PS5 Pro Shortage Could Leave GTA 6 Fans Waiting Until 2027

The PlayStation 5 Pro is becoming harder to find, and the shortage could worsen as one of the year’s biggest games approaches. Strong demand, rising hardware costs and limited supplies are creating another headache for Sony. If you’re planning a console upgrade, expect a longer wait than usual. With the holiday shopping season approaching, when will supplies return to normal?

Shortages could last until 2027

Sony’s supply problems may continue beyond the upcoming holiday season. Back in September, gaming outlet PlayFront claimed to have obtained a memo sent to distribution partners warning that supply constraints and high demand could limit PS5 Pro availability until early 2027 at the earliest.

Retailers have reported dwindling stocks, while resellers are taking advantage of limited supplies. Some are charging hundreds of euros above the official retail price, making the console even more expensive. Despite these reports, Sony has not publicly confirmed the shortage timeline, leaving buyers uncertain about availability ahead of major entertainment releases.

AI demand drives prices

Behind the shortages lies another challenge affecting the technology sector. Growing demand for memory chips from AI data centres has put pressure on supplies available to consumer electronics manufacturers.

Manufacturers can earn higher margins supplying data centres, leaving fewer components for consumer devices. Industry reports indicate that DRAM contract prices have increased by more than 170% over the past year.

Rising costs have coincided with higher console prices. Following April’s increases, the standard PS5 costs €649.99, the Digital Edition €599.99 and the Pro €899.99 in Germany. This situation highlights how gaming industry innovations and expanding AI infrastructure compete for the same components.

GTA 6 increases pressure

Rockstar Games’ GTA 6 is scheduled for November 19, raising concerns about another surge in demand. Among the top upcoming video game releases, the title could encourage more players to purchase powerful hardware before launch.

However, game development complexity means the PS5 Pro might not deliver the performance improvements some buyers expect. Digital Foundry has questioned whether GTA 6 can achieve 60 fps, given its demanding simulations involving traffic, characters and environmental systems.

Enhanced ray tracing and sharper images could still offer visual improvements. Nevertheless, game development demands may prevent the Pro from delivering higher frame rates. A PS5 Pro upgrade is not required, as GTA 6 will launch on standard PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Japan introduces purchase restrictions

To manage demand, Sony has introduced purchasing requirements in Japan. Applicants must have a Japanese PlayStation account and at least 60 hours of recorded gameplay over the previous two years. Applications opened September 28, with lottery winners expected to receive notifications around October 26. Successful buyers must complete payment by November 2, with purchases limited to one console per account.

Beyond the current shortage, uncertainty surrounds Sony’s next-generation hardware plans. Reports suggest the PS6 could arrive in 2028 or 2029, although no official release date exists. Meanwhile, the gaming industry faces supply pressures as demand for premium gaming experiences threatens to grow.