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Reading Time: 2 minutesFans have long speculated Sony will be manufacturing a PlayStation 5 Pro console in the future. Now, new import records have once again stirred up the rumor mill. These records indicate Sony is shipping thousands of packages to the United States from around the world, with shipment descriptions mentioning both “Development Kits” and “Video Game Console Prototype.”
Sony hasn’t formally announced a PlayStation 5 Pro, but the latest import records have fans excited. The PlayStation family of consoles are known to go through periodic revisions during their lifecycle. Both the PS3 and PS4 received upgrades about three years after their initial launch. With PS5 first arriving in 2020, we’re getting very close to the time that Sony likes to churn out a new model.
Further fueling speculation is the shipping code found in the import records (HS code of 981700), which the original report claims is often used to identify video-game-related products. Put it all together, and it looks like Sony is sending PS5 dev kits to studios in the United States.
Did Sony Really Ship PlayStation 5 Pro Dev Kits?
As much as fans want to see a PlayStation 5 Pro, it’s difficult to say with certainty whether this is the real deal. These could be PS5 Pro dev kits, but it’s just as likely they’re kits for the upcoming PSVR2. There’s also the chance these are simply leftover dev kits from the original PS5.
Then there’s the ongoing semiconductor shortage, which is having an impact on the supply chain for everything from cars to gaming consoles. Sony may have upgraded consoles every three years in the past, but things might be delayed in today’s economic climate.
On the other hand, the reveal PSVR2 could indicate that a PlayStation 5 Pro console is on the way. The PS4 Pro and original PSVR headset launched within months of each other. The headset arrived in October 2016 and the PS4 Pro in November 2016. Old patterns don’t necessarily mean the same thing will happen for this console generation, but it’s definitely an interesting coincidence.
Best case scenario? Sony announces a release date for PlayStation 5 Pro that coincides with the new PSVR2 headset – along with a revamped PS Now subscription that directly competes with Xbox Game Pass. Those announcements are probably far into the future, but there’s no doubt Sony has some big plans for the next few years.
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Jon Bitner
Jon is a freelance writer who primarily focuses on topics related to video games, science, medicine and technology. Before starting his career as a writer he worked in the Biotechnology industry. He has a degree in Biology, and when he isn't writing he can usually be found traveling, playing video games or hunting down the latest deals.