S&P Global Forecasts Project Helix and PS6 Sales Figures

By Mohammad Rauf, Senior Writer Published Jul 14, 2026, 2:29 PM UTC 2 min read

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S&P Global Forecasts Project Helix and PS6 Sales Figures

S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan has released a new report detailing projected sales for the upcoming Xbox Project Helix and the PlayStation 6. While acknowledging that it is early to offer fully accurate predictions, the firm’s analysis provides a snapshot of the industry as of July 2026.

Quick Facts

Project Helix: Forecasted to reach 2 million units in its launch year, scaling to 7.3 million by 2030.
PlayStation 6: Expected to launch in 2028 with 4 million units sold in the first year, reaching 17.2 million by 2030.
Market Context: Total console shipments are expected to decline by 19.5% in 2026 due to rising prices linked to the ongoing component crisis.

Project Helix Sales Projections

The report suggests that Project Helix faces a unique challenge, noting that its support for both console and PC games may lead to a higher price point. Consequently, the firm anticipates the console could attract a more "narrow, enthusiast-oriented audience."

However, the firm emphasizes that these figures are highly contingent on future decisions. "The actual outcome could look very different," the report states. "A fully open PC platform with Xbox branding would not really resemble a console and likely not be counted in this model." Analysts are currently splitting the difference between a traditional console successor and an Xbox-certified program for PC OEMs.

PS6 and Industry Outlook

The forecast models a 2028 release for the PlayStation 6, with the firm expecting the console to reach 17.2 million units sold by 2030. These projections rely on the critical assumption that the current component crisis will ease sufficiently by 2028, allowing both Sony and Microsoft to bring hardware to market at price points ranging from $600 to $800.

Current hardware is also seeing a shift in the forecast. The report indicates that Xbox Series X and Series S sales are expected to hit 2.5 million units in 2026 before seeing a rapid decline. Meanwhile, PlayStation 5 sales are projected to drop to approximately 13.2 million for the year as the industry navigates the impact of component pricing on consumer demand.