflicts, and allegations of price fixing. Analysts had previously speculated a potential 2027 release for the PS6, but Sony itself has not committed to a timeline.
This situation echoes previous statements from Totoki in May, where he indicated the need to carefully monitor market conditions, particularly noting that memory prices were expected to remain high through fiscal year 2027. "We must think carefully what we will do," he stated at the time regarding future hardware plans.
The prolonged uncertainty suggests a significant wait for the PlayStation 6. It is also anticipated that Sony will continue its push towards an all-digital future, potentially phasing out physical discs entirely by 2028, a move that has faced consumer resistance. The company is also expected to further emphasize subscription services and cross-generational game support for its future hardware strategies.