Redakcja Choose TV
The handheld 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. The latest reports, however, suggest its price could come as a major surprise. According to a well-known insider linked to AMD, current LPDDR5X memory prices make it extremely difficult to create a device costing under $600. The price increases are said to be driven mainly by huge demand from data centres expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Rising memory prices could sharply increase the price of a handheld PlayStation 6
According to a leaker known as Kepler_L2, given current market conditions a handheld PlayStation 6 priced below $600 is now 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 driving huge demand for components, and memory manufacturers must respond to the needs of companies building massive server farms.
This matters because system memory (RAM) is a significant element of the cost of modern electronic hardware. If its prices remain high, Sony will have much less room to lower the price of its new console. A handheld device also requires a suitably powerful APU, a display, a battery, cooling and other components, so any increase in production costs can affect the final price for gamers. As a result, a device that was meant to be a more affordable alternative to a full‑fledged PlayStation 6 could end up costing more than many users expect. Interestingly, memory issues do not necessarily mean a price increase for the current PlayStation 5. According to the leaker, Sony had previously secured a sufficient quantity of components needed to support console sales in 2026. That means short‑term fluctuations in memory prices should not automatically translate into another PS5 price hike. For the new generation, however, the situation will depend on when mass production begins and component prices at that time.
PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix could enter the market as exceptionally expensive consoles
The component cost problems do not concern only the portable PlayStation. For some time there have been predictions that both the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix could be among the most expensive consoles in history. In an extreme scenario their prices could reach around $1,000. Such a high amount could significantly reduce interest in the new generation and lead players to stick with current devices for much longer. For Sony, that would mean a difficult choice. The company could decide to sell the hardware with a very small margin to keep the price at an acceptable level, and then earn more from games, add-ons and the PlayStation Plus subscription. On the other hand, an excessively high price for the console itself could put off a large part of customers from the outset. According to analyses cited in the report, a price of $1,000 or higher could cause the loss of as many as four out of ten potential buyers. For now, however, it is not known exactly how much the PlayStation 6 or its portable version will cost. Sony has not yet made a final decision on when the devices will be released, so today's price forecasts should be treated as estimates rather than official information. One thing seems increasingly likely: the growing demand for memory from AI data centres could make the next generation of consoles far more expensive than players imagine.
PlayStation 6 Handheld may turn out to be considerably more expensive than initially expected. The rising demand from AI data centres for LPDDR5X memory is driving up component prices, which could affect the cost of Sony’s new console. According to insider Kepler_L2, getting the price below $600 is currently very difficult, and for the whole PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix generation there is increasing talk of devices costing around $1,000. For now these are only projections, as Sony has not yet announced an official price or release date for PlayStation 6.
source: wccftech
