Khaberni - Despite Sony experiencing one of its most stable phases thanks to the success of the PS5 and the launch of the PS5 Pro, attention is already turning early to the next generation: PlayStation 6 (PS6).
Despite the strict secrecy, leaks have proliferated in recent months about the launch date, specifications, and even discussions about a new portable device accompanying the next generation.
Here are some of the most notable information and leaks so far:
Launch Date of PS6
2028 seems to be the most likely year for the launch of PlayStation 6, based on:
Statements by Mark Cerny, PlayStation engineer, who hinted that the work on the next generation spans many years.
Microsoft's documents in the Activision acquisition trial, which indicated that the new generation of PlayStation might arrive post-2027.
The life cycles of PlayStation devices, which typically last about seven years, matching the PS5 released in 2020.
Furthermore, leakers such as Moore’s Law Is Dead and KeplerL2 talked about beginning the manufacturing process in 2027 in preparation for launching it by the end of the same year, but most predictions lean towards 2028 as a more realistic option.
Expected PS6 Specifications
Despite the absence of official confirmations, leaks suggest that PS6 could mark a substantial technological leap:
The Processor and Graphics
- Based on the new AMD RDNA5 or UDNA architecture.
- Graphics performance up to 40 teraflops, which is 4 to 8 times faster than PS5.
- Central processor from the Zen 6 series with up to 10 cores.
- DDR7 memory with a capacity of up to 40GB and high speeds to support massive games.
Modern Technologies
Ray Tracing improved by 12 times compared to PS5.
Standard support for resolutions:
- 4K at 120 frames per second.
- 8K at 60 frames per second.
Advanced upscaling technologies under the name PSSR to enhance image quality as seen with the PS5 Pro.
Storage
- Expectations of an increase in default capacity to 2 terabytes.
- Higher SSD read speeds to nearly eliminate loading times.
Backward Compatibility
All leaks agree that PS6 will be compatible with PS4 and PS5 games.
What is the price of PlayStation 6?
Prices remain a major point of debate, especially with the global price instability. Estimates range between:
- 550 – 700 dollars according to leaks from Moore’s Law Is Dead.
- Some analysts believe it could exceed 700 dollars.
- Expectations suggest it could be cheaper than the next generation of Xbox, which might reach twice the price of PS6.
- Sony may opt for making the disc drive detachable to reduce the price of the basic version.
PS6 might come with a new portable device
One of the biggest surprises in the wave of leaks is Sony's intention to launch a new portable device simultaneously with PS6, targeting to play PS5 and PS6 games at high quality.
Possible specifications of the portable device (codename: Canis)
- A 3nm AMD architecture chip.
- Processing power between Xbox Series S and PS5.
- Touchscreen, USB-C port, and support for ray tracing technologies.
- Capability to run games locally, not just through streaming, unlike the PlayStation Portal.
- Support for a docking station similar to the Nintendo Switch.
- Expected price between 400 – 500 dollars.
Do the launches include new games?
With BioShock 4 postponed beyond 2026, some believe that the game could be among the first titles for PS6, although this remains speculative.
Even though the details of PS6 remain in the realm of leaks, the overall picture indicates a significant leap in performance and possibly a hybrid system combining both a powerful home device and a portable device.
The most likely date of release remains 2028, unless Sony departs from its usual practices and accelerates the launch.
