Sony confirms PS6 on track as PS5 shipments hit 97.9 million

PlayStation 6 development continues to progress according to plan, Sony confirmed during its latest earnings call. The company reported that 97.9 million units of the current-generation PS5 have been shipped to retailers, a figure that includes 2.6 million consoles dispatched between July and September. Despite these updates, Sony has not disclosed a specific launch window, price point, or technical specifications for the next-generation hardware.

PS5 shipment figures clarified

The 97.9 million total represents units sent to retail partners rather than direct sales to consumers, a distinction noted by Simulation Daily. While the gap between shipped and sold units is typically minimal, characterizing the milestone as "near 100 million sold" exaggerates the actual consumer uptake. The quarterly shipment volume of 2.6 million reflects the console’s position in the later stages of its lifecycle, a trend Sony described as expected.

The gaming division maintained strong financial performance, with revenue increasing by 9% and operating profit rising more than 80% year over year. Sony attributed this growth to third-party game sales, first-party titles, and cost reductions, subsequently raising its forecast for the segment. Active PlayStation users reached 127 million as of September.

Studio delays and memory costs

Internal scheduling adjustments are underway at Sony’s own studios. The release of God of War: Laufey has been pushed back to May 20, 2027. Regarding the PS6, VGC reported that Sony anticipates "solid progress" during the fiscal year beginning in April 2027, though no official launch timeframe was provided.

Rising RAM prices present a significant challenge to console manufacturing costs. Sony stated it has partially offset these increases through pricing strategies and promotions. The company also confirmed agreements with suppliers regarding memory volumes for projected sales next year, although this does not guarantee fully secured production capacity for the PS6.

Analyst speculation vs. official plans

Some industry analysts predict a 2028 launch for the PS6, but this remains speculative and not part of Sony’s official planning. Similarly, circulating online estimates regarding the console's price are unconfirmed by the manufacturer. Nothing in the current report indicates a PS6 release within the next twelve months.

For consumers, a PS5 purchased today will likely support several years of first-party and third-party game releases. The earnings report did not confirm any changes to US or UK pricing, nor did Sony indicate whether further adjustments are planned. Additionally, the company recently offered to buy back spare PS5 consoles for up to $400, suggesting continued demand for the existing model.