December 29, 2025
Next-Gen Console Delays? Why the RAM Shortage Could Push Back the PS6 and New Xbox
The next wave of PlayStation and Xbox consoles may not arrive as soon as gamers expect. A growing global RAM shortage—largely fueled by the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure—is beginning to ripple beyond PC gaming and into the console space. As memory prices climb and supply tightens, Sony and Microsoft may be forced to reconsider both timing and pricing for their next-generation hardware.
🧠 The RAM Crisis and How It Started
The current situation traces back to late 2025, when major memory manufacturers redirected large portions of their production toward AI-focused data center projects. As demand from the AI sector exploded, less RAM was left for consumer electronics.
Since then:
- Consumer RAM prices have surged, in some cases more than tripling.
- Additional manufacturers have shifted priorities away from gaming hardware.
- Supply constraints have shown little sign of easing.
While PC gamers felt the impact first, consoles are now facing the same upstream pressure.
🎮 Why Consoles Aren’t Immune
Although consoles rely on specialized memory configurations rather than standard PC RAM, they still depend on the same small group of global suppliers. That means any disruption in memory production affects everyone.
Reports suggest that:
- Sony and Microsoft are evaluating whether to delay next-gen consoles to avoid inflated production costs.
- Both platforms are rumored to be targeting a 2027 release window.
- If RAM prices remain high through 2026 and beyond, manufacturing timelines could be at risk.
Delaying a launch may be preferable to releasing a console at a significantly higher price point.
💸 Rising Costs vs. Falling Hardware Sales
Traditionally, console makers have absorbed hardware losses and relied on game sales to make up the difference. However, that strategy may be harder to justify this time around.
Recent industry trends show:
- Video game hardware sales hit a decades-long low in late 2025.
- Consumer spending has slowed amid broader price increases across gaming.
- Another major price hike could further discourage buyers.
In this climate, pushing out a new console at a premium cost could do more harm than good.
⏳ What This Means for the PS6 and Next Xbox
So far, neither Sony nor Microsoft has publicly addressed how the RAM shortage could impact their plans. Still, industry signals point to two likely outcomes:
- A delay to wait for memory supply and pricing to stabilize.
- Or, a launch on schedule with higher costs passed on to consumers.
While delays are never ideal, extending the current console generation could give developers and players more time to extract value from existing hardware—assuming the market adjusts accordingly.
🔮 Final Thoughts
The future of next-gen consoles is increasingly tied to forces outside traditional gaming—especially the booming AI industry. Until RAM production catches up with demand, uncertainty will remain around pricing and release timelines for the PS6 and the next Xbox. For now, gamers may want to temper expectations and prepare for a longer wait before the next big hardware leap.