April 2, 2026, 5:12 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
The PS6 is still a thing of the future, and the launch of the next console generation is, according to rumors, at least two to three years away. Yet, new rumors are already circulating that are catching attention. It is now even said that the PlayStation 6 could be released without an optical drive.
PlayStation 6 Without Drive Possible at Launch
Just in September 2025, we reported that Sony still plans to include a drive for the PlayStation 6. They intend to adopt the modular principle of the PS5 Slim and offer fans various options, including a removable or retrofittable drive.
However, in the forum Neogaf, the well-known leaker KeplerL2 has now revealed related news. According to the current status, the PlayStation 6 would be on its way without a drive and with a 1 TB SSD. These are the “most obvious areas for cost reduction.”
The storage capacity remaining roughly the same could work if the upcoming developer kits support “neural texture compression.” This would allow textures to be packed into smaller data packets.
News on the Price of the PS6
The leaker also commented on the price. Currently, Sony’s costs for materials and building a single PlayStation 6 are estimated at $760, which could be reduced to $699 for consumers. Accordingly, it could also cost 699 euros in Germany.
At launch, Sony charged 400 euros for the digital version of the PS5 and 500 euros for the version with a drive. If the rumor proves true, it would be a significant price jump. However, the PS5 is also getting more expensive, as Sony has now officially announced. It remains to be seen whether the manufacturer will really stick to the claimed plans.