As the PlayStation 5 continues to make waves in the gaming industry, fans can’t help but wonder about the future of Sony’s gaming consoles. With the release of the PlayStation 5 nearly three years ago, speculation surrounding the highly anticipated PlayStation 6 has begun to swirl. However, the current console is still in its infancy, hindered by a global semiconductor chip shortage that has impacted its production.
Despite this challenge, the PlayStation 5 has been steadily gaining momentum, recently surpassing 40 million sales. Nonetheless, the figure falls short of its predecessor’s remarkable sales of over 115 million units, suggesting that Sony’s primary focus remains on making their current-gen console available to everyone. This article will explore the top rumors surrounding the PS6 and examine when it might hit the shelves.
Exploring the recent PlayStation 6 rumors
Speculation surrounding the PS6 has ignited desire among gaming enthusiasts, with rumors hinting at its development and potential features. A significant source of speculation comes from Masayasu Ito, Sony’s Executive VP of Hardware Engineering. In an interview, Ito stated that console generations had seen a reduction in lifespan, suggesting that the PlayStation 5 could have a shelf life of six to seven years, marking the halfway point in its life cycle.
Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson added fuel to the rumor mill when he suggested that there might not be a PlayStation 5 Pro. His comments implied that Sony could be shifting its focus to the development of the PlayStation 6, as he seemed to be privy to information about the upcoming console. However, most recently, he took a U-turn by reporting that the PS5 Pro is certainly in the works.
As for if there's going to be a Pro version this generation, I'm not entirely sure. It doesn't feel like the regular version has been fully utilized yet and probably won't be on mass until the end of the year. All I can say is that I've heard more about the PS6 than a PS5 Pro.
— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) January 23, 2023
Another interesting tidbit comes from a document related to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision. The paper indicates that Call of Duty games will continue to be released on PlayStation until 2027, possibly suggesting that the PlayStation 6 won’t hit the market until after.
While these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, they spark excitement and anticipation for what the future holds for Sony’s next-generation gaming console.
What to expect from the next generation of gaming
The PlayStation 5 is undoubtedly an impressive piece of hardware, but there is always room for improvement. In terms of what to expect from the PS6, Sony’s main focus will likely be ensuring that every game can run at 4K resolution with a smooth 60 frames per second. This is something that the PS5 struggled with, particularly in more graphically intensive games.
Additionally, the PS6 will likely see the introduction of the DualSense 2 controller, which will offer better battery life and potentially even more advanced haptic feedback. Finally, it’s possible that the PS6 will be able to support resolutions up to 8K, assuming that becomes a standard in the coming years.
When will PS6 release?
Given Sony’s history with console releases, it’s unlikely that we’ll see the PlayStation 6 anytime soon. The company tends to release new consoles every six or seven years, and with the PS5 only just hitting the market in 2020, it seems unlikely that the PS6 will arrive before 2027.
However, it’s worth noting that Sony tends to support their consoles for years after releasing new iterations. They continue to release new exclusive games for the PS4, despite it being nearly ten years old at this point. So, even if the PS6 does arrive sooner than expected, players shouldn’t worry about being left behind. Sony will likely continue to support the PS5 for years to come.
