The PS6: Everything We Know So Far

The PlayStation 5 is nearing the latter half of its life cycle. While the console still has plenty of mileage left, it’s also reached a point where people are asking what’s next. Sony has yet to make any formal announcement about the PS6, but it may arrive before too long.

We know a PS6 is indeed in the works. Sony job listings in 2021 hint at a new console, and the company already has the trademark for future PlayStation generations. Beyond that, though, most information is just rumors and speculation. Keep that in mind as we look at everything we know about the PlayStation 6.

When Will the PS6 Come Out?

Let’s start with the release timeline. While it’s hard to nail down a specific date, the PS6 will likely come out sometime in 2027. There are a few reasons to believe that.

The biggest piece of evidence for a 2027 release is Sony’s console history. PlayStation versions have consistently come out in six-to-seven-year increments. The PS5 came out in 2020 — seven years after the PS4 — so it makes sense for the PS6 to come out in 2027.

Court documents from Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard support this release timeline, too. In a comment on the case, Sony addresses Microsoft’s promise to keep Activision games available on PlayStation until 2027 but no longer. Sony argues that this timeline would mean the next PlayStation console would lose out on Activision titles. While the actual year they point to here is redacted, the context hints at a 2027 or 2028 release.

Of course, a lot can happen in development to push things back or bring a sooner release date. That said, the court document plus Sony’s history make a convincing case for the PS6 coming out around 2027.

How Much Will the PS6 Cost?

We can also predict how much the PS6 will cost based on previous PlayStation versions. You should expect to pay around $500 if current trends persist.

Why $500? The PS5 Digital Edition launched at $399, with the disc drive variant costing $499. The PS4 also had a $399 price tag when it first came out. Likewise, the PS3 cost $499 for the 20GB model back in 2006. 

The $399 to $499 price range seems to be where Sony likes to play. It’s worth noting, though, that the PS4 and PS3 cost closer to $500 and $730, respectively, when you account for inflation. Given that, it’s safe to say that the PS6 will probably fall closer to the $500 mark than a lower standard. It may even close cost to $600, given current inflation trends and the cost of new hardware.

What Would the PS6 Specs Be?

Now, let’s dive into what we know about the PS6’s technical specs. These predictions are harder to pin down as there’s less evidence to go on. Still, you can make a few assumptions based on the PS5 and general industry trends.

Graphics and Performance

As far as graphics go, the PlayStation 6 will likely support 8K resolutions. Technically, the PS5 has 8K support, but virtually no games do, and Sony has stopped marketing that claim as much. Given a few years of tech upgrades, you can safely expect the PS6 to reach 120 fps at 4K and 60 fps at 8K.

Storage will likely also improve with the next console. The PS5 had just 667.2GB of usable space on its solid-state drive (SSD). As games keep getting bigger, an SSD of at least a terabyte shouldn’t be out of the question. It could even reach 2TB, but Sony may hold back to keep the price manageable.

Backward Compatability

You can also expect extensive backward compatibility from the PS6. All three major console companies — Sony, Xbox and Nintendo — have emphasized this trend lately, so it’s a safe bet. The PS5 supported more than 4,000 PS4 titles, so expect support for a large number of PS4 games and likely all PS5 games.

Hardware compatibility is another issue. As much as the PS5 emphasized its collection of classic games, it didn’t let you use a PS4 controller outside of older titles. Consequently, the PS6 will almost certainly lack support for PS4-era or earlier hardware apart from some niche uses. It likely will be compatible with PS5 controllers and peripherals, though.

VR Support

The PlayStation 6 may also feature more virtual reality (VR) support than previous generations.  Sony has historically leaned into VR more than the other two console manufacturers, releasing PS VR for the PS4 and PS VR2 for the PS5. A new generation could follow with the PS6.

It’s difficult to say what exactly the PS VR3’s specs would look like. That said, you can expect higher resolutions and improved features like eye tracking. The service also won’t likely launch with the console. Rather, the PS6 could launch with PS VR2 support before introducing a new generation a year or so later.

Physical Features

Most of what we know about the PS6’s technical specs is mere speculation or analysis of current trends. Its physical features are even more of a mystery, but you can make some guesses based on people’s responses to the PS5.

The PS5 is massive. It’s so huge, in fact, that it’s a bit of a hassle to fit into an entertainment center. Considering that Sony released a 30% smaller Slim model a few years after the initial PS5 release, it seems they’ve taken notes on that front. The PlayStation 6 could follow that trend and be a little shorter and slimmer than its chonky predecessor.

Like the PS5, the PS6 will likely release without a disc drive. Digital storage has, by and large, replaced physical media today, and leaving out the drive enables a smaller console and smaller price tag. A more expensive disc version could launch alongside it or come later.

We’ll Have to Wait to Learn More About the PS6

For now, that’s everything we know about the PS6. You’ll have to wait for an official release for more details on the console.

Whatever Sony releases in 2027 or 2028 will be an impressive piece of hardware. Beyond that, all we can do is speculate about what the system will be able to do.