Amid rising console prices and cratering sales, there’s greater concern than ever about next-generation console prices. After all, Xbox admitted that memory and storage costs could double next year, which could very well affect Project Helix. However, according to reliable leaker Kepler_L2, it seems this has already happened with the PS6.
In a reply on NeoGAF, they noted that the “bill of materials went up by around $200” since their last report. Back in March, it was allegedly about $760, which meant that Sony could still hit about $699 with a “reasonable subsidy.” That’s now seemingly impossible, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the console ended up costing $999.
While logic would dictate it should be delayed beyond the alleged Fall/Holiday 2027 release window, Kepler_L2 feels differently. “If prices keep going up, then delaying is actually worse than releasing it ASAP. If prices are stable, then there’s no point in delaying it.
“If prices go down in 2028 or 2029, they can lower the price like they did with the PS3; the only downside is initial sales in 2027/2028 would be lower than normal.” They note that the console’s specifications have been “locked in for a long time” and that a “delay will change nothing.”
If anything, they admit that the best-case scenario would probably be the PS6 Digital Edition costing $999. While Sony could look into subsidies if prices spiral too far out of control, it may only do so if it’s confident in returns down the line.
Time will tell, because while the company touched on next-gen consoles last May, confirming an increase in platform investments, it added that launch timing and prices had yet to be decided. Stay tuned for further updates because the current-gen console war is as much anyone’s ballgame as next-gen’s.
