The Price of Power: PS5 Pro Sparks Sticker Shock—So What Does It Mean for PS6?
Prices of the six year old PS5 and (almost) two year old PS5 Pro go up, not down!
Usually by this point of consoles lifecycle the prices go down and make our wallet’s happier, but instead the prices are going up, bringing a heavy dose of wallet-fatigue along with those boosted frame rates. As we look at the current landscape of the PS5 family, the looming shadow of the PlayStation 6 is already starting to take a very expensive shape.
The PS5 Pro: A New High-Water Mark
The PlayStation 5 Pro launched in the UK with a RRP of £699.99, but is now up to an eye-watering cost of £789.99. Pair that with a disc drive at £69.99 and vertical stand at £24.99 and your close to £885.00! Meanwhile, the standard PS5 Digital Edition has gone up to £519.99 and the PS5 with a Disc Drive is £569.99.
The PS6 Speculation: How High Can It Go?
With the PS5 Pro setting a new ceiling at £789.99, industry analysts and insiders are already shifting their gaze toward the PlayStation 6, likely aimed for a 2027 or 2028 release.
The consensus among industry experts—including whispers from analysts at Kantan Games and various hardware leakers—is that the "Golden Age" of the £399 flagship console is officially over. Here is what the industry is currently speculating regarding the PS6:
1. The £599 "New Normal" Most analysts suggest that Sony cannot return to a £450 price point for a next-generation leap. With the cost of 3nm (and eventually 2nm) chips skyrocketing, the PS6 is widely expected to launch at a minimum of $599 / £549–£599 with some estimates putting it closer to £700-£750.
2. The "Pro" Anchor By raising the price of the PS5 Pro to £789.99, Sony has effectively "anchored" the market. Speculation suggests the PS6 will be marketed as a "Pro-level" machine from day one, justifying a higher launch price than the PS5.
3. The Two-Tier Launch There is growing speculation that Sony may have a dual launch for the PS6, by releasing and PS6 portable machine, a la the Switch 2 and a home console. Both of them are expected to have a high price tag, but maybe one will be ‘cheaper’ to give players options.
The Out of Sync Verdict
Sony is testing the limits of what console gamers are willing to pay. The PS5 Pro isn't just a console; it’s a market test. If it sells well despite the £789.99 price tag, it almost guarantees that the PlayStation 6 will arrive with a premium price to match its "next-gen" ambitions.
What do you think of the current Playstation pricing? Is it too much? Let us know in the comments below!