PS6: What We Know and When to Expect Sony’s Next-Gen Console

With the release of the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) finally announced for November, many people are already starting to wonder about the PS6. While it’s still likely a ways away, let’s take a look at Sony’s past release cycles to see if we can take an educated guess about what to expect.

When will the PS6 arrive?

Based on Sony’s past console release cycles, which typically span six to seven years, we can expect the PS6 to arrive around 2027 or 2028 since the PS5 came out in 2020, putting the PS5 near the middle of its lifespan. Sony executives have confirmed that the PS5 is entering the “latter stage” of its life, further suggesting that the PS6 is also something that they are thinking about. New technologies, like AI, might help push the timetable up slightly if there is a rush to be the first to bring that tech to the gaming community.

What hardware and features can we expect?

When the PS6 does arrive, it will likely build on the technological advancements of the PS5 and contain some of the features of the recently announced PS5 Pro. According to rumors, the PS6 will continue to use AMD’s cutting-edge chipsets, likely the Zen 5 architecture, which could deliver 8K resolution and improved 4K gaming at 60 or 120 frames per second. This extra power will help games look better, load faster, and run smoother, especially during high-action sequences where many games experience a drop in frame rate.

Additionally, the PS6 may introduce a new version of the DualSense controller, possibly the DualSense 2, which could feature improved haptic feedback and better battery life. Other improvements could include more storage space, more efficient use of SSD technology, and efforts to reduce the massive game file sizes that have become common in recent years.

Has Sony confirmed the development of the PS6?

Sony has not officially confirmed the development of the PS6. However, industry insiders and analysts suggest that it is inevitable based on Sony’s typical console cycle, the tendency for games to get increasingly complex, requiring better graphics and more processing power, and Sony executives' statements that the console is entering its “latter stage.”

Will the PS6 be backward compatible with PS5 games?

While Sony has not officially confirmed this, backward compatibility has been a key feature of recent consoles. Given the growing importance of keeping previous-generation libraries accessible, the PS6 will likely be backward compatible with PS5 games​.

Follow GeekSided for all of your PlayStation news and rumors.