Analyst points to strong sales and rising costs as key factors
Summary
– Strong PS5 console and game sales reduce urgency for new hardware
– Analyst expects Sony to exceed Q3 fiscal 2025 revenue projections
– Rising memory and storage costs could push the PS6 timeline back
Sony could delay the PlayStation 6, as the PlayStation 5 continues to deliver strong financial results. An industry analyst believes the company has little incentive to rush a new console while demand for current hardware and software remains steady.
Financial analyst David Gibson projects Sony will outperform expectations in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. He forecasts sales of 1.8 trillion yen and operating profit of 160 billion yen, mainly driven by PlayStation-related revenue.
PS5 console sales are believed to have received a boost from seasonal discounts between October and December. Although some signs pointed to slowing retail performance earlier in the cycle, December data from the United States showed adoption levels holding firm. Software sales are also expected to perform well despite criticism surrounding the limited number of major first-party PS5 releases.
This strong financial outlook could give Sony the flexibility to extend the current console generation. Gibson suggests that as long as PS5 hardware and software continue to generate healthy revenue, delaying the PS6 would be a viable option.
Manufacturing costs may also influence Sony’s decision. Rising prices for storage and memory components pose challenges for future hardware. Reports suggest the PS6 could require at least 32GB of advanced memory, which remains expensive and could impact pricing and production timelines.
Industry opinions remain divided. Some insiders claim both Sony and Microsoft have discussed potential delays, while others believe companies will wait for component costs to stabilize. With current consoles already selling above their original launch prices, convincing consumers to upgrade again may prove problematic in the current economic climate.
