A new report indicates that Sony might be planning on releasing a new version of the PS5. According to a report by Tom Henderson on Insider Gaming, FY 2023 is set to see a revision of the PS5 with a new chassis.
Referred to internally as the D chassis PlayStation 5, the console will feature internal hardware that is more or less identical to the current line-up of PS5 consoles in the regular version and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.
What sets the new model apart, however, is that it will feature a detachable disc drive. The disc drive will connect to the console through an extra USB-C port on the back of the console. This essentially puts the new console in between the PS5 and the PS5 Digital Edition.
According to the report, the new version of the PS5 will be available on its own, as well as through a bundle including the detachable disc drive. The disc drive itself will also be available to purchase separately. The report also states that the disc drive will match the PS5’s aesthetic style, and since it is portable, it can also easily be hidden.
While Sony is yet to make any official statement on the matter, it is worth noting that a detachable disc drive will make the new model of the PS5 quite a bit slimmer than the original PS5. Assuming no other part of the hardware or design changes, we can expect this new model to look closer to a PS5 Digital Edition.
The report states that Sony is planning a big production run of the new version of the console, hoping to produce around 18.5 million units in FY 2023. The original models of the PS5 will slow down their production to 12 million units, ultimately being phased out in favour of the new model.