Sony may delay the release of its next generation PlayStation 6 console by several years due to a severe shortage of memory chips caused by booming artificial intelligence demand, according to a new report by Bloomberg.
The console, originally expected to launch as early as 2027, could now be pushed back until 2028 or even 2029. The delay stems from the rising cost and limited availability of RAM chips, which are essential components for gaming consoles and other consumer electronics.
The surge in AI development has dramatically reshaped the semiconductor market. Data centers powering large language models and AI systems are consuming massive quantities of high performance memory, leaving fewer chips available for products like gaming consoles, smartphones, and computers.
This shift has driven memory prices sharply higher. According to industry research, RAM chip prices have increased by as much as 600 percent over the past year, with further price increases expected through 2026. Memory manufacturers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have redirected much of their production capacity toward AI customers, who are willing to pay premium prices.
As a result, consumer electronics companies like Sony are facing difficult decisions. They must either absorb significantly higher component costs, raise product prices, or delay launches until supply stabilizes.
Analysts say the shortage is affecting the entire electronics industry. Nintendo is reportedly considering raising prices for its upcoming Switch 2 console, while Apple has warned that memory costs are expected to increase significantly across its product lineup.
The shortage could persist for several years. While chip manufacturers are investing heavily to expand production, new facilities take time to build and may not meaningfully increase supply until 2027 or later.
The situation mirrors the global semiconductor crisis during the COVID era, when supply chain disruptions and surging demand caused widespread delays across the automotive and electronics industries.
If the PS6 launch is pushed to 2029, it would mark one of the longest gaps between PlayStation generations. Sony released the PlayStation 5 in 2020, and the next console was widely expected to arrive within the typical seven year cycle.
The delay highlights how artificial intelligence is now reshaping global supply chains, with AI infrastructure increasingly taking priority over consumer electronics production.