Summary
Gamers are rarely satisfied with available technology and constantly look toward the future. While debates about which currentgaming consoleis superior continue, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are already developing new systems. Developers are pushing the PS5 past its limits, and the upcomingPS5 Pro upgrademay only be a short-term solution. The arrival of the PS6 seems inevitable, but Sony has managed to minimize leaks about its capabilities. Regardless, that hasn’t stopped analysts and casual gamers from speculating about the new console.
Thanks to unlikely sources, buyers have some clues about the PS6 release date and what the system might offer. Pricing, design, and launch titles are other factors that will impact any new console’s success. Game Rant has taken a long look into what we know about the PS6 and the uncertainties that surround it.
When Will the PS6 Come Out?
While gamers don’t have a confirmed PS6 release date, several bits of information shed some insight on the subject. Earlier this year, Sony Vice-President Naomi Matsuoka indicated that the company hadalready begun to focus on a PS5 successor. Given the history of PlayStation consoles, it makes sense that Sony would unveil the PS6 sooner than some might expect.
Sony has consistently released its flagship consoles about six to seven years apart. This trend extends as far back as the PS2, which found its way onto store shelves six years after the 1994 PS1 debut in Japan. More recently, faced with a globalconsole shortage, gamers lined up to score the PS5 in Fall 2020, seven years after the PS4 came out. That timing could see the PS6 become available as soon as2026, though 2027 or 2028 seems more plausible.
The other significant clue to the PS6 release date originated from Microsoft’s legal battle to acquire Activision/Blizzard. During 2023 court proceedings, Microsoft argued that if the acquisition were allowed, it wouldn’t impact their 10-yeardeal with Sony to jointly releaseCall of Dutytitles. Expanding on these remarks, Microsoft stated that in 2028, a next-gen Sony console could still offer the incredibly popular shooter. How Microsoft would discover a 2028 PS6 release date is an open question, but it’s possible this was learned during private conversations with their rival.
As far as the timing of a potential release, Sony has consistentlymade new consoles available in the fall, in time for the holiday shopping rush.
PS6 Pricing Speculation
Some exceptions exist, but newer Sony consoles have generally launched for modestly higher prices than previous generations. On the other hand, the PS3 shocked some gamers when it was released in 2006 with anasking price of $500-600, depending on storage space. With some PS4 and PS5 models selling for less than the PS3, gamers are unlikely to be in for many surprises with PS6 pricing.
It’s no secret that neither Sony nor Microsoft makes much money on sales of the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. Reportedly, Sony may only be breaking even selling its console after initially taking losses. Inflation and expensive components would undoubtedly make it difficult for the manufacturer to profit from a reasonably priced PS6. Considering those factors, an initial asking price of $600 or more for a new console seems likely.
Once again, Sony would have tolean on digital purchases, licensing fees for games, and subscription services to avoid financial disaster.
PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition
The PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition offers the same amazing graphics and sound as the original PS5 console in a more compact design. Small enough to fit into more entertainment centers, this console makes no compromises with stellar 4K gaming performance, Ray Tracing, and 120 Hz refresh rates. This version of the PS5 Slim without a disc drive includes a generous 1TB of storage, expandable up to 4 TB with separately purchased SSDs.
Gamers hoping for PS6 pricing identical to the PS5 are probably too optimistic. Despite the console being on the market for four years, recent revisions have gotten more expensive, not less. The PS5 Slim with disc drive sells for the same price as the original PS5, but thePS5 Slim Digital costs $50 morethan its predecessor’s launch price. Along the same lines, Microsoft plans to release the first Xbox Series X Digital later this year, but the current console can be purchased for the same price when commonly discounted.
Of course, economic conditions over the next several years and the power of the PS6 console will also impact its pricing.
How Badly Do We Need a PS6?
The vast majority of PS5 games run smoothly on the console. Even so, some developers struggle to meet performance expectations with newer titles. Intensive games pose challenges even for high-end gaming PCs, but it’s still noteworthy thatCities: Skylines 2console versionshave been delayed over performance concerns. The city builder renders a metropolis with extreme detail and will likely require significant work to run on the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 without constant stutters.
Sony is expected to release a PS5 Pro later this year to alleviate concerns over an aging console. The upgraded system will likely boast increased processing power and possibly share some features of upcoming AMD RDNA 4 graphics cards. Ray-tracing on the PS5 would benefit most from the upgrade, encouraging more games to support these advanced lighting effects.
Unfortunately, there are indications that theleaked PS5 Pro specsmight not be enough to realize the full potential of newer games. Causing some controversy, it appears the upgraded consolecouldn’t runGTA 6at more than 30 frames per second. LikeCities: Skylines 2, trailers have shown a world bustling with highly detailed objects and NPCs. Otherwise, the Fall 2025 release of the open-world crime game could have tempted some gamers to purchase a PS5.
One of the key features of the PS5 Pro is expected to be what Sony calls"Spectral Super Resolution.“As with NVIDIA’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR, this added capability could intelligently upscale the resolution of games without overtaxing the console. While it’s more likely to lead to smoother 4K gameplay, the PS5 Pro could give gamers a glimpse into the future of 8K gaming.
Despite some promising advantages, it’s important to remember the PS5 Pro will be an upgrade rather than a new console. Existing games may benefit from optimization, but without new hardware, gamers won’t see a major leap in performance.
What Specs Should the PS6 Have?
Graphics and Sound
What specs the PS6 will boast is the biggest mystery about the next-generation Sony console. That leaves analysts and gamers to form theories about what to anticipate, not based on facts. Still, the common belief is that any 2027 or 2028 at-home consoleshould be capable of no-compromise 4K gaming at 120 Hz. The PS5 can already play titles likeGran Turismo 7at these settings, but not without some loss in graphical fidelity.
