Sony is weighing a significant delay for the PlayStation 6, potentially pushing the console’s launch to 2028 or even 2029, according to Bloomberg. The delay would stem from an unprecedented global memory chip shortage driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, forcing major gaming companies to rethink their hardware strategies.
The AI-driven chip crisis has left the three major memory manufacturers — Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron — prioritizing high-margin AI chips over consumer electronics. Micron’s business chief Sumit Sadana told CNBC in January that the company is completely sold out for 2026, with industry forecasts indicating data centers will consume 70 percent of global memory chip production this year.
If the PS6 does not arrive until 2029, it would mark nearly a decade since the PS5’s November 2020 debut — the longest gap between PlayStation generations in the company’s history. Bloomberg’s sources describe the potential postponement as a major upset to a carefully orchestrated strategy to sustain user engagement between hardware generations.
Capital expenditures on AI infrastructure by tech giants like Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft are projected to reach $650 billion in 2026, squeezing memory supply for gaming consoles. The shortage has already prompted warnings from executives at Apple and Tesla about its impact on profits.
Nintendo is also feeling the pressure. The company launched the Switch 2 at $449 in June 2025 but is now contemplating raising the price in 2026 as RAM costs have increased 41 percent compared to initial projections. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged the challenge earlier this month, stating that while there is no immediate impact on earnings, “the volatile memory market is something we must monitor closely.”
Analyst firm Niko Partners predicts Nintendo may discontinue the $449 standalone option and offer only a $499 or higher bundle SKU. Neither Sony nor Nintendo responded to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.
The chip shortage represents a broader shift in semiconductor priorities, with AI workloads commanding premium pricing and supply allocation. For gaming companies, this means longer console cycles and potential price increases for players, reshaping expectations for the next generation of hardware.
