PlayStation 6 may be Sony's last console: what we know about the future release

Four years have passed since the launch of the PlayStation 5 in 2020, but many are already wondering about the future of Sony consoles. The anticipation for the next PlayStation, which may be the last in the company's history, is growing.

Although the new console is still a few years away, rumors and predictions about the PlayStation 6 (PS6) are already being actively discussed. Developers and gamers alike have many assumptions about what the next and possibly final PlayStation console will be, TechRadar Gaming writes.

Release date

An interview with Masayasu Ito, Sony's executive vice president, revealed that the company has no plans to launch a new console in the next few years. As a rule, the life cycle of Sony consoles is six to seven years, and therefore the PS6 can be expected no earlier than 2026. Given the rapid development of technology, the release cycles of new models may be shorter. However, judging by the company's experience, the next generation will appear no earlier than in 2027 or 2028.

Predecessors

Before the launch of the PS6, Sony plans to release the PS5 Pro in November 2024. This device, which will be a mid-range upgrade between the PS5 and PS6, will have an improved GPU, better ray tracing, and artificial intelligence for scaling. The PS5 Pro, which will cost $699, will allow the company to remain competitive until the next generation arrives. It also makes it clear that Sony is actively testing market opportunities and preparing for the future releases.

Possible price

Although the price of the PS6 has not been announced yet, we can assume that it will be higher than the cost of previous models. The PS5 was released at a price of $499, and the PS5 Slim was priced at $499 for the physical version. Taking into account inflation and rising game development costs, it is expected that the price of PS6 could reach $600 at the time of release. Given the prices for the PS5 Pro, the cost of the new PlayStation could also be substantial, but specific figures remain only forecasts for now.

Expectations

Gamers are already dreaming about what the next console will be like. One of the biggest expectations is improved graphics and performance. The PS6 is expected to have an even higher 4K resolution, improved frame rates, and smaller game sizes. Since PS5 games already take up to 150 GB of storage, PS6 will need to optimize this data to avoid even larger file sizes.

Additionally, fans want to see new exclusives in the updated lineup, as well as the return of classic franchises such as Sly Cooper and Twisted Metal. This will make the launch of PS6 bright and attractive for old-school fans.

Price fluctuations

Analysts believe that the price of PS6 will depend on market development and inflation. For example, Mat Piscatella of Circana predicts that prices for new console systems will rise, and the PS6 may cost around $600. Such a price increase will be fair given the rising cost of components and game development. However, this trend may affect the demand among players, especially those who choose less expensive options.

Variants

Not long ago, there were rumors that the PS6 could come in two different variants, similar to the previous generation. Sources indicate that Sony is planning to release different models with different features and prices. This will allow to meet the needs of various categories of consumers and increase the availability of the new PlayStation.

Partnership with AMD

According to recent reports, Sony has once again chosen AMD to develop chips for the PS6. This partnership started with the PS5 and is likely to continue in the future. AMD chips were an important component in the success of the previous console, and therefore their choice for the PS6 seems to be a logical step. In particular, it is known that these chips will provide even higher performance than those used in the PS5.

According to Microsoft's forecasts, the successors to consoles such as PS6 and Xbox Series X may not appear until 2028. This could mean that gamers will see new platforms eight years after the launch of the PS5. This scenario seems quite realistic, given the pace of technological progress and the need for longer development of new games. And even if PS6 becomes the last console, it will definitely leave an indelible mark on the video game world.

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