According to several industry analysts, the price of the PS6 is likely to be well over 1,000 euros. This is primarily due to the sharp rise in the cost of chips, RAM, and storage. Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, is also feeling the impact of this problem. Ironically, the catalyst for these predictions is a device that isn’t even a console in the traditional sense: Valve’s Steam Machine, whose price has recently caused quite a stir.
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- Analysts expect the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox to exceed the 1,000-euro mark if component prices remain high.
- Valve’s Steam Machine starts at 1,039 euros for the 512-GB model because Valve has deliberately chosen not to subsidize the hardware.
- The main cause is the memory crisis: Demand for DRAM and NAND from the AI sector is driving prices up.
- The next generation of consoles is not expected to be released until 2027 at the earliest, and possibly not until 2028.
The Steam Machine sets the bar—and it’s high
Earlier this week, Valve finally announced the prices for its long-awaited Steam Machine. The compact living-room PC running SteamOS costs 1,039 euros for the base model with 512 GB. Those who want 2 TB of storage will pay 1,359 euros. Bundled with the new Steam Controller, the price comes to 1,428 euros. The console can be reserved through a lottery system, with the first confirmations set to go out starting June 29.
The reasoning behind this is interesting. Valve had originally aimed for a starting price of around 650 euros, but that was simply no longer feasible due to increased costs for memory and storage. As a result, the Steam Machine costs roughly twice as much as a standard living room console. If you want to know how the device is technically built, you can find the background details in our report on Valve’s work on its own home console.
Interestingly, despite the high price, many analysts seemed rather relieved. Mat Piscatella of Circana had expected an even higher price and considers the announced price to be reasonable given the circumstances. Emmanuel Rosier of Newzoo sees the starting price primarily as a reflection of the current market situation for components, not a deliberate strategic positioning. Aldora CEO Joost van Dreunen wasn’t surprised anyway, as he had predicted the thousand-euro price tag months earlier.
Why the PS6 price is still likely to be higher
Here’s the really interesting part. Valve doesn’t subsidize its hardware. The list price therefore reflects quite directly what the built-in components currently cost. Sony and Microsoft traditionally take a different approach: they often sell the console at a tight margin or at a slight loss and recoup the money later through games, subscriptions, and online services.
It is precisely this margin that is currently shrinking. Joost van Dreunen summed it up clearly: At this rate, the next generation might not be released until 2028, and even then, the price will clearly exceed 1,000 euros. Even if the base models continue to be subsidized, the pressure from material costs won’t simply disappear.
Rosier is somewhat more optimistic. He expects that the entry-level models of the next generation will continue to be offered and subsidized for under 999 euros to give early adopters a relatively affordable way to get started. Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls also emphasizes that Sony and Microsoft have the supply chains and software revenue to cushion high hardware costs—something Valve lacks in this form. However, even the two giants won’t be able to completely escape the cost pressure.
What We Know About the PlayStation 6 So Far
Sony has not yet officially announced specific figures regarding the PS6’s price. The most likely release window is 2027, based in part on statements from Sony’s chief console architect, Mark Cerny. A semi-custom AMD SoC is expected for the chip, similar to the one used in the PS5. If component prices do not stabilize by then, this is likely to drive up the final price significantly.
| Device | Current / Expected Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 (Slim) | Starting at approx. 555 euros | Available in stores |
| PlayStation 5 Pro | Starting at approx. 829 euros | in stores |
| Xbox Series X | Starting at approx. 599 euros | in stores |
| Steam Machine (512 GB) | 1,039 euros | Pre-order |
| Steam Machine (2 TB) | 1,359 euros | Pre-order |
| PlayStation 6 | Expected > 1,000 euros | Rumor / ~2027 |
| Xbox Project Helix | still to be determined | Rumor / ~2027 |
Xbox Project Helix faces the same problem
The situation is similar at Microsoft. The next Xbox is known internally by the codename Project Helix and is intended to combine Xbox and PC games on a single device. At its heart is an AMD chip codenamed Magnus, which combines Zen 6 cores with RDNA 5 graphics. This performance comes at a price, both in terms of power consumption and manufacturing costs. We’ve already summarized the details on strategy and hardware when Microsoft officially confirmed Project Helix.
The timeline also aligns with the PS6: AMD CEO Lisa Su has suggested 2027 as a possible launch date. You can read more about what this means for the market in our article on the possible launch date of the next Xbox. Project Helix is already being discussed in the industry as a device that may require new business models or additional hardware partners in order to be released at a consumer-friendly price at all.
The Real Cause: RAMageddon
Why is everything getting more expensive right now? The reason lies in memory. Prices for DRAM and NAND chips have skyrocketed because the AI sector is consuming enormous amounts of working memory and data storage. The industry has long dubbed this phenomenon “RAMageddon.” According to reports, some memory prices have climbed by up to 60 percent.
This isn’t limited to high-end devices. Nintendo has confirmed a 50-euro price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2, effective September 1, 2026. This is a console with significantly weaker hardware that is nonetheless being affected by the memory shortage. For the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the pressure is more indirect, manifesting as fluctuating prices depending on the model, region, and bundle. If you’re currently looking for the right hardware, you should also check out our recommendations for the best controllers for PC and console.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PS6 Price
When will the PS6 be released?
There is no official release date yet. As is customary in the industry, 2027 is considered the most likely timeframe, though some analysts even think 2028 is possible due to component costs.
How much will the PlayStation 6 cost?
Sony hasn’t announced a price. Analysts expect the PS6 price to exceed 1,000 euros, unless memory prices drop significantly. However, a subsidized entry-level model priced under 999 euros is considered a possibility.
Why is the Steam Machine so expensive?
Valve does not subsidize the hardware and does not sell it at a loss. The price of 1,039 euros therefore reflects the actual production costs, which have risen sharply due to the memory crisis.
Conclusion: The PS6 price will hurt
The Steam Machine is essentially a preview of what awaits us in the next generation of consoles. As long as the AI boom continues to drain the memory market, hardware will remain expensive, and the PS6 price will feel the impact. Sony and Microsoft have more leverage than Valve to offset costs through software and subscriptions. The only question is how much of that will ultimately still be passed on to the buyer. So anyone considering buying a new console should mentally prepare for a price tag of a thousand or more.
