PlayStation 5 Prices Hit Record High as AI Boom Strains Memory Supply

Sony's second PlayStation 5 price hike in eight months underscores a critical supply chain realignment: AI data centers now dominate memory chip demand, forcing manufacturers to compete for scarce semiconductors. This structural shift means consumer hardware—from gaming consoles to PCs—will face persistent price pressures through 2026 and beyond. The situation reflects how AI infrastructure has become the primary driver of component scarcity in the consumer tech market.