Although it’s been just a couple of years since the release of the PlayStation 5, talk of the PlayStation 6 is already underway. There’s good reason for this as well, since Sony has already marked future names. In fact, the trademarks for PS6, PS7, PS8, PS9, and PS10 have already been registered under Sony’s banner. Of course, it’s difficult to predict when the PlayStation 6 will arrive. The PlayStation 5 is still quite difficult to get your hands on, with numerous outlets constantly on the lookout for the console’s restocking.
However, there’s a higher chance of us seeing variants of the PlayStation 5. Sony could be looking to release PlayStation 5 Pro or PlayStation 5 Slim. After all, the PlayStation 4 console also had these variants released, a few years after the release of the base console. Moreover, talks of a PlayStation 5 with a detachable disc drive are underway, with tests by Sony ‘looking positive’. There might be a significant change in the chassis as well. Considering all these factors, the PlayStation 6 might be a few years away. Nonetheless, we’re going to talk about our expectations and the possibilities for the new console in this blog!
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PS6 Release Date
Sony usually keeps a large gap between their console releases. More often than not, this gap in release dates tends to be between five to seven years. In fact, there was a gap of seven years between the release of the PlayStation 4 (2013) and the PlayStation 5 (2020). Taking this into account, we won’t see the PlayStation 6 until 2026, at the very least.
Earlier, the life cycle between console releases was almost 10 years. However, with rapid technological advancements, Sony had to reduce a console’s lifecycle to six years. So, the PS6 release date won’t likely be before 2026. In 2023 or 2024, fans may have to gear up for a new variant of the PlayStation 5, such as PlayStation 5 Pro or PlayStation 5 Slim.
What we could be seeing
While the PlayStation 5 is a very popular console, there are some minor improvements that can be made to it. With the release of the PlayStation 6 being a few years away, Sony has the time to reflect on customer feedback and implement changes accordingly. Here, we’re going to take a look at a few things that we’d want to see in the next-generation PlayStation console.
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Smaller size
The PlayStation 5 is a massive console. In fact, it’s the largest console of all time. While this size can be significant in some regards, people have faced issues shelving the console without the proper unit. Furthermore, these shelving units are difficult to acquire and can be pretty expensive. If Sony can manage to resize and redesign the chassis for a smaller size in the PlayStation 6, it would be a marked improvement over the predecessor. Nonetheless, we might see a future PlayStation 5 Slim that could incorporate a thinner chassis, without compromising on the airflow.
Wireless charging on top
The PlayStation 5 does come with a wireless charging dock for charging the DualSense controllers. However, this extra dock adds clutter next to the TV, especially considering the behemoth size of the PlayStation 5. Instead, Sony could design the PlayStation 6 in such a manner that placing the controller on top of the console initiates wireless charging. This technology is evident in the smartphone industry and could be implemented into Sony’s consoles as well. Sony may not need to allocate the charging area specifically for their controllers, either. It could charge smartphones or headsets if they are compatible devices.
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Storage options
The PlayStation comes with sizeable internal storage. However, considering the rapid pace with which gaming technology is advancing, expandable internal storage is the need of the hour. At the moment, Sony is working on releasing an update that could utilise expandable storage. All you’ll have to do is remove the side panel and add your new SSD. Nonetheless, there are some issues with this. The new drive that you insert must have specifications that meet or excel the NVMe SSDs that the PlayStation 5 uses. These particular SSDs are quite expensive, making expandable storage a rather complicated issue.
To offset this problem, plenty of gamers utilise external storage options. However, there are problems here too. External, third-party storage options cannot use the full power of the PlayStation 5. This means that you’re more likely to face lag and latency issues with a third-party external storage.
Better UI
The user interface of the PlayStation 5 is a considerable improvement over the PlayStation 4 user interface. However, even something that’s termed as “next generation” can have a few flaws. This seems to be the case with the PlayStation 5’s user interface. There are multiple issues with the user interface, starting most notably with the PlayStation Store. Navigating through the Store can be a chore, especially if there are ongoing sales and you want to find the best value for money buy. Moreover, if you want to organise a playing party with your friends, putting everything into place takes far longer than expected. Finally, even finding the Power Off button takes far longer than expected. These may be minor issues, but they can be challenging to manage in the long run.
We’re not quite sure if the PlayStation 5 Pro or PlayStation 5 Slim will have a better user interface. However, if Sony decides to continue with this interface until 2026 or 2027, the next update needs to be a major one for the user interface, and overall user experience.
Bluetooth Audio Support
The PlayStation 5 is one of the latest consoles that money can buy. It’s got all the bells and whistles in terms of hardware and software. However, it seems like Sony forgot to make some quality-of-life improvements to the console. Even in the year 2022, if you want to use the Sony-branded headphones for gaming, you’ll have to use a USB dongle. Basically, you’ll have to plug the dongle into the PlayStation 5 console to use the headset. Not only is it quite jarring to the eyes, but it also seems like an imperfect design philosophy. Considering how expensive the console is, Sony should have included Bluetooth audio support built into the console itself. In any case, the PlayStation 6 should have this Bluetooth capability when it releases!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below, you’ll find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the PlayStation 6. These will clear any doubts you have about Sony’s future console!
What will the PS6 be like?
The PlayStation 6 (PS6) should include plenty of upgrades over the PlayStation 5. This includes modular upgrades, better hardware, software, and a slimmer frame. While nothing has been confirmed yet, you can be sure that it’ll feature state-of-the-art components for the best gameplay.
Will there be a PS6 in 2027?
PlayStation consoles were initially released after every nine to ten years. However, with the advancement of technology, the development cycle for every subsequent PlayStation console decreased to six or seven years. The PlayStation 4 was released in 2013, and the PlayStation 5 was released in 2020. So, you can expect the PlayStation 6 to be released anytime between 2026 and 2027.
Is a PS5 Pro coming?
When the PlayStation 4 was released in 2014, it was followed by the release of the PlayStation 4 Pro in 2016. Although a PlayStation 5 Pro hasn’t been confirmed explicitly by Sony, you can expect a PS5 Pro in 2023. Since the PlayStation 5 was launched in 2020, it seems all the more likely.
Summing up
A PlayStation console is one of the best mediums for gaming and entertainment. With such a large number of PlayStation exclusives in Sony’s library, a PlayStation is nearly unbeatable in the gaming world. However, the PlayStation 5 is already almost three years old. As it nears almost half the usual life cycle, the talk of a PlayStation 6 is rife. Of course, we’ll keep covering more in this space as information about Sony’s new console is released. So, for more information regarding the PS6 release date, keep an eye here as we cover all things PlayStation and gaming!
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