Sony PlayStation executive teases new PS5 model set for 2023

Sony could release a new PlayStation 5 model in 2023, but it may not be a PS5 Pro with improved performance and power.

3

In a recent interview with Japanese gaming site Famitsu, Sony Interactive Entertainment Vice President Hideaki Nishino may have teased a new PS5 model that could be announced and/or released in 2023.

Famitsu mentioned that the PS5 was entering its third year, and that the PS4 Pro released in the PS4's third year--would a new revamped PS5 come in 2023 to continue this mid-cycle trend? Nishino responded by Sony's current plans and thoughts about next year:

• Read more: PS5 Pro design indicative of Sony's hardware production efficiencies and profit maximization
• Read more: Sony can't expect PS5 Pro to sell like the PS4 Pro

"We believe that cumulative sales will exceed 37 million units by the end of fiscal 2022, and that it will be a very important time for the platform as well. I won't be able to talk about specifics at this time, but I hope that you will look forward to next year (2023)."

So if it's not a PS5 Pro model, what could Nishino be referring to? The new PS5 model is likely the disc-less SKU that Sony is currently working on.

Reports indicate that all future PlayStation 5 consoles will be shipped without a disc drive. This means that all new PS5 consoles will effectively be the digital-only editions. Right now Sony sells two PS5 models: A disc version for $499 and a disc-less model for $399.

3

The new plan is to only make disc-less PlayStation 5 consoles to reduce manufacturing and shipping costs. Gamers will be able to buy a disc drive and attach it to the console if they'd like to play game or media discs.

Sony has been significantly trimming costs to ensure the PS5 remains profitable through a series of console revisions. To date, Sony has released three separate PS5 model types; the 2020 launch edition, a revised and lighter 2021 edition, and the newer 2022 models that are far lighter and also utilize a more production-efficient 6nm chip.

2023 may introduce the fourth PS5 console iteration, and is expected to be the most dramatic console revision to date.

Required reading:

• New PlayStation 5 model goes modular with detachable disc drive
• PlayStation 5 digital edition has firmware that blocks disc drives
• Sony's new lighter PS5 uses 6nm APU 'Oberon Plus'
• New PS5 disc model: 1.3 lbs lighter, weighs same as launch digital PS5
• PlayStation 5 sales hit 21.7 million, to break 37 million this year