8Ksmart TVsand monitors are readily available, even without much content to take advantage of this resolution. By the time the PS6 debuts,8K gaming may become more commonplace,at least at 60 fps. However, with the relatively slow adoption of 4K PC and console gaming, buyers should temper their expectations. TheNVIDIA RTX 4090can run some less demanding titles decently at 8K, but its astronomical price is poised to remain stubbornly high for years to come. Even so, the PS5 makes the most out of its hardware to facilitate 4K gaming. With support for upscaling technologies like Spectral Super Resolution, the PS6 may be a far more affordable way to experience cutting-edge visuals.
The lack of Dolby Vision on the PS5 is also a point of contention, especially among home theater enthusiasts who prefer it over HDR10. High-resolution graphics are appealing, but so is taking advantage of the wide color palettes modern displays support. Besides visuals, the PS6 needs to support spatial audio technologies like Dolby Atmos without needing future updates.
Peripherals and Storage
While Sony’s standardPS5 controllerintroduced innovations like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, the DualSense has some shortcomings. Its battery life is less than stellar, and gamers often have issues recharging it away from the PS5 console. Another problem is stick drift, which affects input accuracy but could be solved by implementingHall Effectanalog sticks. Even worse, the much pricier DualSense Edge also lacks this technology, even though many budget controllers have embraced it.
PlayStation VR2
The successor to the PS VR, the PlayStation VR2 is Sony’s virtual reality headset. Debuting in February 2023, the hardware is designed as a companion piece for the PlayStation 5 and requires the PS VR2 Sense controller.
The PS6 should build on its current advantages over the Xbox Series X|S. VR has sometimes struggled to achieve mainstream acceptance on the PS5, prompting Sony to develop aPSVR 2 PC adapter. For future PS6 gamers, a newer VR headset that’s completely wireless would make moving around in virtual environments more immersive. An upgraded console could helpwin over skeptics of the technologyby beaming more realistic visuals to headsets.
With digital gaming becoming more commonplace, storage is also a major concern. Some gamers prefer the PS5 because it’s possible to install a wide range ofSSDscompared to the limited upgrade paths of the Xbox Series X|S. Along with more internal storage, Sony would be wise to continue supporting these third-party SSDs. At the same time, not every gamer is comfortable opening their consoles, so an accessible storage slot like the Xbox Series X|S would be ideal.
Design
The design of the PS5 is subjective, but most gamers agree it’s not very friendly to compact setups. The PS5 Slim made the console a bit less bulky but lacked a stand to position the system vertically. It’s difficult to craft a powerful console while keeping its size reasonable. Even so, Sony should strive to make the PS6’s shape adaptable to more living rooms and gaming rooms.
Sony can keep the PS6’s size reasonable using modular parts like an optical drive. Realizing how common digital gaming has become, the PS5 Slim Digital doesn’t have a way to play physical discs by default. It may be inevitable that this form of media will soon become obsolete, but the PS6 could satisfy everyone with a reasonably priced add-on disc drive.
Remote Play
Sony may not have a cloud gaming service as popular as Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming, but the company is invested in PS Remote Play. The PlayStation Portal is aportable gaming consolethat allows players to connect to the PS5 and play their favorite titles while on the road. Gamers are generally satisfied with the way Portal performs. Still, the PS6 will need to meet the challenge of streaming increasingly higher-resolution games to mobile devices. Support for the latest high-bandwidth ethernet ports and Wi-Fi standards for streaming games and downloading titles at home is essential.
Games
In the past year, Sony has been criticized for not offering enoughexclusive first-party titlesthat aren’t playable on other platforms. Ultimately, whether the PS6 is initially successful in three or four years will depend on its launch titles. In that regard, there is hope for a strong lineup, with rumors ofHorizonandSpider-Mantitles in development specifically for the new console.
Backward compatibility could also be a make-or-break feature for the PS6. Some gamers still cling to their PS4s, with a large library of titles that reduces the urge to purchase a new console. Even well into the PS5’s life cycle, some publishers continue to release versions of new games on the older system. Ideally, the PS6 will support the last two generations of PlayStation titles.
Should You Wait for the PS6?
Without official confirmation of the PS6 release date, pricing, or specs, savvy buyers will wait for more information. Realistically, buyers without a way to play recent titles will not wait until 2027 or 2028 for a gaming system. Complaints about selection aside, the PS5’s ability to play previous-generation games means gamers aren’t lacking content. PC gamers are always ready to welcome new players who are unsatisfied with modern gaming consoles. Althoughgaming PCscan become pricey to build, thePS6 is not likely to dramatically outperform componentsthat are available now.
Some of the key aspects of the PS6 the industry is focused on involve its graphical processing power. As important as how well the console handles 4K or 8K visuals, the console needs to offer fast and expandable storage options. A more minimalist design for smaller TV stands would also entice early PS6 adopters.
Game Rant will constantly monitor the latest PS6 developments and let readers know how the new console is shaping up.
FAQ
Q: Will the PS6 have a disc drive?
The rise of digital gaming has meant that gamers use physical media at historically low rates. Still, the PS6 would be wise to at least offer an optical disc add-on, as seen with the PS5 Slim Digital. A disc drive would also ensure that the PS6 could play any available 4K or 8K Blu-ray media.
Q: How much storage will the PS6 have?
The industry isn’t yet aware of many confirmed PS6 specs, but the console needs ample storage for digital downloads. While a 1 TB internal SSD drive has been floated as a possibility, future titles with cutting-edge graphics will quickly fill up drives. It’s essential that the PS6 continues to support a wide variety of internal and external expandable storage.
