PlayStation 6 launch price expected to be $1,000

Gamers may need to start saving if they want the next PlayStation. Analysts predict the PlayStation 6 (PS6) could cost around $1,000 at launch.

This comes after Sony recently raised prices on its current consoles. From April 2, 2026, the standard PS5 price will go from $550 to $650, the PS5 Digital Edition to $600, PlayStation Portal to $250, and the PS5 Pro to $900. With these increases, a $1,000 PS6 seems likely.

Experts say console gaming is becoming a luxury. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, believes a $999 PS6 is very possible and that Sony may start high to allow future discounts. NYU video games professor Joost van Dreunen agrees, saying $1,000 consoles are becoming the norm. This makes console gaming closer in cost to a gaming PC.

A cheaper option might still exist. Insider KeplerL2 leaked that the PS6’s production cost is around $750. So, a retail price of $699 could happen if Sony decides to subsidize it or take a small loss.

Microsoft is also moving toward expensive consoles. Its next-generation Xbox, called Project Helix, is rumored to cost between $1,000 and $1,500. Both Sony and Microsoft are making next-gen consoles almost as expensive as a basic gaming PC.

Prices are rising because of a global RAM shortage. AI data centers are buying most of the available RAM, leaving little for consumer products. Rising component costs and US tariffs also make manufacturing more expensive. These issues have reportedly delayed the PS6 launch to around 2028 or 2029. Rumors say the PS6 may have a detachable disk drive and a dedicated handheld device.

For current gamers, this high price may be a silver lining. Developers will likely keep supporting the PS5 for longer, releasing cross-generation games. This means keeping or buying a PS5 today could still give players many years of gaming without needing the costly upgrade immediately.