Yeah it's a shitty time to be releasing a new console, and unfortunately for Sony, they've spent the last 20 years making incredible graphics a big part of their brand, so if they try to make a less powerful box to keep prices down they'll inevitably cop a lot of flak for it not being a big leap over PS5.

Heck, PS5 itself already got criticised online in some circles for not being as big a leap as prior gens, and that was before the tech market became a dumpster fire.

They've got their work cut out for them whichever route they take, so it will be interesting to see how they try to thread the needle.

Frankly I think right now they'd be better off doing a PS5 redesign that cuts costs.

A PS5 Super Slim based on RDNA4, but still targeting the same power level, would be cheaper to manufacture. It would use less watts and allow them to save money on the cooling too.

I think any high expectations for amazing generational jumps already died with this generation, so gamers won't really care anymore if PS6 or any other system is more of the same. Graphics expectations are low but that's not going to stop people from buying consoles to play new video games.

They will release at least two versions to appeal to as many gamers as possible. Still, I suspect sales will be quite slow until the 3rd or 4th year when "must have" exclusives start dropping. It's not a real issue so long as the existing playerbase are active on any Playstation system.

Nothing wrong with the current formula, it's completely logical and what most people want.
Just make tons of good games like they used to, everything else will fall in place.

What about launching the PS6 handheld asap as a PS5 handheld instead? Just push next gen off until 2030 ish, or further possibly.

While they're at it in this case, either heavily subsidize the PS5 handheld, or use the handheld internals and make a PS5 (Lite) Super Slim.

If the PS5 Lite can match the existing PS5 Slim performance visually, then just discontinue PS5 Slim and call the PS5 Lite the PS5 Super Slim.

That way you'd still only have 3 consumer SKU's like now. PS5 Super Slim being digital like Pro but with a disc drive add on option.

PS5 Super Slim could be a massive size reduction (like PS2 Slim was) and could be extremely affordable only being digital.

Maybe SNY could just use FSR5/6 to make a PSSR3 and update PS5 Pro to keep the gen going beyond 2030.

Dunno if I'd say this is the best option, but wouldn't be a terrible option based on the situation everyone's in as you said.