Ongoing instability in the global memory market may force Sony and Microsoft to rethink the launch timelines for their next-generation consoles, according to a new report. Hardware constraints tied to rising RAM costs and limited supply are now being cited as a potential reason for delaying the debut of the PlayStation 6 and Microsoft’s next Xbox, currently known by the codename “Xbox Magnus.”
Industry sources quoted by Insider Gaming suggest that both consoles, previously expected to arrive between 2027 and 2028, could be pushed further into the future as manufacturers grapple with escalating component prices that began climbing sharply in late 2025. The concern is not limited to cost alone, but also to whether sufficient volumes of memory can be secured to support large-scale console production at a competitive price.
At the centre of the issue is RAM. Next-generation consoles are widely expected to rely on significantly larger pools of unified memory—shared between the CPU and GPU—likely in the range of 24GB to 32GB per unit. With current shortages, sourcing that amount of memory has become increasingly expensive, raising fears that launch prices could exceed what the mass market is willing to accept.
Sony and Microsoft are reportedly cautious about repeating scenarios where hardware launches are hampered by high prices or limited availability. While premium models such as the PS5 Pro have shown that consumers will tolerate higher costs to some extent, both companies are believed to be aiming for broader adoption with their next platforms.
A prohibitively expensive launch could undermine early sales momentum and make it difficult to hit internal targets.
The memory shortage is being driven largely by surging demand from artificial intelligence companies. As data centres expand to support AI workloads, manufacturers have prioritised enterprise customers, diverting large portions of RAM production away from consumer electronics. The resulting imbalance between supply and demand has pushed prices up across the entire hardware market, affecting everything from PCs and graphics cards to game consoles.
This pressure is already being felt elsewhere. Valve, for example, recently avoided announcing pricing for its newly revealed Steam Machine, reportedly due to uncertainty around component costs. Analysts now believe the RAM market may not stabilise until 2027, when new production capacity is expected to come online.
If delays do materialise, the upside for Sony and Microsoft would be a longer runway for the current PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. Fully next-gen exclusive titles only began arriving in significant numbers in 2024, leaving room for the existing hardware to continue growing its install base without being prematurely replaced.
Neither Sony nor Microsoft has publicly confirmed any change to their next-generation plans. However, sources cited in the report note that internal discussions are ongoing, and that both companies are closely monitoring market conditions before committing to firm timelines.
If the situation does not improve, consumers may feel the impact well beyond consoles. Higher RAM prices are expected to impact PC builds, graphics cards, and other electronics throughout 2026, underscoring the profound influence of the AI-driven supply crunch on the broader technology landscape.
