The PlayStation 5 has been out since 2020, meaning it’s been a fairly long while since Sony gamers have had anything truly new to try. There have been cosmetic and slightly varied iterations since then, but what people are really waiting for is the PlayStation 6.
It’s worth noting that actual details are low on the ground for the PS6, but there are some speculated ideas and estimated facts that can be shared for now. It could all change when we get a full reveal from Sony but, for now, here’s what we know about the unconfirmed console.
When is the PS6 coming out?
Sony has been reliable in releasing a new console every few years. While there hasn’t been direct confirmation that the PlayStation 6 is coming, it would be a massive surprise for Sony to simply walk away from its major console – and the rumor mill has been churning out indications that there is indeed a PlayStation 6 on the way.
The main question is when.
Sony has a pretty regular release schedule for releasing new PlayStation iterations ever since the release of the PlayStation 3. Releases tend to come later on in the year at Sony so, whatever year the PS6 shows its face, it will likely be the last few months of the calendar. A Sony executive confirmed that the company prefers to stick to tried-and-tested schedules while speaking to Lifewire. So far, that’s something to go on at least.
Clues about the potential release timeline for Sony’s PlayStation 6 console surfaced in an official Microsoft court document related to the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The document states, “By the time SIE [Sony Interactive Entertainment] launched the next generation of its PlayStation console (which is likely to occur around [redacted]), it would have lost access to Call of Duty.”
While the specific date is redacted, sharp observers have linked this statement to Microsoft’s offer to keep Activision Blizzard games available on PlayStation platforms until 2027. This connection suggests that, at the earliest, Microsoft did not anticipate a new PlayStation console before 2027.
Consequently, 2027 and 2028 emerge as a plausible target year when Sony might unveil the PS6, or at least the earliest timeframe Microsoft had considered for the next PlayStation’s debut.
Realistically, we’ll likely see the release of the PlayStation 5 Pro a year or so before the PS6.
How much will the PlayStation 6 cost?
Once again, we can only really look back at Sony’s history to get an idea of how much the PlayStation 6 could cost.
The PS5 launched at $399 in 2020, while its Slim version came in at an eye-watering $499.99 in 2023. With Sony increasing the price by $100 for an updated version with three years between the releases, another three years until the predicted release of the PS6 in 2026 could see another $100 price hike,
It’s entirely possible that the PlayStation 6 could cost as much as $600 for its base version, especially considering that we don’t yet know what new features could be included in the console.
PS6 specs: How much power could the PlayStation 6 have?
The PlayStation 5 is already a pretty powerful system, capable of knocking out a 4k resolution like it’s nothing. With the PS5 Pro still to come as somewhat of a bigger brother, this will naturally have even more power, so by the time the PS6 arrives, the internals may be off the charts.
Looking intially at the all-important Teraflops, since the PS5 came in at just over 10, and the Xbox Series X beating that with 12, Sony will be out for blood next time around. Since the PS5’s was over two times the number of the PS4 Pro, it’s likely we could see a jump of that ilk again meaning a potential of reaching a whopping 20 Teraflops. This will give it insane computing power and will be a struggle for its ‘green’ counterparts to keep up with.
Moving to the output resolution, it’s pretty safe to say that it will be reaching the 8k mark comfortably. Whether it will hit the lofty heights of 120Hz at this resolution is completely up in the air but since we’re looking at 2027 at the very least for the release date, 60Hz should be the minimum.
Despite Sony hitting home about the power of the SSD in the PS5, it is still just an SSD with some added tech on top. So, with the PS6, we expect this to go one step further both in terms of read/write speeds and how it works in tandem with the other internals.
Moreover, with games only getting larger, the size has to be massive. While both Sony and Microsoft are a little stingy on internal storage, they’re really going to have to expand this. It’s quite likely that the SSD may be around the 2TB mark, potentially even more if devs don’t get a handle on the size of assets and the inevitable update after update one game launch.
What features could the PS6 have?
Speaking of new features, there are some rumored details about what to expect, all of which are as yet unconfirmed. There are always new specs put in and out of development and the PS6 could easily change a lot from what Sony has right now to what we see upon its release.
Built-in wireless charging
To start off, although all modern PlayStations naturally have wireless connections via Bluetooth and WiFi, it’s believed that the PS6 could come with its own built-in wireless charging. This would allow it to charge accessories like your phone, VR headsets, headphones, controllers, and so on.
VR integration
It’s no secret that VR is increasingly becoming the future of gaming, so some sort of VR integration is a must for the PlayStation at some point – so why not for the PS6. At the moment, gamers rely on external headsets and consoles but this could be a prime opportunity for Sony to combine motion controllers and headsets into the console box. If so, this could result in an even bigger price hike than we speculated about above.
New and improved user interface (UI)
In terms of looks, we’d also expect a UI and console update. Considering, the PlayStation 6 will need to endure for at least half a decade (until we get the PS7), we should get a new and improved UI that can stand the test of time, as well as the expected PlayStation Store update that tends to happen with the release of a new console.
Lightweight console
Elsewhere in aesthetics, we’ve already seen Sony experiment with slimming down the PS5 with its Slim version, with rumors of beefing up again for the PlayStation 5 Pro. Trends in hardware highlight that many consumers want a more lightweight alternative. After all, a large case isn’t needed for large amounts of storage or power anymore, so it’s likely that Sony will follow the trending preference if it can.
Digital only version
There is also some speculation that Sony could continue the digital-only journey that began with the PS5 Slim Digital, a version of the console that doesn’t have disc compatibility. That means you no longer need to own physical copies of a game but will have all your games stored virtually.
This is a cause for both excitement and concern, depending on where you stand on the physical media debate. What is worth noting is that relying on digital libraries only works when providers maintain those games.
If you want to rely on a back library of old games from previous consoles, companies like Sony may eventually delete or remove compatibility. After all, the company doesn’t have a loving relationship with physical media. If you have the actual disc, you can still access the content on other consoles – but no joy if it’s digital only.
Game series hubs
Tom’s Guide has also speculated that we could see new game series hubs, a more and more common call from fans. Playing a series in order is an unnecessary headache. Many gamers want Sony to make it easier for players to buy a full series of games from the same franchise – or at least provide a way to see similar games in a cohesive list, in the era of remakes that we’re living in at the moment.
AI integration
In a world increasingly driven by AI, there are rumors that we could see greater AI integration. That means the possibility of AI-enhanced NPCs and gaming scripts that can adapt to your choices in ways that gaming companies have only just started experimenting with. The capabilities of what consoles can support will illuminate what games can include moving forward.
How much will the P56 cost?
Okay, now we’re deep into speculation territory. Still, going by previous console launches, inflation and the technology to be integrated we would estimate the PS6 to come with a price tag between $500 and $600.
Featured image: Ideogram
