Why a PS5 Pro is unlikely in 2023
Not quite yet
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
I’m seeing more and more rumors circulating around a potential PS5 Pro console release in 2023. However, given that we’re only two years removed from the first iteration of the console, we’re unlikely to see the console upgrade debut for a little while yet.
While I’m confident in stating that a PS5 Pro isn’t on the cards for 2023, that doesn’t we won’t see a new PlayStation model in the next 12 months. ThePS5 Slimseems far more possible than an outright upgraded model. APS5 Pro, which offers more powerful hardware than the base console would require new hardware to make work rather than the comparatively simpler job of shrinking the components of a three-year-old console.
The PS5 was first released in November 2020 and sold over 25 million units despitePS5 restocksbeing hit-and-miss over the past two years. The system remains incredibly popular for its exclusivePS5 gamesand capable hardware. Simply put, titles look and run great on the system in the vast majority of instances, with software built for the system largely seamless with the PC andXbox Series Xversions, too.
While thePS5launched back in November 2020 and a hardware upgrade is likely on the cards, we can’t look to previous console generations as a good indicator of whenSonywill release the PS5 Pro. Although the gap between thePS4and thePS4 Prowas around three years, the main difference between those consoles was resolution-based. That’s because the former system was locked at 1080p, whereas the Pro could output 4K with HDR compatibility.
Back to the future
In 2016, when the PS4 Pro was released,WitsViewpredicted nearly a quarter of new TVs sold were4K. With the PS5’s release still four years away, it made sense for Sony to release an upgraded version of its console that would appeal to 4K TV owners looking to make the best use of their new screens. While8KTVs are already available and their market share is growing, it’s still a comparatively small group of people for Sony to aim for. A report published byOmdiain April predicts that just 2.7 million people would own an 8K TV by the end of 2026.
While a PS5 Pro could use more horsepower to achieve native 4K and better framerates there is less of a tangible need for an upgraded model until the 8K TV market grows, especially when Sony is still struggling to meet the current demand for the standard PS5.
However, looking at the tech that’s in the PS5 and the way the market is going, we can predict what will be in a future PS5 Pro.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
What could the PS5 Pro hardware look like?
The current hardware inside the PS5 is a custom AMD Zen 2 SoC CPU with an AMD RDNA 2 ‘Oberon’ GPU which utilizes 16GB GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit memory bus clocked at 2233 MHz The next step for a technological evolution would be for Sony to use the AMD Zen 4 processor and an AMD RDNA 3 GPU in tandem, as both these components released at the tail-end of 2022. But to use such recent tech would be a costly upgrade.
That’s why a PS5 Slim is a much more likely hardware revision. Sony would be taking the existing RDNA 2 Oberon GPU and theAMDZen 2 CPU, which are coming up on being more than three years old at this point, making them much cheaper components than they were back in 2020. It would now be easier for Sony and AMD’s engineering teams to produce the components on a smaller scale, allowing for a smaller chassis. We’ve previously reported on the possibility of aremovable disc drive for PS5recently, and this kind of form factor would bridge the gap ofPS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition.
Removing the UHD disc drive, and shrinking the size of the motherboard, to fit smaller components would make for a considerably sleeker PS5 with no power loss. Plus if it’s compatible with aPS5 Digital Edition, a removable disc drive would mean owners could buy physical games. Sony released thePS4 Slimthree years after the original console at a reduced price tag and with the same sized 500GB hard drive. And, while there may not be a market for an 8K capable PS5, a smaller, cheaper PS5 is a different story.
That would be consistent with Sony’s hardware history, too. We saw this with the PS3 – Sony released the original model in 2006, and the PS3 Slim in 2009. As well as the redesigned chassis, this new version of the console was much cheaper than the original, with a price tag starting at $299 / £249 for the 120GB model (it wasn’t available in Australia). It effectively replaced the previous full-fat PS3 consoles on the market which ranged from $499 / £425 / AU$829 to $599 for the 20GB and 60GB SKUs. The UK and Australia did not receive the 60GB version, instead, a 40GB model was available in October 2007 for £299 / AU$699.99.
While there may be more of a market for a PS5 Pro in the future, especially as more advanced television technology becomes more available, a PS5 Slim is much more likely to arrive first. That’s not to say I don’t want to see what a PS5 Pro would bring to the table, but looking at Sony’s hardware history, I wouldn’t pin my hopes on it coming soon.
Aleksha McLoughlin is an experienced hardware writer. She was previously the Hardware Editor for TechRadar Gaming until September 2023. During this time, she looked after buying guides and wrote hardware reviews, news, and features. She has also contributed hardware content to the likes of PC Gamer, Trusted Reviews, Dexerto, Expert Reviews, and Android Central. When she isn’t working, you’ll often find her in mosh pits at metal gigs and festivals or listening to whatever new black and death metal has debuted that week.
I reviewed the PS5 Pro and recommend these 7 enhanced games to try first
Lords of the Fallen is the latest game to get confirmed PS5 Pro enhancements and support
Belkin’s Travel Bag for Vision Pro has pockets and is way cheaper than Apple’s own case
