A mid-generation upgrade of a console is not a new idea. Sony and Microsoft have been releasing a newer version of their current console on the market halfway through its lifespan for several iterations now. Over the course of the past several days, leaks have surfaced regarding Sony’s plans to release a “Pro” version of the PlayStation 5. Although everything at this point is primarily speculation and rumors, here is everything we know about the PS5 Pro and Slim.
Leaks of Sony’s internally codenamed “Project Trinity” are speculated to be the PlayStation 5’s own “Pro” and “Slim” variants. It is unknown if these versions’ names will end up as “Pro” and “Slim.” At the moment, people are referring to them as such for clarity and to align with the distinctions of the PlayStation 4’s own “Pro” and “Slim” versions.
Just like with all rumors and leaks that make their rounds on the Internet, it is wise to take everything with a grain of salt.
Sony is apparently targeting both 4K and even 8K resolution console gaming with its PS5 Pro model, along with several other graphical, performance and stability improvements – such as ray tracing and frames per second (FPS). It is unknown how much the PS5 Pro could debut with, price-wise. In 2016, the PS4 Pro launched at US$399, the same price as the PS4 upon release in 2013. Considering that the base retail price of the PS5 hasn’t dropped over the past three years in the same way the PS4 did, it is unlikely that the same pricing on the two versions of the console will occur.
A “Slim” version – similar to the PlayStation 4’s own Slim iteration – could also be on the horizon and duly needed. According to the precedent set by the previous generation’s alternative, a Slim version will not be as physically bulky of a machine and will not have as large of a price tag attached to it, rendering it much more accessible to wallets everywhere. A US$399 price is floating around which is a discount from the original’s base cost of US$499, especially since both consoles’ quality should not differ that noticably. In fact, these rumors have speculated that improvements, primarily concerning the internal heating of the console, will be made between versions – complete with the smaller cost to boot.
Leaked information claims that Sony is aiming for a November 2024 release date for its PlayStation 5 Pro with the Slim version most likely preceding it.
Both Microsoft and Sony have been releasing alternate or upgraded versions throughout the lifespans of their consoles since the beginning. Upon the release of the PlayStation 2 in 2000, Sony also released the PS One – a smaller, redesigned version of the original PlayStation. Microsoft’s Xbox One had multiple alternate versions, including the Xbox One S and Xbox One X. Currently, the Xbox Series X and Series S have no plans for a “newer, better” version as, according to Xbox Chief Phil Spencer, the pair doesn’t need an updated model.
Judging by the numbers, a refreshed version of the PlayStation 5 appears much more justified as the console has sold nearly double the amount of units as opposed to the Xbox Series X|S in the same span of time – mirroring the sales of the PlayStation 4 against the Xbox One.
Though, a global pandemic and subsequent quarantine really hammered a dent in, well, everything. While the video games themselves seemed to flourish with everyone stuck at home, the consoles struggled. Market blocks and unshippable necessary parts kept all consoles – not just PlayStation – in a production limbo for over two years. Finally, nearly three years later, the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X|S are reliably found on shelves at most retailers.
Although Sony has not officially confirmed the consoles, why wouldn’t a “Pro” and “Slim” version of the PlayStation 5 arrive sooner rather than later? Though, it does feel rather sudden considering the original console hasn’t been around for even three years yet; on the other hand, the PlayStation 4 Slim and Pro both released in 2016 – three years after the PlayStation 4. Sony would really only be aligning with its own tradition.
Not to mention, COVID-19 really warped people’s senses of time. The PlayStation 5’s lifespan only began in 2020 while the console was almost non-existent in stores until very recently.
After the rocky storm Sony faced with releasing the PlayStation 5 amidst a global pandemic, a smooth sailing console release is what the company might need right now.
Featured Image Courtesy of PlayStation Universe.
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