PS5’s New Model is Not a PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim

It’s hard to believe that we’re in the third year of the PlayStation 5’s life cycle. First available in November 2020, Sony’s console has been fairly dominant, with over 30 million units sold worldwide. However, there have been rumors of a PS5 Pro, particularly from Rockstar insider Tez2, who reported that developers already have dev kits.

Insider Tom Henderson, who reported on the upcoming PS5 model with a detachable disc drive, discussed this on Twitter. “On all the PS5 Pro/Slim rumors – I don’t think it’s a pro or slim. My understanding is that it’s just ‘gen 2’ of the regular PS5. The normal PS5 will cease production at the end of this year, and the new model will start in April and begin selling in September.” This falls in line with Insider Gaming’s previous report of the same.

An announcement this Summer is possible. It’s been a while since Sony has held a PlayStation Showcase, and it usually has a State of Play in June for upcoming major releases.

He added, “Sony wouldn’t cease production of the ‘gen 1’ PS5 if they had different consoles in production for different price points/specs. The new PS5 will reduce costs in production and shipping because they can produce just one console; with a detachable disc drive.”

Henderson previously revealed that the new PS5 wouldn’t have any “major hardware changes” outside the detachable disc drive. The latter won’t be compatible with the PS5 Digital Edition. It will be sold in a bundle with the new PS5, though. Regardless, a Pro or Slim version of the PS5 doesn’t seem to be on the cards just yet.

On all the PS5 Pro/Slim rumors – I don't think it's a pro or slim, My understanding is that it's just "gen 2" of the regular PS5.

The normal PS5 will cease production at the end of this year and the new model will start in April and begin selling in September.

— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) January 23, 2023

Sony wouldn't cease production of the "gen 1" PS5 if they had different consoles in production for different price points/specs.

The new PS5 will reduce costs in production and shipping because they can produce just one console; with a detachable disc drive.

— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) January 23, 2023