In a nutshell: Reports out of Japan indicate that Sony has discontinued all but one PS4 model in its home country. At that place is no indication when it volition twilight the final-gen gaming panel in western regions. Notwithstanding, starting the current of air down in Nihon get-go is traditional with Sony.

Japanese gaming blog Game Scout reports that Sony Interactive Amusement appear that production has ended for about PlayStation 4 models. It has cut production of the CUH-2000 series PS4s. It has also discontinued all CUH-7000 series PS4 Pros. The only design that will remain in production is the PS4 Slim Jet Black 500GB model.

The move is somewhat surprising considering the longevity of previous consoles. The PlayStation 4 has been available for 7 years, and the upgraded PS4 Pro launched simply four years ago. By comparison, the PlayStation three lived on for 11 years, while the PS2 remained in production for nigh 13 years.

PS4 Slim (Jet Black, 500GB model) to continue production

One may dismiss it to the PlayStation 5'southward successful launch, merely that has not mattered in the by. Sony retired the PS3 in 2022—four years afterward the PS4's launch. Information technology did not discontinue the PlayStation 2 until 2022 (2012 Nippon), the same yr the PS4 made its debut. However, things are different now.

For one, current product levels for the PlayStation five are not keeping upwardly with need. Sony intends to devote the freed-upwards associates lines to PS5 production. Final week, a leak from insiders indicated that Sony is ramping up production in 2022. Retiring the PS4 now should assistance facilitate that goal.

Secondly, previous generations accept not had to deal with the levels of false demand nosotros accept been experiencing with scalpers. The scalping of loftier-need products has become more than prevalent in recent years. Advanced tools permit scalpers to cutting to the front of online queues easier than ever, and botnets tin purchase up all the inventory very apace.

Lastly, Sony likely planned a quick transition from the PS4 Pro to its side by side-gen panel from the outset. The Pro has the aforementioned $399 MSPR as the PlayStation 5 digital. So discontinuing it now that there is a more robust system at the same price point makes sense.

Image credit: George Dolgikh