Rising DRAM and storage costs have forced companies to either delay product launches or increase prices. Sony is one notable company impacted, as it recently increased the prices of the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal. Now, analysts believe this is just the beginning, and future consoles could cost much more, with $1,000 becoming the norm.

In an interview with GamesRadar, several industry analysts shared their thoughts on where pricing is headed. Joost van Dreunen, a researcher and video games professor at NYU, points out that memory costs have surged by 80-90% since early 2026, largely due to demand from AI data centers and supply chain issues.

Price rises may carry over into next-gen consoles

Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of consultancy firm Kantan Games, shared a similar view to Van Deunen. He said it’s not unrealistic to expect at least one version of the PlayStation 6 to launch at around $999. According to him, Sony’s recent price increases may already be factoring in future cost fluctuations, allowing the company to avoid frequent price hikes later. Regardless, “I think $999 at least for one variant of the PS6 is not impossible,” he adds.

“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. 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.”

Joost van Dreunen, Industry Research & Video Games Professor at the NYU Stern School of Business

Meanwhile, Mat Piscatella, Senior Director and Video Game Industry Advisor at Circana, says the situation is still very uncertain. He noted that while $1,000 pricing is possible, there are too many variables right now to say anything with confidence. He also mentioned that even the release window for next-gen consoles could shift depending on how market conditions evolve.

Despite the uncertainty, Van Dreunen made one of the most clear-cut predictions. He expects next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox’s Project Helix to launch at around 50% higher prices than the current generation. Overall, the message from analysts is clear. Rising component costs and global issues are pushing hardware prices up, and next-gen consoles could be significantly more expensive than what players are used to, or even comfortable with.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.