It may not feel like it’s been that long since the PS5 launched, but the fact is that in just a few short years (probably, at any rate), the PlayStation 6 will be upon us.
Of course, since we’re still so far out from that console’s launch – and since rumours of the PS5 Pro still haven’t manifested themselves yet – we can’t even really speculate meaningfully about what the console will look or perform like.
We can, however, help you out with a guide on how to get yourself prepared for the PS6 when it does arrive, whatever the console ends up being.
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These tips should stand you in better stead when you decide to buy a PlayStation 6 (assuming that’s even the name Sony gives to it, of course), so without further ado, here’s how you can prepare for the PS6 launch!
Read up on the release date when it’s announced
It’s naturally going to be quite some time before Sony announces a release date for the PS6; after all, we’re still likely at least three years out from the console’s launch.
Still, when it does get announced, you can prepare for its launch by making sure you’re as clued up on its release date as possible so that you don’t accidentally miss your chance.
If you’re in any way switched on when it comes to gaming news, you’ll probably struggle to miss the release date anyway, as Sony is likely to mount a pretty big campaign to make sure everyone knows when they’ll be able to buy a PS6.
Just make sure that the PS6 release date, when it is eventually revealed, is marked in your calendar so that you know what other preparations you need to make.
Get in the queue early
If you were around for the launch of the PS5, you’ll likely remember that the console sold out incredibly quickly, and that stock remained low for a good year or two following its release.
We can’t know whether the PS6 will suffer similar issues, although it seems that global manufacturing issues have eased off with regards to tech, so a repeat of the PS5 situation seems unlikely.
However, you can head off any chance of missing your opportunity at the pass by getting into the PS6 queue early, whether that’s with a physical retailer near you or online.
Don’t leave it until the last minute; if you’re sure you want to buy a PS6 at launch, make sure you’ve signed up and you’re on the pre-order list as early as possible.
Make sure you’ve got space for it
The PS5 is a magnificent beast, but it’s also a pretty big console, so it takes up a significant amount of space on most TV tables and other surfaces.
If we were to point to one area where Sony will likely make improvements for the next console generation, it’d likely be size, but in the event that the PS6 is just as large as – or even larger than – the PS5, you should be prepared.
Make sure that you’ve cleared enough space in your setup for the PS6. Sony will almost certainly announce the dimensions of the console ahead of its release, so you’ll know how much space you’ll need closer to the time.
It’s a good idea to leave at least as much space as you’ve left for your PS5, and perhaps more if you can, because that way, you won’t be disappointed if the console turns out to be larger than you expected.
Don’t immediately sell your PS5
However excited you might be for the PS6, it’d be a mistake to sell your PS5 as soon as the console is announced, because you could still have a number of uses for it.
For instance, although the PS6 is highly likely to be backwards compatible with PS5 games (at least if the PS5 is any indication), there’s no absolute guarantee of that, so if you sell your PS5, you may find yourself high and dry.
Additionally, while the PS6 will almost certainly be an incredible piece of tech, early adopters can sometimes find themselves burned with regards to hardware and software teething troubles.
If that happens to you, then you’ll want your trusty PS5 to hand so that you can still enjoy your extensive library of PS5 games while you wait for your PS6 to be repaired. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that!
Wait and see what the launch titles are
You may already have made plans to pick up the PS6 at launch, but it might be a better idea to hold off and see what games the console will launch with.
After all, a console is nothing without its games, and if the PS6’s launch lineup does turn out to be a little lacklustre, then you might end up regretting buying the console so early.
The PS5’s launch lineup was extremely solid (largely thanks to the inclusion of Astro’s Playroom with every console), but the PS4’s arguably left a little to be desired, so the quality of a Sony console’s launch titles can vary.
If you do still want to pre-order the console regardless of its launch games, just try to secure a bundle that comes with a game you’re likely to want to play for a while, because more games don’t tend to start arriving for a good few months after a console’s launch.
Research the specs
Don’t worry; you’re not expected to know exactly what teraflops are, or the technical details of how an SSD improves loading times.
Still, reading up on a console’s technical specs can be a great way to prepare yourself for what to expect when you plug it in and switch it on for the first time.
It can be especially helpful for tempering expectations regarding the kind of performance you’re going to get, too; while consoles can be extremely powerful, they’re often not quite able to match the cutting-edge PC graphics cards of the time, so knowing how your PS6 is set up can be a good way to dodge disappointment.
