The PS5 is six years previous, however the place’s the PlayStation 6? Right here’s every thing we find out about Sony’s next-gen console
The PlayStation 5 is skipping in direction of its sixth birthday, though it won’t really feel that method should you spent its early years staring on the relentless “out of inventory” messages in your cellphone. Pandemic-related shortages made the console tough to purchase till effectively into 2022, that means many homeowners joined the era significantly later.
The PS5 didn’t instantly depart its predecessor behind, both. Cross-generation releases saved the PS4 related for longer than typical, delaying the purpose at which PS5 actually felt like Sony’s major console. However with the PS5 Professional now on sale and the unique {hardware} effectively into its life cycle, we’re all greater than prepared for what comes subsequent.
There’s nonetheless no official PS6 announcement, launch date, or design, thoughts. Credible studies about its processor, mixed with Sony’s ongoing work with AMD, nonetheless supply some helpful clues concerning the subsequent PlayStation, although. So with that stated, let’s dive into every thing we (doubtless) know concerning the PlayStation 6 to this point…
Sony PS6: launch date and value
Sony hasn’t introduced a PlayStation 6 launch date, although present estimates vary from late 2027 to 2029. Beforehand, Sony adopted a remarkably tidy seven-year sample. The PS3 launched in 2006, the PS4 adopted in 2013, and the PS5 arrived in 2020. Proceed that rhythm, and the PS6 would launch in direction of the top of 2027.
Nevertheless, in February 2026, Bloomberg reported that Sony was contemplating pushing its subsequent console again to 2028 and even 2029, as hovering demand from AI knowledge centres positioned stress on reminiscence provides and costs.
Sony hasn’t confirmed these dates. At a Recreation and Community Companies presentation in June 2026, PlayStation boss Hideaki Nishino stated the corporate was investing in “the following era of the platform and associated content material”, however didn’t reveal when it will arrive.
There’s little purpose to hurry from the corporate’s perspective, I suppose. Sony reported an put in base of greater than 93 million PS5 consoles as of March 2026, whereas PS5 Professional launched lower than two years in the past. Late 2027 stays attainable, however 2028 more and more appears to be like just like the safer prediction.
There’s no dependable PS6 value both. The unique PS5 launched at $499.99 / £449.99 with a disc drive, whereas the Digital Version value $399.99 / £359.99. The PS5 Professional then launched at $699.99 / £699.99 with out a drive or vertical stand.
These costs have since risen significantly. Since 2 April 2026, Sony’s really helpful costs have been $649.99 / £569.99 for the PS5, $599.99 / £519.99 for the Digital Version, and $899.99 / £789.99 for the PS5 Professional.
That makes an affordable PS6 look unlikely, however we might see a miracle involving reminiscence prices, tariffs, alternate charges and Sony’s willingness to subsidise the {hardware}. I doubt it, although.
Sony PS6: design and fashions
We haven’t even bought a blurry leaked snap of a PS6 console to go by on the time of writing. Sony hasn’t proven a single factor off both, so all the photographs circulating on-line are unofficial ideas.
Nonetheless, the present PS5 vary might supply some hints. Sony’s newer modular design permits an Extremely HD Blu-ray drive to be connected to appropriate digital PS5 consoles, whereas the PS5 Professional is offered with out one.
Utilizing the identical strategy for the PlayStation 6 might let Sony supply one core console – both alone, or bundled with a drive. In principle, this might present a less expensive digital choice with out abandoning folks with bodily PS4 and PS5 libraries. As for the extortionate value of digital video games doubtless outweighing any upfront prices? That’s a wholly totally different rant worthy of its personal function. One other time, maybe.
Sony PS6: specs, energy, and efficiency
Sony hasn’t introduced any PlayStation 6 specs, which implies that something you examine its processor, reminiscence, and efficiency needs to be slathered in salt.
Reuters, for instance, reported that AMD beat Intel in a 2022 bidding course of to design the chip for Sony’s subsequent PlayStation. AMD already supplies the customized chips used within the PS4, PS5 and PS5 Professional, so it’s actually not the craziest hearsay we’ve seen. Removed from it, the truth is.
