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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, recent reports suggest its price could come as a big surprise. According to a well-known insider with ties to AMD, current LPDDR5X memory prices mean building a device that costs less than $600 could be extremely difficult. The price increases are primarily driven by huge demand from data centers expanding AI infrastructure.
Rising memory prices could significantly drive up the price of a handheld PlayStation 6
According to a leaker known as Kepler_L2, given current market conditions a handheld PlayStation 6 priced under $600 is practically impossible. The main issue is LPDDR5X memory, which is used not only in consumer devices but increasingly in solutions for data centers. The rise of artificial intelligence is creating enormous demand for components, and memory makers have to meet the needs of companies building massive server farms.
The situation matters because RAM is one of the major cost factors in modern electronic hardware. If memory prices stay high, Sony will have far fewer options for lowering the price of its new console. Handheld hardware also requires a sufficiently powerful APU, a screen, a battery, cooling, and other components, so any increase in production costs can affect the final price for the player. As a result, a device that was meant to be a more affordable alternative to a full PlayStation 6 may end up costing more than many users expect. Interestingly, memory problems don’t necessarily mean a price increase for the current PlayStation 5. According to the leaker, Sony had previously secured enough components to support console sales in 2026. That means short-term swings in memory prices shouldn’t automatically lead to another PS5 price hike. For the new generation, however, the outcome 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
The problems with component costs do not affect only a portable 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 reach roughly $1,000. Such a high figure could significantly reduce interest in the new generation and lead players to stick with current devices for much longer. For Sony this would mean a difficult choice. The company could decide to sell the hardware with a very slim margin to keep the price at an acceptable level, then make more profit on games, add-ons and PlayStation Plus subscriptions. On the other hand, an overly high console price could put off a large portion of customers from the start. According to the analyses cited in the report, a price of $1,000 or higher could cause the loss of up to four in ten potential buyers. For now, however, it is not yet known exactly how much PlayStation 6 or its portable version will cost. Sony has not yet made a final decision on when the devices will launch, so today's price forecasts should be treated as estimates rather than official information. One thing seems increasingly likely: the growing demand from AI data centers for memory could make the next generation of consoles much more expensive than gamers imagine.
PlayStation 6 Handheld could turn out to be significantly more expensive than initially expected. Rising demand from AI data centers for LPDDR5X memory is driving up component prices, which could affect the cost of Sony’s new console. According to leaker Kepler_L2, getting the price below $600 is currently very difficult, and for the entire PlayStation 6 generation and Xbox Project Helix there is growing talk of devices costing around $1,000. For now these are only projections, since Sony has not yet announced an official price or release date for the PlayStation 6.
Source: wccftech
