Sony’s announcement that it will stop manufacturing physical PlayStation games starting January 2028 is widely interpreted as signaling that its next console, the PS6, will be all-digital. Multiple outlets say the timing of the policy change would be difficult to reconcile with a PS6 model that supports discs, because Sony would not be expected to continue producing physical media for a new system only to halt manufacturing shortly afterward.
In this context, analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere is cited as suggesting the PS6’s release is more likely toward the end of 2028. The analysis connects Sony’s shift away from physical manufacturing with broader planning considerations for the next-gen hardware launch.
Both reports also highlight unresolved issues around what an all-digital PS6 could mean for consumers, particularly regarding backwards compatibility with existing PlayStation titles and libraries. While the announcements strengthen expectations about the PS6’s format, the sources note that Sony has not fully detailed how legacy ownership and access to older games will be handled.
