Sony’s next-gen hardware is still years away, but the rumor mill is already in full swing. As the PS5 approaches the midpoint of its lifecycle, whispers about its successor—dubbed PS6—are growing louder. While Sony hasn’t confirmed anything, leaks from industry insiders and tech experts have provided fertile ground for speculation. One particularly intriguing claim: the PS6 could ship with a hefty 24GB of RAM—a 50 percent boost over the PS5’s 16GB.

Digital Foundry, the go-to authority for in-depth hardware analysis, dropped the hint during the latest DF Direct Weekly episode. When asked about memory configurations for future consoles, Alexander Battaglia floated 24GB as a plausible target for Sony’s next box. His reasoning: the PS5 architecture already squeezes strong performance out of 16GB, so that extra memory could be earmarked for advanced on-device machine learning and next-level ray tracing without sending production costs into orbit. For fans of their deep-dive videos, the full discussion is up on YouTube—search “DF Direct Weekly” to get the unfiltered take.

Why is the jump from 16GB to 24GB more significant than it sounds? First, modern game engines increasingly leverage AI-driven upscaling and scene generation, tasks that flood memory buffers far beyond traditional geometry and texture needs. Second, real-time ray tracing—once the exclusive realm of high-end PCs—demands more headroom to store and process complex light maps. Digital Foundry’s experts argue that, while 32GB might be the ideal “future‑proof” goal, the steep cost of DRAM chips makes 24GB a smart compromise: enough for cutting-edge features, yet still within a price band that won’t scare off mainstream buyers.

This memory bump would also dovetail neatly with rumors of a new PlayStation handheld. Several leaks suggest Sony is working on a portable that could run PS5 titles natively, and that device is said to pack 16GB of RAM. Aligning the home console to 24GB would streamline cross‑platform development—an approach that’s become standard in today’s multi‑device game ecosystems.

Of course, RAM is only part of the story. Another rumor making the rounds involves AMD’s alleged “Magnus” APU—a Zen 6‑based chip leaked earlier this summer. While some believe the Magnus APU could power next Xbox hardware, sources indicate it may be too large and expensive for Sony’s comparatively sleeker design ethos. Instead, PS6 could leverage a custom APU tuned for power efficiency and die‑size considerations, paired with that 24GB memory pool to balance performance and cost.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s next Xbox strategy appears to be diverging. Insider chatter points to an upper‑tier device loaded with the Magnus APU and 36GB of GDDR7 RAM—potentially pitched as a “PC‑in‑a‑box” for enthusiasts. At that scale, expect a premium price tag north of $1,500. Even the mid‑range series models, though, could breach the $1,000 mark, thanks to multi‑storefront DRM features and high‑end silicon costs.

So, what does this all mean for you—the everyday gamer? If Sony indeed opts for 24GB of RAM, you can look forward to richer graphics, smoother frame rates in ray‑traced scenes, and AI‑enhanced visuals without necessarily paying through the nose. But it’s important to temper expectations: these details are still speculative, and Sony usually reveals hardware specifics just a year or so before launch. Given the PS5 arrived in late 2020, a 2027 debut for PS6 lines up with Sony’s five‑to‑seven‑year cadence, but until an official announcement lands, every figure should be taken with a grain of salt.