Sony says future PlayStation use will extend outside the living room
Sony told investors its next PlayStation platform will broaden where and how people play, while signaling it does not plan to sell hardware at steep losses.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
3 min read
Sony told investors that its next PlayStation platform is being built for play beyond the living room, a signal that the company is thinking about more flexible hardware and usage patterns for its next console cycle. The comments matter because Sony is weighing how to keep PlayStation distinct as some players shift toward PCs and portable gaming options.
In a recent investor Q&A, Sony said PlayStation has long been tied to living-room gaming, but that more players worldwide now use personal monitors. The company said it has been selling peripherals such as monitors and speakers to broaden how people use PlayStation products.
Sony said the next-generation platform is not meant to be a PC substitute. Instead, the company said it wants to offer value specific to PlayStation through technical improvements and wider ways to play, including a smoother experience outside the living room.
Portable play is already part of Sony’s strategy
Sony already offers several ways to use PlayStation away from a television. The PlayStation 5 supports Remote Play, and Sony sells the PlayStation Portal, a handheld device designed to stream games from a PS5.
Bloomberg reported in 2024 that Sony was working on a new handheld gaming console for PS5 games. Sony has not announced such a device, and it has not said whether its next-generation plans include a dedicated handheld system.
The Verge reported that Sony has also added a Power Saver mode to some PS5 games, a feature that could fit handheld-style play. Sony’s investor comments did not link that mode to any future device, but they add to signs that portable or semi-portable PlayStation use is under consideration.
Pricing remains a constraint
Sony also addressed hardware pricing in the investor Q&A. The company said hardware is the foundation for delivering its gaming experience and pointed to the PlayStation Portal as an example of offering products suited to different play styles outside the living room.
On pricing, Sony said it is not realistic for the company to absorb all increases in component costs. It said it has already raised some prices outside Japan, while sales are still proceeding as planned and customer demand has not declined in its view.
Sony said its general policy is that it does not intend to sell hardware at significant losses. The company also said it is watching the market and evaluating its approach, while trying to make sure customers understand the value of its products relative to their prices.
The comments come as high-end gaming hardware has become more expensive. The Verge has reported prices including $899.99 for the PS5 Pro, $1,049 for Valve’s Steam Machine and upcoming Xbox Series X pricing starting at $749.99.
No launch timing yet
Sony has not announced when it will release its next PlayStation hardware. The PS5 launched in 2020, and Sony has historically introduced a new console generation about every six or seven years.
If that past pattern held, a new system could arrive this year or next. The Verge has reported, however, that Sony has considered delaying its next console launch to 2028 or 2029 because of memory supply pressures described as “RAMaggedon.”
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.