Some predict that the worsening RAM shortage will cause the PlayStation 6's price to more than double that of the current model.

With the demand for AI leading to a severe shortage of RAM, there are concerns that the price of Sony's next-generation game console, the PlayStation 6 (PS6), may approach $1,000 (approximately 163,000 yen), significantly higher than its predecessor.

PlayStation 6 bill of materials nears $1,000 as RAM shortages worsen | TechSpot
https://www.techspot.com/news/112937-playstation-6-bill-materials-nears-1000-ram-shortages.html

Prominent leaker KeplerL2 claimed that 'PS6 manufacturing costs have risen significantly in recent months,' and that a lack of memory could push the price closer to $1,000.

The previous generation console, the PlayStation 5 (PS5), was priced at 39,980 yen (excluding tax) for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition and 49,980 yen (excluding tax) for the PlayStation 5 (disc version). As of the time of writing, the former has risen to 89,980 yen (including tax), and the latter to 97,980 yen (including tax).

PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal Remote Player prices increase worldwide; PS5 will also cost around 100,000 yen from April 2nd, sparking outrage among gamers - GIGAZINE

KeplerL2 estimated the cost of materials (BOM) for the PS6 to be around $760 (approximately 124,000 yen) as of March 2026, and believed that even if the console was released at $699 (approximately 114,000 yen), the costs could be recovered if each user sold 2 to 3 games. However, as of June, the BOM has risen by another $200 (approximately 33,000 yen), so he now predicts that the selling price will approach $1,000.

Due to a lack of RAM, prices for game consoles, PCs, and smartphones have all been raised.

Memory prices have soared to the point where memory accounts for 35% of the cost of a PC - GIGAZINE

Furthermore, statements made by Sony to investors suggest that the company has no intention of absorbing the increased costs itself. In response to several questions, President and CEO Hideaki Nishino emphasized that the company prioritizes profitability over expanding the PlayStation user base.

The company aims to monetize existing users through subscriptions and DLC, rather than simply increasing monthly active user numbers at all costs. Furthermore, Nishino stated that PlayStation aims to provide a 'seamless' experience that extends beyond the living room, which has brought renewed attention to rumors about the portable gaming console.

Several leakers, including KeplerL2, previously described a SoC codenamed 'Canis.' This is believed to be a smaller version of the PS6 processor, intended for handheld gaming consoles. The chip is said to feature four 2.2GHz Zen 6C CPU cores, 12-20 RDNA 5 GPU compute units, 128-bit bus-connected LPDDR5X-7500 memory, and a 15W TDP, potentially allowing it to outperform Microsoft's Xbox Series S despite being a handheld device.

Based on these specifications, experts believe that Canis will be able to run all PS4 titles as is, and that PS5 and PS6 titles will also be able to run if developers provide patches. Experts speculate that 'Sony is hoping to win back users who have migrated from PlayStation to PC with this multi-platform strategy.'