Sony and Microsoft could delay their next-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles to 2028—one year later than initially expected. According to Forbes, the setback is primarily due to the ongoing RAM shortage, which has caused manufacturing costs to skyrocket. Console makers hope that giving RAM manufacturers time to build more infrastructure will help supply catch up with demand, bringing prices down before they try to launch new hardware.
We previously reported that RAM shortages could lead to another Xbox price hike as AI companies buy up massive amounts of memory for data centers. Microsoft has already raised its Xbox Series X pricing multiple times, and the company now sells a 2TB model for an eye-popping $800.
The situation mirrors issues encountered with the PS5 Pro’s $700 price tag, which analysts said reflected a “lack of competition” in 2024. Meanwhile, Nintendo launched its Switch 2 at $450—a 50% increase over the original’s $300 price from 2017. If this trend continues, the next PlayStation and Xbox could launch at $800 to $1,000, which doesn’t help that Microsoft is fully prepared to launch its newest Xbox at a much higher price than the PlayStation 6.
Without price relief from RAM manufacturers, companies may have to choose between selling hardware at a hefty loss or alienating gamers.