It seems like we’re going to be taught extra a few next-generation PlayStation sooner quite than later.
In early 2024, Sony Senior Vice President Naomi Matsuoka informed Bloomberg the next: “Wanting forward, PS5 will enter the latter stage of its life cycle.” Whereas she didn’t outright say {that a} PlayStation 6 is within the works, we will assume that the corporate is already trying forward at its subsequent console.
Regardless of there solely being rumors to work with, it’s by no means too early to begin speculating in regards to the next-gen consoles. How will the PS6 examine to the PS5? Will any of the most effective video games on PS5 make their method to the PS6? And what about upcoming PS5 video games which can be going to launch quickly?
Nothing is about in stone, however let’s check out what the way forward for PlayStation could appear like.
PS6 launch date hypothesis
The most important clue as to when a PS6 may come out, or not less than could have been deliberate to at one level, factors to 2027. This data comes from an official Microsoft court docket doc as a part of the Activision Blizzard acquisition: “By the point SIE launched the following technology of its PlayStation console (which is more likely to happen round [redacted]), it will have misplaced entry to Name of Obligation.” The date is redacted right here, however sleuths have linked the dots between this and the deal Microsoft supplied Sony to maintain Activision Blizzard video games on PlayStation consoles till 2027. That may recommend that, on the earliest, Microsoft didn’t imagine a brand new PlayStation would come earlier than 2027.
If we take a look at previous generations, that timeframe falls in step with the life spans of previous generations. The PlayStation 4 had seven years earlier than the PS5 got here out, and the PlayStation 3 was additionally round for seven years earlier than its successor confirmed up. The PS5 launched in 2020, which means 2027 would as soon as once more go away us with a seven-year console cycle. We wouldn’t put cash on 2027 for positive, however something from late 2027 onward appears like a secure guess.
PS6 value
The worth of a PS6 is unattainable to even estimate with any diploma of certainty. Till we all know any agency particulars about what the specs inside it are, we will’t even begin to run tough numbers to determine what it prices. Nevertheless, based mostly on previous pricing and rumored specs, it will be exhausting to think about it costing lower than $700 at launch now that we all know the worth of the PS5 Professional. It may even inch nearer to the dreaded $800 mark.
PS6 specs
Actual specs for the PS6 are a bit scarce. Moore’s Legislation is Useless has said that it is aware of “with 100% certainty that Sony will proceed its partnership with AMD to energy the PS6 and PS5 Professional.” This might make sense as this is similar chipset used within the PS5, so sticking with it will make issues like backward compatibility and cross-generational video games a lot simpler. The following technology of AMD chips is deliberate to be launched in 2025, in order that could possibly be what the PS6 is constructed with.
In actual fact, Reuters reported in 2024 that Intel misplaced out on a bid to design the PS6 chipset again in 2022 to AMD. Ought to the PS6 use AMD chips as is being reported, this might make backward compatibility a lot simpler for the reason that PS5 and PS5 Professional each run on customized AMD chipsets.
We suspect a brand new SSD will probably be included as that was a significant push within the PS5 to just about minimize out loading occasions, however no phrase has been leaked on that.
By the point a PS6 comes out, we might additionally anticipate not less than 2TB of storage, particularly if the console finally ends up being digital-only.
PS6 options
Insider Gaming claims to have a doc concerning one very distinctive function that’s being labored on for the PS6 referred to as PlayStation Spectral Tremendous Decision (PSSR). This expertise reportedly will permit video games to run at both 4K at 120 frames per second (fps) or 8K at 60 fps, based on Insider Gaming. This expertise has been confirmed as being a part of the PS5 Professional, so it is sensible that an improved model would additionally run on the PS6.