The rising expenses as AI firms compete for memory resources Matthew Field Senior Technology Reporter Matthew Field Matthew Field serves as a Senior Technology Reporter focusing on the technology industry in the UK.
Read more 16 February 2026 6:43pm GMT Related Topics Artificial Intelligence, Major tech firms, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch 13 Consider us as a primary source A child using a PS5 Sony is expected to postpone the release of its upcoming PlayStation console due to a limited supply of memory chips resulting from the growth of artificial intelligence (AI).
Reports indicate that the launch of the new PS6 may be pushed back to 2028 or potentially 2029 as the Japanese corporation struggles to secure essential parts needed for the console amidst increasing competition from data centers.
Major electronic manufacturers like Sony are encountering escalating costs for Random Access Memory (RAM) chips since they have been acquired by profitable AI clients to support their expansive language model chatbots. Counterpoint Research has revealed that the cost of RAM chips has surged by 600% over the last year, compelling device producers to contemplate raising prices or postponing the release of new items.
Trendforce has also forecasted a doubling of prices in just the first quarter of 2026. Initially scheduled for release late next year, the PS6 may not debut until 2029, as reported by Bloomberg.
This console will follow the PS5, which became available in 2020. Analysts from Sandstone Insights Japan remarked last month that the new PlayStation is “expected to face a longer delay than many anticipated” due to the component shortage.
Piers Harding-Rolls from Ampere Analysis noted: “The pressure on memory supply and rising costs could hinder the launch schedules for various categories of consumer electronics, including gaming consoles.”
Nintendo is also weighing the option of increasing the retail price of its well-known Switch 2 console in light of the soaring RAM prices, as indicated by Bloomberg. Ben Wood, the chief analyst at CCS Insight, stated: “Memory prices for certain consumer electronic devices have seen a twofold increase over the past two quarters, and they keep climbing.”
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