Sticking with AMD ought to assist builders carry their current instruments into the following era and make backwards compatibility simpler. Actually, Reuters reported that the potential compatibility issues brought on by switching to Intel fashioned a part of the businesses’ discussions.
Sony and AMD are additionally collaborating on future graphics and machine-learning know-how via Venture Amethyst. It isn’t formally described as a PS6 mission, however PlayStation architect Mark Cerny has stated he appears to be like ahead to bringing the ensuing know-how to a future console “in a couple of years’ time”.
The businesses have outlined three developments: Neural Arrays would enable separate machine-learning models to cooperate on bigger duties. Radiance Cores are devoted {hardware} designed to speed up ray tracing and path tracing, whereas Common Compression goals to scale back the reminiscence bandwidth consumed by several types of knowledge. All three applied sciences existed solely in simulation when Sony and AMD mentioned them, so their last type and efficiency stay unknown.
The PS5 Professional already makes use of PlayStation Spectral Tremendous Decision, or PSSR, to reconstruct higher-resolution pictures via machine studying, so a extra superior model might assist PS6 produce richer graphics with out requiring prohibitively costly {hardware}.
Constant 4K gaming at 60fps can be extra helpful than one other push in direction of 8K, too. Higher lighting, physics, and body charges would all be extra noticeable than chasing a decision most televisions can’t show.
Storage capability additionally wants consideration. The unique PS5’s 825GB SSD offered round 667GB of usable area at launch, whereas particular person video games can occupy effectively over 100GB. The PS6 ought to (hopefully) supply considerably extra storage whereas retaining the PS5’s simple M.2 growth system. Given the present AI {hardware} calls for, provide points, and price will increase although, every thing stays up within the air.
Will the PS6 be backwards appropriate with PS5 and PS4 video games?
Sony hasn’t confirmed backwards compatibility, however PS5 help appears to be like extremely doubtless. Reuters reported that compatibility fashioned a part of Sony’s talks with potential chip suppliers, whereas remaining with AMD ought to cut back the technical disruption concerned. Sony additionally more and more treats PlayStation as a multi-generational ecosystem constructed round current libraries, saves, and subscriptions.
At minimal, then, the PS6 ought to (hopefully) play PS5 video games and carry digital purchases ahead. Ideally, it will retain the PS5’s intensive help for PS4 software program and enhance older video games via steadier body charges or greater resolutions.
As for bodily compatibility? That may rely on Sony providing a disc drive, which is another excuse why a modular choice can be preferable to a very digital console.
What’s going to the PS6 controller be like?
Once more, Sony hasn’t revealed a factor concerning the PS6 controller, however DualSense will most likely present its basis.
Haptic suggestions and adaptive triggers stay among the many PS5’s most distinctive options, so abandoning them would make little sense. The subsequent controller wants refinement greater than reinvention, if something. Issues like an extended battery life, extra sturdy analogue sticks, and a decrease danger of stick drift would all be welcome additions.
Current DualSense controllers ought to ideally work with native PS6 video games too, quite than being restricted to backwards-compatible software program. Constructed-in PlayStation Hyperlink would additionally let appropriate headsets and earbuds join with out occupying a USB port with an adaptor. However we’ll simply have to attend and see.
Is Sony making a brand new PlayStation handheld console?
Bloomberg has beforehand reported that Sony was within the early levels of creating a conveyable console designed to play PS5 video games natively. If true, it will make it basically totally different from PlayStation Portal, which streams video games quite than working them by itself {hardware}. Sony has since added full cloud streaming to Portal, permitting PlayStation Plus Premium members to stream hundreds of supported PS5 video games with out connecting to their very own console.
A local handheld might run PlayStation video games at decrease resolutions, giving Sony a solution to the Nintendo Swap 2 and Steam Deck. The unique report cautioned that the system was years away and will nonetheless be cancelled, so claims about its specs, value, or launch alongside the PS6 stay unconfirmed.
However I digress. After practically six years, the PS6 remains to be hidden, however not completely mysterious. AMD {hardware}, Venture Amethyst, and Sony’s investor feedback present that work on the following era is a minimum of underway. Watch this area for extra updates, as and once we get them.
