With the PS5 Pro to hit $899.99 next week, we’re within touching distance of four figure consoles, a price point previously thought unthinkable.
While you don’t necessarily need Sony’s supercharged system to enjoy the PS5, the cheapest model will cost $599.99 – a $200 increase compared to its launch price.
So what does this all mean for the PS6, rumoured to release in 2027?
Well, consultant Dr. Serkan Toto believes there’s a very real possibility we could be looking at a next-gen console in the $999.99 range.
Industry researcher Joost van Dreunen agrees, explaining “we're quickly moving towards a world in which a $1,000 console will be the norm, and console gaming will become a luxury expenditure”.
He told GamesRadar:
“They really don't want to raise prices on their hardware, because that part is usually a heavily subsidized part of the equation and the sale of games is the gravity point of their revenue model. I predict that the next generation of console hardware will start at a 50% higher price point than the current one did.”
Circana analyst Mat Piscatella adds: “Could we see $1,000 pricing? Sure, that's possible. I would really hate to see that, but it's possible.”
For the record, all of the reporting around the PS6 suggests Sony has attempted to build a more cost effective console, but its work could be undone by the global economic environment.
With wars waging, AI gobbling up key computer components, and inflation through the roof, this feels like the worst time to be launching a next-gen console.
There has been some speculation Sony could delay its next box, but there’s no guarantee costs will come down in 2028 or 2029. Furthermore, it’s likely to have already agreed contracts with vendors, which could be costly to cancel.
All of this means there are some difficult decisions ahead for new CEO Hideaki Nishino, who appears to have taken PlayStation’s top job at the worst possible time.