The global gaming landscape has been jolted this week by reports that Sony Group Corp. is weighing a significant delay for the PlayStation 6 (PS6). While previous industry roadmaps pointed toward a 2027 debut, a new Bloomberg report suggests the console may not arrive until 2028 or even 2029.
This potential shift is being attributed to a “memory chip crisis” fueled by the unprecedented demand for AI hardware. As data centres consume the global supply of high-performance RAM, Sony is reportedly facing soaring production costs and scarcity that could make a 2027 launch financially unviable.
At a Glance: The PS6 Outlook
- Expected Release: 2028 – 2029 (Delayed from 2027)
- Estimated Price: $699 – $799 CAD (Projected)
- Key Specs: 30GB GDDR7 RAM, Semi-custom AMD Orion Chip
- Primary Hurdle: Global memory shortage and AI-driven chip demand
Hardware Leaks: Power vs. Efficiency
Despite the timeline uncertainty, technical specifications for the PS6 have begun to solidify through supply chain leaks. Reliable insiders, including KeplerL2, indicate that Sony has finalized the hardware design, opting for a semi-custom AMD Orion chip. The console is rumoured to target 34–40 teraflops of raw power, a massive leap from the original PS5’s 10.28 teraflops.
Key hardware highlights include:
- 30GB GDDR7 RAM: A substantial upgrade from the 16GB found in the PS5, designed to handle complex AI-driven environments and 8K textures.
- AMD RDNA 5 Architecture: While the PS6 will utilize RDNA 5, reports suggest it may not include the full feature set, as Sony prioritizes custom “Radiance Cores” for specialized ray tracing and AI upscaling.
- Storage Innovation: A recent Sony patent suggests a new method for downsizing game installs, potentially mitigating the high cost of the next-generation SSDs required for the console.
The “PlayStation 6 Portable” Rumours
In a surprising twist, reports from TechPowerUp suggest Sony is concurrently developing a PlayStation 6 Portable. This handheld variant is rumoured to feature a “<40 CU" (Compute Unit) chipset. It remains unclear if this will be a standalone device or a high-performance companion to the home console, similar to a more powerful evolution of the PlayStation Portal.
Market Impact in Canada
For Canadian gamers, the delay and the “RAMmageddon” crisis suggest a higher entry price. With the PS5 Pro already positioned as a premium tier, analysts expect the PS6 to launch at a significant markup to cover rising component costs. If the 2029 window holds, the PS5 lifecycle would extend to nine years, making it the longest-running PlayStation generation since the original console.
As of 16 February 2026, Sony has not officially commented on the Bloomberg report, though the company’s recent State of Play focused heavily on extending the PS5’s software library, lending credence to the theory that the next generation is further away than initially hoped.