Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios executive Shuhei Yoshida has suggested that the PlayStation 6 (PS6) will likely launch in 2028. According to Yoshida, the component shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly extended the lifespan of the PS5 generation.
Although a 2027 release would align with the typical seven-year console cycle, Yoshida believes that timeframe might be “too soon.”
“The PS5 generation was slowed down due to manufacturing issues. 2028 seems like the right time to me. Companies, including ours, made significant investments, so we had to adjust to reality. If you factor in the COVID years, you’ll see a slight extension in this generation’s growth,” Yoshida explained.
With the PS5 Pro now on the market, speculation around the PS6 is increasing. However, Sony is still fully focused on the PS5, which recently had its best holiday season yet, selling 9.5 million units—nearly matching the record sales period from 2017.
Since its launch in 2020, the PlayStation 5 has sold 75 million units, while the Xbox Series X|S has reached around 28 million, showing gradual annual growth. The recent PS5 Pro launch and the anticipated arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 could shake up the market, with more noticeable shifts expected in the second half of 2025.
Yoshida also hinted that Sony’s strategy for the PS6 aligns with reports about the next Xbox, which is also rumored for a 2028 release. However, neither Sony nor Microsoft has officially confirmed these plans.
PlayStation cycles
Each console generation follows a cycle shaped by technology advancements and market strategies. Over the past 30 years, the PlayStation lineup has undergone significant changes.
The original PlayStation debuted in 1995, with its successor, the PS2, arriving just five years later in 2000. The PS3 followed six years after that in 2006, while the PS4 took seven years to launch in 2013. The same seven-year gap continued with the release of the PS5 in 2020, leading to speculation that the PS6 may follow a similar timeline.
The rumors around PS6
In January, an industry insider revealed that the main PS6 chip had already been finalized and was ready to enter the production phase. Factoring in component assembly, mass production, and distribution, the insider reinforced that the PS6 launch is expected in 2027.
Additionally, the insider claimed that Sony is developing two prototypes—one likely for the next-generation PlayStation console and the other for a potential handheld device, which would be a less powerful version of the PS6.
Given the success of the Nintendo Switch, the rising demand for portable gaming, and Microsoft Gaming’s recent confirmation that it is working on a portable Xbox, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sony is also exploring this direction.
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