Exactly how much new hardware is Sony planning next year? (pic: Sony)

Sony has refused to deny rumours of a new model of PS5 console but rather than a PS5 Slim they seem to be hinting at a PS5 Pro.

Rumours of a new model of PlayStation 5 console, that’s smaller, lighter, and comes with a detachable disc drive, have been circulating for a while now, with the most recent suggestion being that test kits are already in the hands of some developers.

The new model is only thought to be a cosmetic difference, with no change to the internal hardware, but there’s never been any indication from Sony that it’s actually real.

There still isn’t, but when asked to comment on the fact that the PS4 Pro released in the third year of the PlayStation 4’s life, the response from Sony platform experience senior vice president Hidekaki Nishino was not what you would expect.

‘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,’ he said.

‘I won’t be able to talk about specifics at this time, but I hope that you will look forward to next year.’

There haven’t been any serious rumours about the PS5 Pro yet, so for him to not immediately issue a ‘no comment’ is surprising, although he didn’t offer any other details when speaking to Famitsu.

If it hadn’t been for the pandemic, and the subsequent stock shortages, a PS5 Pro in the console’s third year (i.e. 2023) would be perfectly believable but until now it’s seemed less likely, especially given the current cost of living crisis.

However, the launch of the PlayStation VR2 in February shows Sony has no qualms about releasing new, even more expensive, hardware, so in that sense a PS5 Pro in 2023 is perfectly believable.

As for the rumoured slimline model, the detachable disc drive is thought to be a cost cutting measure that will mean Sony only has to make one model of console and then choose to bundle it either with or without the disc drive – rather than having a separate model like the current Digital Edition.

Being detachable will also make it easier to upgrade the drive, for one with more storage, but there’s no indication from the rumours of whether the console itself will look physically different.

The existing PlayStation 5 model has been widely criticised for being too big and too ugly, although the former is a result of the massive internal fans needed to cool the console and prevent it from being as noisy as the PlayStation 4.

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Sony has refused to deny rumours of a new model of PS5 console but rather than a PS5 Slim they seem to be hinting at a PS5 Pro.