A reliable leaker called KeplerL2 revealed that the PlayStation 6 chipset’s initial design is ready for fabrication, with test production expected to begin later this year. If trends continue, a 2027 release date is anticipated.
PlayStation 6 chipset design complete: Set for 2027 release
The PlayStation 6 chipset is nearing design completion and will undergo several iterations before entering final production. Historically, Sony’s consoles have released roughly two years after this design stage, supporting the implication of a 2027 release.
The release timeline aligns with Sony’s pattern, where consoles typically have a seven-year gap: the PS3 was released in 2006, the PS4 in 2013, and the PS5 in 2020. Additionally, the PlayStation 5 faced shortages in its early years, causing a perception that it has been available for a shorter time.
The chipset is being developed in collaboration with AMD. It is expected to utilize AMD’s Zen 6 architecture, which is scheduled for rollout in 2026 for the PC market and will leverage TSMC’s 3nm and 2nm manufacturing processes.
For context, the PS5 utilizes a custom 7nm AMD Zen 2 CPU. The GPU for the PS6 will reportedly be “an early fork of gfx13,” initially part of AMD’s RDNA 5. This design was later scrapped in favor of unified UDNA technology, which caters to both gaming and datacenter GPU needs. It is presumed that the upcoming GPU fork will focus exclusively on gaming optimization.
If the information is accurate, the PlayStation 6 is expected to be a significant upgrade over the PS5. Concurrently, there has been no official announcement regarding Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox. However, 2023 Activision/Blizzard acquisition filings indicate that both the next-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles are projected to launch in 2028.
Rumors also suggest that Sony may be developing a new handheld gaming device, marking the first portable PlayStation device since the PlayStation Vita in 2012.
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