Games

PS5 Lifespan Expected to Be Similar to PS4

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2025

Christoph Rediske

Summary

Table of Contents

The PS5 lifecycle is expected to be similar to the PS4’s, indicating it will be around even when the next system is out.
Gamers eagerly anticipate the next PlayStation while the PS5 proves its potential with new games.
It is possible the PS6 may be released in 2027 or 2028, if the PS5’s lifespan does end up mirroring previous patterns.

Hideaki Nishino says that the PlayStation 5 will have a similar lifecycle to the PS4, noting that even when the next system is out, the PS5 will still be around. Gamers are already looking forward to seeing the next PlayStation system. However, the PS5 appears to just be hitting its stride as a new array of games set for release in the coming years may soon prove that audiences have barely seen what the system is capable of yet.

It’s likely that the next PlayStation system is a long way off from hitting the market, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from starting up. The arrival of the PlayStation 5 Pro has catalyzed the discussion surrounding the PS5’s lifecycle and the presence of its follow-up, with many wondering what particular advancement the PS6 will offer. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino wants to remind gamers that even with the new system on the way, the PS5 isn’t going anywhere.

All PS6 Rumors So Far

Rumors about the PS6 have only increased in frequency following the unveiling of the PS5 Pro, with many detailing its price, models, and features.

A translation of a Famitsu article by MP1st reveals that Nishino believes the PlayStation 5’s lifecycle will match the PS4 and that it won’t get in the way of the next PlayStation system’s release. During an interview with Famitsu about PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, Nishino was asked about the future of the PlayStation brand. He noted that like the PS4, the system will last long, but he believes hardware shouldn’t be delayed if new technology is available.

PlayStation Boss Says PS5 Will Stick Around For a While

Nishino expanded on this concept, noting that the timeframe for new hardware releases traditionally falls in line with the latest technology advancements and that even while more advanced systems are introduced, there’s still a place for older products. He added that even today, there are many PS4 games being played while the amount of content for the PS5 increases. This implies that when the next PlayStation system comes out, the PS5 will stick around, receiving plenty of support while the PS6 pushes the boundaries of what these consoles can achieve.

While Nishino didn’t exactly telegraph what the release schedule of the PlayStation 6 is, it’s possible to infer that the next console could be released as early as 2027, matching the gap between the PS4 and PS5. It becomes a bit trickier to predict the next system’s arrival when factoring in the Pro consoles. The PS4 Pro was released in 2016, four years before the PS5, but the PS5 Pro came out in 2024. This could signal that the PS6 is better geared for a 2028 release date, but based on Nishino’s phrasing, when the improvements in hardware justify the next console’s presence, that’s when gamers will see it.

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PlayStation 5

Sony’s PlayStation 5 is part of the ninth console generation and debuted with a launch lineup that included Demon’s Souls and Astro’s Playroom. The console comes with a Blu-ray disc, although a digital-only edition is also available for a cheaper price.