Sony's successor to the PlayStation 6 and whatever Microsoft's next Xbox ends up being called, could be delayed due to the ongoing RAM scarcity and price increase situation.

Insider Gaming says that its sources indicate there are "already ongoing talks at high levels on what the RAM availability could mean for the next" generation of video game consoles. While the publication doesn't site its sources or delve into specifics, it's known to be a reliable source of notable video game news.

According to Insider Gaming, console manufacturers are currently considering delaying the next-generation of systems from their planned 2027-2028 window. On their end, the hope is that the RAM crisis slows down, and that manufacturers will be able to catch up with the demand, in turn, forcing memory prices to drop. This is in line with a recent report from the International Data Corporation (IDC) that states the current memory crisis is expected to last "well into 2027." With that in mind, it's possible we won't see Sony's and Microsoft's next console until 2029-2030.

Given the PS6 and the next Xbox will reportedly cost significantly more than the current generation of consoles, possibly even in the $1,000 range for Microsoft's PC-like system, this rumored delay is definitely a good thing, especially since developers have only really just started to take advantage of the power current generation console hardware offers.

The PS5 and Xbox Series X could also be hit with more price increases

It's not just US tariffs that are to blame now

Based on Insider Gaming's reporting, RAM availability and cost increases will also affect the current generation of video game consoles, including the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2. Sony's console already received a price increase back in August to $550 from $500, while the Xbox Series X's price was increased to $600 from $500 in May and then to $650 in September 2025. At the time, both price hikes were blamed on US tariffs. The Switch 2 costs $550 and hasn't received a price increase yet.

Over the past few months, the price of RAM has grown significantly, with the industry's biggest manufacturers, including Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron, and more, allocating the bulk of their resources to AI companies (Micron even closed its consumer-focused Crucial brand entirely in favor of focusing on businesses only).

While the impact of the RAM crisis hit the PC gaming world first, there are now ripple effects tied to other hardware components, including GPUs, with a recent report stating that Nvidia is lowering GPU production by up to 40% in 2026, and that even legacy components like HDDs are increasing in cost.