AI-Driven Chip Crisis May Delay PlayStation 6 and Push Up Switch 2 Prices
The ongoing surge in artificial intelligence development is creating a ripple effect across the consumer electronics market, potentially delaying the next generation of gaming hardware. According to recent reports, Sony Group Corp. Is considering pushing the debut of the PlayStation 6 back to 2028 or even 2029. Such a move would represent a significant disruption to the company’s strategy for maintaining user engagement between console generations.
This potential delay is rooted in a critical shortage of memory and storage chips. As AI hyperscalers and companies like Google and Nvidia prioritize their requirements for AI chips, they have effectively become “the first ones in line for the components,” leading to a supply squeeze for consumer electronics. Major chip manufacturers, including SK hynix, Samsung, and Micron, have reportedly reduced their output for consumer memory to meet the massive demand from data centers.
The impact is not limited to Sony. Nintendo Co. Is reportedly contemplating a price increase for its Switch 2 in 2026, following a period of surplus demand in 2025. However, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has previously offered a more optimistic outlook, stating that the company is working with partners to secure stable memory supplies and noting that rising memory prices did not significantly impact hardware profitability in the third quarter.
This volatility in the component market is already affecting other gaming hardware. Valve has announced that Steam Deck availability has become intermittent due to the shortage. The financial pressure is manifesting in current-gen hardware; reports indicate that Sony has increased the price of the PlayStation 5 for a third time, with costs reaching at least 600 Euro.
As the industry grapples with these supply chain hurdles, speculation regarding the PlayStation 6’s specifications and pricing has intensified. There are ongoing discussions about whether the PS6 might launch without an optical drive or if Sony might omit other key features to manage costs. Some industry projections suggest that the next generation of consoles, including the PS6 and Xbox Helix, could potentially cost over 1,000 Euro.
The shift in chip production priority highlights the growing dominance of AI infrastructure over traditional consumer tech. As manufacturers pivot to support the AI economy, gaming companies are forced to either extend hardware lifecycles or pass the rising costs of components directly to the consumer.
