Sounds Like The PS5 Pro Is Releasing At The Worst Possible Time

The PlayStation 5 is expected to get a mid-generation refresh with an upcoming PS5 Pro, but based on rumored release plans, it sounds like the hardware could be dropping at a terrible time. The PS5 has been a strong seller since its launch, with component shortages initially leading to a long period of supply issues that seemingly only served to increase the demand. More recently, a revised Slim model trimmed the size and unified the disc-based and digital versions of the console, making the disc drive a modular component that requires an initial online activation.

A PlayStation 5 Pro has been generally expected to come at some point ever since the system was introduced, as last generation's PS4 Pro helped boost sales of the system well after its initial launch. The Pro version wasn't enough of a hardware overhaul to warrant a new generation, but it made it possible to play many games at higher frame rates or resolutions. The basic dynamic between the PS5 and PS5 Pro should be more or less the same, although it should now be possible to push more games to intense targets like 4K 60FPS or 1080p 120 FPS.

As reported by, industry analysts expect that a PlayStation 5 Pro will release this year, partly thanks to a decreased projection for 2024 sales in Sony's latest financial report. reported on another key piece of information from the same document: Sony doesn't "." This doesn't necessarily mean that there won't be any exciting new game announcements, as Sony didn't exclude the possibility of new IPs or third-party offerings, but the lull in franchise entries could still be a disappointment for many.

This statement seems particularly problematic when considering the release of a PlayStation 5 Pro within that window, as that means that anyone looking to buy a Pro isn't likely to have a huge new exclusive to incentivize the purchase. It could still provide a graphical or performance boost to recent hits like , but that doesn't make a particularly strong case for an