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A portable version of the PlayStation 6 was meant to be one of the more interesting ways to enter the next generation without having to buy a very expensive home console. However, the latest reports suggest its price could come as a shock. According to a well-known insider affiliated with AMD, current LPDDR5X memory prices mean building a device that costs less than US$600 may be extremely difficult. The price increase is largely being driven by huge demand from data centres expanding AI infrastructure.
Rising memory prices could significantly push up the price of the handheld PlayStation 6
According to a leaker known as Kepler_L2, given current market conditions a handheld PlayStation 6 below US$600 is practically impossible. The main issue is LPDDR5X memory, which is used not only in consumer devices but increasingly in solutions deployed by data centres. The rise of artificial intelligence is creating huge demand for components, and memory manufacturers have to respond to the demand generated by companies building massive data centres.
The situation matters because RAM is one of the important cost elements of modern electronic hardware. If prices remain high, Sony will have far fewer options to lower the price of its new console. Portable hardware also requires a suitably powerful APU, a display, a battery, cooling and other components, so any rise in production costs can translate into a higher final price for gamers. As a result, a device that was supposed to be a more affordable alternative to the full-size PlayStation 6 could end up costing more than many expect. Interestingly, memory problems do not necessarily mean a price increase for the current PlayStation 5. According to the leaker, Sony had earlier secured sufficient quantities of components needed for console sales in 2026. That means short-term swings in memory prices should not automatically lead to another PS5 price hike. For the new generation, however, the situation will depend on when mass production starts and component prices at that time.
PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix could hit the market as exceptionally expensive consoles
Problems with component costs aren't limited to the handheld PlayStation. For some time now there have been predictions that both PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix could be among the most expensive consoles in history. In an extreme scenario their prices could even reach around $1,000. Such a high figure could significantly curb interest in the new generation and mean players stick with current devices for much longer. For Sony this would be a tough choice. The company could opt to sell the hardware with a very slim margin to keep the price at an acceptable level, then make more money from games, add‑ons and the PlayStation Plus subscription. On the other hand, a console priced too high could put off a large chunk of customers from the outset. According to analyses cited in the report, a price of $1,000 or more could cause the loss of up to four out of ten potential buyers. For now, however, it's not known exactly how much PlayStation 6 or its handheld version will cost. Sony has not yet finalised when the devices will hit the market, so today's price forecasts should be treated as estimates, not official information. One thing seems increasingly likely: the growing demand from AI data centres for memory could make the next generation of consoles far more expensive than gamers imagine.
The PlayStation 6 Handheld could turn out to be significantly more expensive than initially expected. Growing demand from AI data centres for LPDDR5X memory is driving up component prices, which could push up the cost of Sony’s new console. According to leaker Kepler_L2, getting the price below US$600 is now very difficult, and for the whole PlayStation 6 generation and Xbox Project Helix there is increasing talk of devices costing around US$1,000. For now, however, these are only forecasts, as Sony has not yet announced an official price or release date for the PlayStation 6.
source: wccftech
