Generative AI isn’t just dominating headlines; it is now threatening the release timeline of the next console generation. A new report suggests the PS6 and the next Xbox might miss their targeted launch windows, and the culprit is a massive spike in component costs.
If you thought the PS5 Pro price tag was steep, the industry is bracing for an even tougher economic landscape.
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How AI Costs Impact PS6 Hardware
According to a report by Tom Henderson at Insider Gaming, the tech industry faces a severe shortage of RAM. Artificial Intelligence technology requires massive amounts of memory to function, and this explosive demand has driven RAM prices up by several hundred percent in just a few months.
This creates a supply bottleneck. With tech giants scrambling for every available stick of RAM for AI data centers, console manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft find themselves at the back of the line—or facing astronomical costs to compete.
RAM Price Increases Could See Next-Generation Console Releases Delayed https://t.co/7eC0DSyfhX
— Insider Gaming (@InsiderGamingIG) December 29, 2025
PS6 and Next Xbox: Delay or Price Hike?
The report indicates that the intended 2027-2028 release window for the PS6 and the next Xbox is now under serious debate. Manufacturers face a brutal choice: release a console at an “extortionate” price point or delay the launch until RAM manufacturers can build enough infrastructure to lower costs.
The bad news doesn’t stop at the next generation. Henderson sources claim that the current generation isn’t safe either. We could see further price increases for the PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2026 as production costs climb. Subsidizing hardware—a standard industry practice—might no longer be sustainable if component prices remain this volatile.
In Conclusion: Is the Next Console Gen Worth the Wait?
The prospect of a delay is disappointing, but a $1,000+ base console would be worse. If pushing the PS6 back by a year means avoiding a catastrophic price point, most gamers would likely prefer the wait. However, the potential for current-gen price hikes is a bitter pill to swallow for those who haven’t upgraded yet.
If the hardware market is becoming volatile, maximizing your software budget is the only smart move left.
Do you think a delay is better than a super-expensive console launch, or would you pay a premium to get next-gen hardware sooner?
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