Sony's announcement that it will cease physical disc releases for PlayStation games from January 2028 has provided the strongest indication yet of the PlayStation 6's launch timeline. According to Ampere analyst Piers Harding-Rolls, the console is now 'almost certainly' arriving in late 2028 and will likely lack a disc drive.
Analyst Predicts 2028 Launch
Harding-Rolls stated in a blog post: 'First, we believe this almost certainly guarantees that the PlayStation 6 won’t arrive until 2028 at the earliest. Ampere’s current expectation is that the console will launch at the end of 2028.' This prediction is based on the timing of Sony's shift to all-digital game sales.
While Sony has not officially confirmed details about the PS5 successor, CEO comments have hinted at a possible handheld component. Prior speculation suggested a late 2027 launch, but the ongoing memory crisis and the digital announcement have pushed expectations to 2028 or later.
No Disc Drive Likely
Harding-Rolls believes the PS6 will 'at a minimum' not include a physical disc drive. 'Sony will be looking for all the ways it can reduce the cost of its next gen console, and this is an easy win,' he added. He suggested that an add-on disc drive could be offered for backward compatibility with PS4 and PS5 disc games.
The analyst also speculated that Sony might allow users to transfer physical media to digital licenses, though he called that possibility 'a bit too generous' given the company's direction.
Implications for Consumers
Even with a 2028 launch, the PS6 faces challenges. The PS5's full power has yet to be realized after six years, and the new console could cost around £1,000. An all-digital format means higher prices for new games and the loss of physical movie and TV playback, a key selling point since the PS2 era.
Sony has previously removed purchased movies from PlayStation digital libraries, raising concerns about digital ownership. Without a disc drive, buying movies digitally becomes the only option, potentially accelerating the decline of physical media in entertainment.
