First PlayStation 5 Pro reference units to land with Sony developers for specs testing soon

When the first rumors about an inevitable PlayStation 5 Pro console upgrade hit the tape, many were hesitant about renowned PS tipster Tom Henderson's claims. Now, however, they were able to snoop on the existence of a PlayStation 5 Pro in Sony's future plans once again, and even have a release timeline.

Apparently, the initial PlayStation 5 Pro reference devices will be going out to Sony's internal testers soon, while third-party developers at game studios should have access to the PS 5 Pro kits by the end of the year. The report reiterates a PlayStation 5 Pro release date in 2024, in time for the holiday shopping craze, and adds a "100% degree of certainty that the PlayStation 5 Pro is currently in development."

Sony currently has a lot on its plate when it comes to the PS 5 franchise, as it is expected to release a redesigned version with detachable disk drive this fall. This PlayStation 5 Slim edition of sorts will not only be a base to which one can attach a disk drive at will, instead of choosing between the Digital and Disk options like now, but will actually become the future PS 5 console design within a year.

Apart from the PS5 Slim, Sony may also be prepping a Q Lite handheld device for accessing Remote Play on the PS5. It should come in the form of a DualSense controller with a big screen of sorts, and feature adaptive 1080p@60FPS streaming. The Q Lite handheld is also scheduled for an eventual Q4 release, so Sony will have its hands full with product development and testing this year.

Before the PlayStation 5 Pro arrives next year, Sony is also rumored to be releasing a new generation of audio devices. The true wireless buds allegedly carry the internal naming Project Nomad, while a new headset is being worked on under the auspices of Project Voyager. Both are slated for release early in 2024, before Sony's current fiscal year runs out.

As to the PlayStation 5 Pro price and specs, mum's the word just yet, though if the developer kits are going out this year, Sony is likely using existing AMD RDNA 3 GPU architecture which will be heavily customized to the PS5 Pro console realities. There were various rumors that the PlayStation 5 Pro will be powered by a tailor-made Radeon RX 7700 XT-class GPU that will be twice faster than the original PS5. Sony was also said to be mulling a DLSS technology of its own that will debut on the PS5 Pro, along with native 4K gaming at higher frame rates and the 8K output support that Sony has yet to unlock on the PS5. Even if only some of these rumors hold water in the end, there will be plenty to look forward to when it comes to the PlayStation 5 Pro mid-cycle upgrade.

Unless, of course, the tipster isn't basing their predictions on the PS4 timeline rather than some insider knowledge. After all, Sony had a PS4 Slim released before a PS5 Pro when the Slim version simply became the new PS4 design. If Sony follows that path with the PlayStation 5, too, it could also price the PS5 Pro US$100 higher than the PS5, just like it did with its predecessor.

Get the PlayStation 5 on Amazon