Next PlayStation and Xbox consoles may come out later than expected, thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis. While PC gaming has borne the brunt of the impact of the AI-driven RAM shortage, the shadow has begun to loom over consoles as prices continue to soar. Amidst this massive market shift, there are reports that PlayStation and Xbox could be rethinking their next-gen release windows in hopes of some relief in the future.
It all started in October 2025, when two major RAM manufacturers agreed to dedicate much of their memory to an OpenAI data center expansion project. Because this agreement limited the available supply, some consumer RAM prices more than tripled, and the problem has worsened ever since. More memory makers have shifted focus away from consumer markets and gaming to serve the booming AI industry, and if this continues, console companies may feel the same pressure.
Rumor: Xbox consoles could see another price hike soon
A gaming industry insider says Xbox consoles could be facing another price hike, listing the reason behind Microsoft's rumored decision.
Xbox and PlayStation may delay next-gen consoles to wait out the RAM shortage
According to a report from Insider Gaming, console makers are debating whether to delay their next-gen platforms amid this shortage. While consoles typically use a specialized form of memory separate from what gamers find in PCs, they still need RAM, and companies usually buy it from the same vendors, since only a few manufacturers account for most chip production. Consequently, companies like Sony and Microsoft are also feeling the effects of more RAM going to AI applications, which can create production bottlenecks or increase costs. With the next-gen Xbox and PS6 reportedly targeting a 2027 launch window, it's possible that the shortage won't be resolved by the time these consoles come out, so a delay may be necessary to avoid price increases.
A recent Micron report noted that the RAM shortage could last beyond 2026, as it will take time to build more cleanrooms to support higher memory production. If so, it would almost certainly affect the PS6 and future Xbox if Sony and Microsoft intend to start production in early 2027, as current rumors suggest. As Insider Gaming points out, consoles have historically subsidized their prices through game sales, but if RAM costs get high enough, that might not be enough to offset the costs, especially given how the next generation will already be expensive to produce. Waiting for the terms would help Sony and Microsoft avoid passing on higher costs to consumers.
In the past, console companies have raised their prices to compensate for their own expenses. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have all done it, but repeating the same strategy this time may not be in their best interest. After months of relatively low numbers, video game hardware sales hit a 30-year low in November 2025, even as the Switch 2 flies off the shelves. Given the dramatic decline in consumer spending and recent price hikes in the gaming industry, another increase in console costs could drive away customers and hurt sales more than Xbox or PlayStation are comfortable with. Waiting until they can justify a lower end-user cost may be worth it in light of this pressure.
Neither Sony nor Microsoft have commented on how the RAM crisis might affect their next-gen console plans yet. However, a release delay seems a real possibility, as well as a price increase if the console companies don't delay anything. It may seem scary, but there may be an upside to the current generation lasting longer, depending on how the industry reacts. For now, though, the future is uncertain, and things are looking increasingly murky for the PlayStation 6 and next-gen Xbox as RAM prices skyrocket with no end in sight.
- Stamp
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Sony PlayStation
- Original release date
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November 7, 2024
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$749.99
- Processor
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AMD Ryzen Zen 2 (8 cores, 16 threads, 3.5 GHz)
- Resolution
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Up to 8K
- HDR support
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Yes
Source: Insider Gaming
