PS6 Chip Has Been Taped Out, Boasting 3 Black Technologies of PSSR, Explosive Ray Tracing Performance
As 2026 progresses, rumors about Sony's next-generation flagship console, the PlayStation 6, are becoming increasingly clear. According to TCMF2 and multiple reports, the first core chip (APU) of the PS6 completed initial tape-out in January 2026. Following Sony's usual hardware development pattern, it typically takes about two years of optimization and mass production from the initial test chip tape-out to the final retail product launch.
Currently, the industry generally expects the PS6 to officially launch globally during the 2027 Christmas holiday season (around November).
It is reported that this custom chip, based on the AMD Zen 6 architecture CPU and RDNA 5 architecture GPU, is codenamed "Orion" and aims to achieve a qualitative leap in performance compared to the PS5.
The PS6 will no longer simply pursue the stacking of raw computing power, but will shift its focus to AI-driven visual technologies:
PSSR 3.0: As an evolved version of PS5 Pro technology, PSSR 3 will deeply integrate machine learning (ML), achieving a more stable 4K/120Hz experience through AI frame generation and super-resolution technology without sacrificing performance.
Path Tracing: If the PS5 ushered in the era of ray tracing, then the PS6's goal is "path tracing." Benefiting from the enhanced RDNA 5 architecture, its ray tracing performance is expected to reach 6 to 12 times that of the PS5.
On the other hand, news confirms that the PS6 will perfectly run all digital and disc-based games for both PS4 and PS5. This not only protects players' digital assets but also means that the PS6 will have a massive launch lineup of thousands of games on its release day.
Although the PS5 Pro has just demonstrated the charm of AI through PSSR technology, the real "performance monster" is obviously yet to come.
If the 2027 launch plan is true, we may see more official signals released by Sony from the second half of 2026 to early 2027.
Do you think the PS6 can truly achieve the ultimate dream of "full-screen 4K + full path tracing + 60 frames" with the help of AI frame generation technology? Facing the potentially increased launch price, what is your ideal price in your mind?