PS5 Pro Design, Launch Timeline Leaked; New Console Might Come Without Disc Drive

The ‘Pro' version of the PlayStation 5 has leaked. The PS5 Pro has been an open secret in the games industry for a while now and Sony is expected to announce the console before the end of this year. Previous reports and rumours had detailed the hardware upgrades the new console would likely get over the PS5. Now, the design of the PS5 Pro, along with Sony's plans for its reveal, have been leaked.

"PS5 Pro" Said to Be Official Name of Console 

The information comes from reliable leaker billbil-kun, who has a history of providing accurate information about unannounced games and console hardware. In a Dealabs report published Thursday, he shared information on the likely official name of the upcoming console, its design details and release timeline.

According to billbil-kun, Sony's upgraded PS5 will be called the “PS5 Pro” — no surprises there. The PlayStation parent followed a similar naming convention for the previous-generation console when it launched the PS4 Pro in September 2016, three years after the launch of the PS4.

PS5 Pro Design Details

The leaker also shared a sketch of the purported PS5 Pro, reportedly based on a visual of the front of the final packaging box of the new console. The report claimed the visual could not be shared for copyright reasons, but the illustration showed a console design similar to the PS5 Slim revealed last year. The faceplates of the PS5 Pro seem to feature three horizontal black stripes and the front of the console comes with two USB Type-C ports and the power button — same as the PS5. The upcoming console reportedly retains the trademark white colourway of the PlayStation 5. It also appears thicker than the PS5 slim.

Curiously, however, the PS5 Pro sketch is missing a disc drive and it's possible the illustration was based on the digital version of the console. The leaker could not confirm the existence of a disc drive version of the PS5 Pro, but said that it could be possible to attach an external disc drive to the console, just like the PS5 Slim. The report claimed that releasing the PS5 Pro without a disc drive could be a “commercial choice” for Sony to sell the new console at a competitive price. The report also said that the PS5 Pro would ship with the same DualSense controller that comes in the box with the PS5.

PS5 Pro illustration reportedly based on a visual of the packaging box of the console
Photo Credit: Dealabs

PS5 Pro Launch Timeline

Finally, the leaker shed some light on Sony's plans for the announcement of the console. Earlier this week, rumours of Sony gearing up to host a State of Play presentation by the end of September surfaced, with Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb suggesting the company might reveal the PS5 Pro at the showcase. According to billbil-kun, the PlayStation 5 Pro will be announced “very soon” — as soon as the first half of September 2024.

While details about the PS5 Pro have trickled in over the past year, Sony has not yet confirmed the existence of the console. PS5 sales have been slowing down and an upgraded refresh will likely provide a boost to the console in the latter half of its life cycle. In its recent earnings report for March-June quarter, Sony sold 2.4 million PS5 units, well below the three million-mark that analysts had expected.