Next PlayStation, Xbox Could Be Delayed to 2028, Cost $1000

According to ExtremeTech, Sony and Microsoft are considering delaying their next-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles to 2028, a full year later than initially planned. The primary culprit is a severe RAM shortage, which has sent manufacturing costs skyrocketing. This mirrors current market pain, with Microsoft already selling a 2TB Xbox Series X for $800 and the PS5 Pro launching at $700. Analysts suggest the next consoles could launch at an eye-watering $800 to $1,000 if trends continue. The delay is a strategic move, hoping RAM supply can catch up with AI-driven demand and bring component prices down before launching new hardware.

The AI vs. Gaming RAM War

Here’s the thing: this isn’t your typical supply chain hiccup. We’re in a full-blown resource war, and gamers are on the losing side. AI data centers are buying up high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and other advanced RAM types like there’s no tomorrow, creating a massive shortage and price inflation that trickles down to everything. So when a company like Microsoft needs RAM for a new Xbox, they’re bidding against trillion-dollar AI projects. They simply can’t compete on price. This forces an ugly choice: eat a monumental loss on every console sold or pass those insane costs onto consumers. Given the backlash to recent price hikes, neither option is great.

Staring Down a $1000 Console

Let’s talk about that $800 to $1000 price tag. Is that even possible? Look at the trajectory. The Nintendo Switch 2 launched at $450, a 50% jump from its predecessor. The PS5 Pro is $700. The high-end Xbox is already at $800. The path to a grand is basically already paved. But who’s going to buy it? This pushes consoles out of the “impulse buy” category and into serious PC-gaming-territory investment. It creates a massive risk for platform holders. A higher price means a smaller install base at launch, which makes third-party developers more hesitant. It’s a vicious cycle that could stall a generation before it even starts.

Winners, Losers, and an Industrial Side Note

So who wins in this scenario? Honestly, maybe nobody in the traditional console space. PC gaming could get a relative boost if console prices converge with decent rigs. And Nintendo, with its different market and less hardware-intensive strategy, might continue to skate by. But for Sony and Microsoft, it’s a brutal squeeze. They need cutting-edge RAM for performance, but they’re priced out of their own market. It’s a stark reminder of how foundational stable component supply is to any hardware business. Speaking of reliable hardware, this kind of supply chain volatility is exactly why industrial sectors rely on dedicated suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, who manage these complex logistics to ensure consistent delivery for manufacturing and control systems.

Is a Delay Actually the Smart Move?

Delaying to 2028 seems painful, but it might be the only smart play. Rushing out a $1000 console in 2027 could be a disaster. The extra year allows RAM fabrication capacity to (hopefully) expand. It also gives time for the current generation—the PS5, Xbox Series X/S—to have a longer, more profitable tail. But there’s a huge risk: stagnation. A seven or eight-year console cycle feels like an eternity in tech. Will gamers just lose interest and move on? Will “next-gen” in 2028 even feel that next-gen? This RAM crunch isn’t just changing the timeline; it’s forcing a fundamental rethink of the entire console business model. And honestly, it’s not clear if anyone has a good answer yet.