The price of RAM is going up, which could push the PS6 back to 2029. The PS5 has sold more than 90 million units, and PlayStation Plus is changing to PS5-only games in 2026.
Changes that could affect hardware launches and subscription services may be coming to the PlayStation ecosystem. Because of the higher demand for AI technology, RAM prices are going up. This has led to talks at the highest levels of Sony and the console business as a whole. In the last few months, RAM costs have gone up a lot, with some modules going up by several hundred percent.
Because of this, there has been a lot of discussion about whether the PlayStation 6 will be released in the originally planned timeframe of 2027–2028 or whether it will be delayed, possibly until 2029, based on how quickly manufacturers can make more RAM. Memory chips are still in short supply, which is causing problems for game makers. If a new wave of hardware is released under these conditions, it might lead to higher prices that make people pay more for the latest tech.
Traditionally, console launches have been financially assisted to make the devices cheaper, but with the cost of parts going up, the next-generation systems might have to start at higher prices than any PlayStation before. People who know a lot about the industry say that delaying the launch might help manufacturers get more RAM at lower prices.
This would make sure that the PlayStation 6 has competitive speed without putting too much of a financial burden on early adopters.
The PlayStation 5 is still doing well in the market, even though the PS6 is still being talked about and planned. The PlayStation 5 has sold over 90 million units around the world, according to recent reports. This milestone was made possible by a very successful Black Friday and Christmas shopping season.
This number is close to the PS4’s five-year total of 91.6 million units, which shows that the current generation is doing very well, even with inflation and higher prices at the store. Successful sales tactics, like bundles and discount deals, have made the console even more popular. These strategies have made the console easier for many different types of players to get during the holiday season.
The PS5’s sales success is a sign of how much people want the system and how great Sony’s exclusive games are, say analysts.
Even though people are excited about the next generation, buyers are still putting money into the PS5, which shows that they think it will be worth more in the future. With almost 90 million units sold, the system remains one of the best-selling ever, and demand is likely to stay high as exclusive games and popular series keep players interested.
This milestone makes Sony’s plan to keep a strong and easy-to-use current-generation system while getting ready for the next one even clearer. Along with updates to the gear, PlayStation Plus is going through a big change in 2026. Sources say that Sony will end the addition of PS4-only games to its membership service and focus it only on PlayStation 5 titles instead.
As of January 2026, PS5 games will be given priority for the monthly games and catalog benefits, but games that can be played on both PS4 and PS5 will still be qualified. This change makes use of the new console’s hardware and is in line with the rising popularity of the PS5 and the wish to provide a next-generation gaming experience.
December 2025 was a big month for PlayStation Plus. Lego Horizons, Killing Floor 3, and The Outlast Trials were some of the games that were added. This shows how the platform’s approach to content is changing. By focusing on PS5 titles, the subscription service stays current and appealing to players who have upgraded their consoles. People in the industry say that this change might also make developers focus on PS5 optimization and features in their releases. This could make the general quality of games on the platform go up.
This change is similar to earlier ones, like how PlayStation Plus stopped having games only for the PS3 in 2019.
But Sony is ending support for the PS4 more quickly, which shows that they want to move the entire environment to the next generation as soon as possible. By focusing on PS5 games, Sony wants to make its service simpler and offer the newest and most immersive gaming experiences to users. They will keep adding games that work on both platforms and PS4s, but they won’t add any more PS4-only games to the service.
The PlayStation 6’s possible delay, the PS5’s good sales, and the changes to PlayStation Plus all show how Sony is currently balancing many different factors in its strategy. Some fans may get upset if the next-generation system is delayed, but it could mean a more finished and well-priced device at launch.
At the same time, the PS5 is still selling and engaging people, which keeps the current version going. At the same time, PlayStation Plus is changing to meet the needs of next-generation players by providing a collection of PS5 games that make the most of what the console’s hardware can do. People who follow the tech industry say that RAM supply is still very important for the timing of the PlayStation 6.
With AI making the need for high-capacity memory greater, the cost and supply of RAM may continue to affect choices about mass production.
As talks continue, sources stress that there hasn’t been an official launch date set yet, and things could keep changing through 2026 and after. If there are delays, they will probably be because the goal is to make a more powerful and cheaper system, not just because of problems with technology.
For buyers, this means the PS5 is still a good buy in the near future, especially with 90 million units sold and a lot of games available. At the same time, PlayStation Plus users will enjoy the benefits of a focus on the next generation by getting access to new PS5 content as Sony works on making its subscription service better. The PS5 is very popular right now and is still getting new games, which may make gamers who haven’t upgraded yet want to buy the console before the next version comes out.
As Sony works through these tough choices, the game community is stuck waiting and hoping.
If there is a delay for the PS6, it may make the PS5 last longer. At the same time, the development of the subscription service shows that gaming is becoming more modern. The next year will be very important in figuring out how these things affect hardware sales and player involvement. This will set up the PlayStation brand for the late 2020s.
Gamers now have a clear question: how will they react to Sony’s plan in 2026, with the PlayStation 6 possibly delayed, record PS5 sales, and PlayStation Plus becoming PS5-only? These changes might excite fans or test their patience, but there’s no doubt that in the next few months, Sony will make decisions that will affect the future of computer gaming for a long time.
