Sony is preparing for a slower year for PlayStation 5 hardware, and the reason is very 2026: generative AI is eating up memory supply.
In its latest financial results, Sony said it expects PS5 unit sales to decline across the April 2026 to 2027 fiscal period. The company’s explanation is pretty direct — PS5 hardware planning will depend on how much memory Sony can secure at prices it considers reasonable, while hardware profitability is expected to stay roughly in line with the previous fiscal year.
In plain gamer language: Sony may not want to push as many PS5 units if the parts are getting too expensive.
Why AI is suddenly your console problem
The annoying part is that this is not really about PlayStation demand alone. Memory has become a major battleground because generative AI companies need huge amounts of high-performance components for data centres and AI hardware. That demand is now squeezing other industries, including gaming devices.
This is why the story matters even if you are not planning to buy a PS5 tomorrow. When memory supply gets tight, console makers, handheld makers, and PC hardware brands either absorb the cost, raise prices, ship fewer units, or delay products. Usually, consumers end up feeling at least one of those hits.
We have already seen similar pressure elsewhere. Valve has pointed to AI-related supply issues affecting Steam Deck availability, and Steam Machines have also been delayed for similar reasons. Reports have also suggested Sony has considered the possibility of higher PS6 pricing, while Nintendo has announced a US price increase for the Switch 2.
Even outside gaming, Apple expects supply constraints to continue for a while, and new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has suggested memory pricing could influence next-gen console pricing and availability.
So yes, this is bigger than just one PlayStation slide.
What this means for Malaysia and SEA gamers
For Malaysian players, the impact could be especially painful because console pricing here already sits in that “need to think twice” zone. We are not just paying the base hardware price — local availability, retailer stock, currency movement, shipping, and bundles can all affect what we actually see on shelves or online marketplaces.
If Sony ships fewer PS5 units globally, SEA markets may not always be first in line for the best stock flow. That could mean fewer deals, less aggressive bundles, or retailers holding prices longer instead of cutting them. For students, new workers, or anyone still deciding between PS5, PC, Switch 2, or a handheld, this makes timing more important.
The smart move? Don’t panic-buy, but don’t assume console prices will automatically drop either. If you see a legit Malaysia set at a fair price with warranty and games you actually want, it may be worth considering. But if the bundle is stuffed with accessories you don’t need, jangan kena upsell lah.
At least the games side looks better
There is one decent silver lining. On the same financial slide, Sony expects first-party game sales to increase during the fiscal year. That means while PS5 hardware may face supply and cost pressure, Sony still expects its own game lineup to pull stronger numbers.
For existing PS5 owners, that is the better part of the news. You may not love hearing that hardware is getting tangled up in the AI memory war, but at least the console should have more first-party software momentum ahead.
Still, this is a reminder that gaming hardware is now deeply connected to bigger tech industry fights. AI demand is no longer some abstract Silicon Valley thing — it can affect whether your next console is available, whether the price drops, and how painful the upgrade path feels in Malaysia.
Source: Eurogamer