The PlayStation 5 is still relatively new, but rumors about its successor, the PlayStation 6 (PS6), are already circulating. While Sony hasn’t officially confirmed anything, industry whispers and analyst predictions offer a glimpse into what the future of PlayStation might hold. Let’s delve into the speculation surrounding the PS6’s release date, potential price, expected specs, and rumored features.
PS6 Release Date Speculation
A PS5 with controllers.
A key clue regarding the PS6’s release date emerged from a Microsoft court document related to the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The document suggested a new PlayStation console would likely launch around a redacted date, believed to be 2027, based on a deal to keep Activision Blizzard games on PlayStation platforms until then. This timeline aligns with previous PlayStation console generations, which typically saw a new release every seven years. The PS5 launched in 2020, so a 2027 release for the PS6 would maintain this pattern. While not confirmed, a late 2027 launch or later seems plausible.
PS6 Price Predictions
Abby stands in the rain in The Last of Us Part 2.
Predicting the PS6’s price is challenging without concrete details on specifications or launch date. However, the $700 price tag of the PS5 Pro might offer some insight. Some analysts view this as a test of consumer price tolerance, potentially paving the way for a higher PS6 launch price. Despite this, some industry experts predict a $600 launch price for the PS6 and the next-generation Xbox.
Expected PS6 Specs
Aerith stares at floating lanterns in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Information about the PS6’s technical specifications remains limited. However, reports suggest Sony will continue its partnership with AMD for the PS6’s chipset, mirroring the PS5 and PS5 Pro. This would facilitate backward compatibility and cross-generational game development. The next generation of AMD chips is expected in 2025, making them a potential candidate for the PS6. Reuters reported that Intel lost a bid to design the PS6 chipset to AMD back in 2022. A new SSD, a key feature of the PS5, is also anticipated, potentially offering even faster loading times. Storage capacity is expected to be at least 2TB, especially if a digital-only console version is released. An intriguing rumor suggests Sony is developing two distinct system-on-a-chip (SoCs) for the PS6, possibly indicating two different console versions, perhaps a high-end and a lower-end model, or even a handheld console alongside the PS6.
Rumored PS6 Features
One exciting rumor involves a feature called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), potentially enabling games to run at 4K resolution and 120 frames per second (fps) or 8K resolution at 60 fps. This technology, already present in the PS5 Pro, could be further enhanced for the PS6. This suggests a significant leap in graphical performance and visual fidelity.
