PS6 7 has what Sony needs to retain its console crown

Main points

• AI integration in PS6 could revolutionize gameplay.
• PS6 backward compatibility will likely offer the full range of PlayStation games with performance upgrades and resolutions.
• PS6 can focus on 8K gaming, with a high refresh rate, customizable modular design, and a more low-key, minimalist appearance.

It seems like only yesterday that Sony launched the PlayStation 5 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it seems like all of these devices have been bought up by scalpers over the next few months. However, time flies and we’re steadily approaching the midlife point of the latest Sony consoles, which also means rumors about the next generation of consoles are starting to circulate.

Of course, we’re taking these rumors with a grain of salt, or rather, a grain of salt, considering we’re probably still a few years away from the new generation. They are now based more on current technology trends and forecasts than on any specific insider information.

That being said, they’re also a great way to let your imagination run wild, and for now just think about the consoles we’d like to see from Sony. Since the PS5 is already such a great piece of technology, there’s very little that needs to change aside from the usual performance improvements, but we have some ideas about where the next generation might take us. Here are some of the best.

1 Artificial Intelligence Integration

PS6 needs to be smart

Artificial intelligence is the name of the game today, and the technology is moving into areas that are increasingly less obvious. So we fully expect Sony to find a way to implement this into its upcoming console.

Having said that, it’s hard to guess what implementation this might look like. One of the most obvious uses is an AI-based assistant feature that could be coming to the PlayStation 6, but we’re not sure if such an obvious feature will be the game-changer Sony is looking for in every console generation. As such, we expect AI to play a more prominent role in the next generation of consoles.

Given that the PS6 will certainly be a gaming-focused technology like previous generations, we’re sure AI will be focused on gaming as well. Here we may see technology similar to Nvidia’s frame generation and HDR-generating capabilities, but we may also see other AI-based technologies that will impact gameplay or visual fidelity. AI technology still has plenty of time to mature, so we’ll definitely see more innovations emerging from the AI ​​boom and making their way to the PlayStation 6.

2 backward compatibility

I want the ultimate game library on PS6

Buying a new console doesn’t mean giving up your old console and its library of older, but still exciting, games. That’s why backwards compatibility is so important – it means you can continue playing your favorite last-gen (or older) games directly on your new device without having to dust off your old console.

We hope the PS6 continues its tradition of backwards compatibility with older PlayStation games, but it should expand this feature even further. There’s almost nothing stopping Sony from offering full backwards compatibility from PS5 to PS1. What’s more, Sony could also try to perform performance upgrades for its older games, allowing previous-generation games to run at higher resolutions or higher frame rates, taking full advantage of the new console’s powerful hardware.

3 8K gaming

Let’s take a look at all the pixels on PS6

Speaking of visual upgrades, let’s talk about resolution. Of course, the PS5 already supports 8K gaming, but given the console’s performance and lack of games running at 8K, that’s only a theoretical undertaking. Add to that the fact that 8K monitors are rare and extremely expensive, and you get a very niche feature that’s not very useful these days.

That being said, it’s great that the PS5 is already looking at the future of display technology, and the PS6 will definitely expand on that, bringing not only 8K gaming, but possibly even high-refresh-rate 8K gaming. Combining better, more powerful hardware with newer upscaling technology (possibly leveraging artificial intelligence) could create a pretty capable 8K gaming monster.

4 Modular design

Replacement parts would be cool

When Sony launches the updated PS5 Slim in late 2023, one of the less flashy but more interesting changes it will bring is its modular optical drive. You can purchase an all-digital model and configure it with an optical drive that is simply modularly connected to a separate main unit. Many claim this isn’t a one-off idea and that a modular design approach could be Sony’s future goal. That could mean the company will be able to sell the same base unit to everyone, rather than relying on two different models – a digital version and a disc-based version – as it does today.

What’s more, it could open the way for more customization, bring easier storage expansion, and maybe even performance or ventilation updates.

