Sony’s recently announced PlayStation 5 Pro, priced at $699, has stirred a wave of concern among gamers. This hefty price tag, in a world where smartphones and high-end GPUs cost thousands, has many questioning if it’s a prelude to even higher prices for the next-generation PlayStation 6.
Rumors suggest that the PS6 is already in development, with AMD set to provide a custom-built chip for the console. The speculation arises from the PS5 Pro’s price: if a boosted version of the PS5 comes in at $699, could the PS6, with significantly enhanced capabilities, reach a staggering $999?
The allure of full 4K 120FPS+ and even 8K 60FPS+ gaming on the PS6, coupled with Microsoft’s seeming struggles with Xbox, could give Sony the leeway to charge a premium.
The PS5 Pro utilizes AMD’s Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU. The PS6 is rumored to leverage the newer Zen 5 CPU and RDNA 5 GPU architecture, potentially offering double the performance of the PS5 Pro. This significant leap in power could justify a higher price tag.
Adding to the cost equation is the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2025. The development of such high-end games for the PS6 is expected to be significantly more expensive, potentially leading to further price increases for games.
The $699 price tag of the PS5 Pro has ignited a debate about the future of console pricing. While Sony might have a strong case for a higher price due to the PS6’s expected power, it remains to be seen how gamers will react to such a steep increase.
