New details have been leaked regarding the next iteration of the PlayStation 5, which could replace existing SKUs later this year. Rumors of a potentially large upcoming PS5 change have been swirling for some time. New leaks on the subject say that the console could be arriving sooner than expected. The updated PS5 won't be a PS5 Pro or a more powerful machine, however, but it does have some key differences that potential PS5 buyers will want to know about.The PlayStation 5 is currently available in two different models, the standard PS5 hardware and the Digital Edition PS5. The Digital Edition of the PS5 doesn't feature a disc drive. Between these two models, there are also three chassis often referred to as A, B, and C chassis(CFI-1000, 1100, and 1200) with altered heatsinks, fans, and even a new motherboard for the latest iteration. Basically, Sony has continuously improved the PS5's design year by year.In September 2022, a report from Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson claimed that the PS5 will see yet another upgrade in 2023 with what's referred to as the D chassis. This version of the PS5 is described as having "almost identical hardware" to current PS5s but with one specific notable change. This new PS5 won't have disc-based and digital models, instead offering a single model that will optionally include a detachable and portable disc drive that connects via a new USB-C port on the back of the console.
The latest update from Henderson also claims that prototypes of the new PS5 are already in the hands of developers at Sony. It isn't going out to game developers, however, as there are no hardware changes that they'd need to run tests on. Games currently in development will run exactly the same on the new PS5 as they do on the current versions of the console.
As for when this new PS5 will become available, the report indicates that Sony anticipates producing 18.5 million units in FY 2023 next to 12 million units of the other versions of the PS5. In other words, Sony will begin rapidly phasing out the older PS5s in favor of the new D-chassis console. Keep in mind Sony has only shipped around 22 million PS5s so far, which makes it clear the new version of the console is going to get a major push going forward.
The tentative release window for the new PS5 is "around September 2023," according to Insider Gaming's sources. Again, the new platform's hardware is said to be all but identical to current PS5 models outside a detachable disc drive. There's no reason to necessarily wait, barring an interest in potential aesthetic changes to the PS5.
PlayStation 5 is available now.