5 PS6’s more low-profile design

The design team had a lot of fun with the PS5

All in all, one thing is for sure – the PS5 is a radical departure from the boxy design of previous PlayStations. Compared to the conservative design of its biggest rival, the Xbox Series X/S, it’s truly something else and stands out. That being said, there’s a reason why gaming consoles tend to have a boxy shape – they’re supposed to fit inside a TV cabinet and blend in with the rest of the equipment in the TV cabinet, such as receivers, amplifiers, etc. So when the PS5 came out, they were the same size as a TV stand even though it wasn’t boxy, and it threw that visual compatibility out the window.

So now that Sony’s design team has had some fun with the PS5, it’s time to return to the tried-and-true form factor. There’s a reason why media devices are understated, as not everyone wants to show off their gaming console all the time, preferring a more minimalist, understated look. It would be great if the next generation could pick this up again.

6 Pay more attention to VR

Sony Vision Pro for PS6?

With VR seemingly once again trying to conquer the mainstream gaming market, it’s time for the next-gen PlayStation to really bet on this market. Sure, the new PSVR2 is a great piece of gear, but as an expensive standalone headset with a single purpose for gaming, it might be a hard sell.

So it’s time for Sony to really take VR seriously in its consoles, and not just VR games. The Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 show that VR and AR are slowly making their way into productivity and creative spaces, and Time Console VR is not far behind, with applications ranging from the best VR games to more professional, less casual uses.

7 Make PS6 a true all-rounder

Just play, don’t work…

Speaking of applications beyond gaming, it’s time for gaming consoles to realize their true potential and start branching out from just gaming-centric uses.

When a new generation of consoles comes out, they always offer incredible value for money. This makes them great gaming machines, but if the software allows, they can also be great productivity suites. Imagine that your PlayStation or Xbox is the only device in your home, responsible for everything from gaming to media consumption to light work or internet browsing.

Of course, even now, there’s nothing stopping you from connecting your mouse and keyboard to your PS, firing up a browser, and filling out some spreadsheets, but it’s a pretty tiring experience. With a few tweaks and a few more productivity-focused apps, the PlayStation could become the go-to device for all your computing needs, and for around $500, it’s pretty cheap indeed.

FAQ

Q: When will PlayStation 6 be released?

That being said, there’s still a question as to when the PlayStation 6 will be released. We know right off the bat that the next generation of consoles won’t arrive for a few years, as we’ve just received the updated PS5 Slim – which means we’re probably in the middle of the current generation of consoles. That being said, Sony is definitely already deep into the next generation of consoles, as console development cycles typically take several years from start to finish, as evidenced by the fact that the company is already hiring engineers for “Future PlayStation Projects.” 2021. So, when can we expect Sony’s next-gen console to be released? Let’s examine previous release dates to paint a broader picture here:

• PlayStation 3 Release Date: November 2006
• PlayStation 4 release date: November 2013
• PlayStation 5 release date: November 2020
• PlayStation 6 release date: November 2027?

As you can see, the PlayStation release cycle has been pretty steady over the past few generations, with a new console releasing every seven years. Additionally, the release window is solid, slated for mid-November—just before the holiday season. So, without any indication of possible delays (at least for now), we can expect the PlayStation 6 to launch sometime in mid-November 2027, seven years after the PlayStation 5 was released. Of course, this is a rough estimate at the moment and we haven’t really heard any more concrete rumors, but it’s a good starting point.

Q: How much does the PlayStation 6 cost?

We already have a release date, so we have one more detail left: the price of the upcoming console. Again, it’s best to look at previous generations to see what we’re dealing with:

• PlayStation 3: $499
• PlayStation 4: $399
• PlayStation 5: $399 (digital)/$499 (disc drive)
• PlayStation 6: $449 to $499 (digital)/$549 to $599 (disc drive)

We can see that Sony has kept the PlayStation price between $400 and $500 for many years. That being said, since tech products have generally become more expensive over the past few years, and inflation has had a considerable impact on global prices, we sadly expect the Japanese company to slightly increase the price of its upcoming console.

Our best estimate is that the all-digital version should start at over $400, possibly $449 or even $499. If Sony went the modular route, we imagine the optical drive would cost an additional $99, with disc-enabled models around $549 to $599. Again, these are just our best guesses at the moment, and they may change once more rumors come to light as the release date gets closer.