A previous Bloomberg report claimed that Sony had planned to end PS4 console production in 2021, but kept it going due to PS5 shortages. However, Sony denies that’s the case and stated that it never intended to stop making new PS4s.
Is Sony still producing the PS4?
According to Japanese publication NLab, Sony Interactive Entertainment PR stated that there were no plans to end production of the PS4 in 2021. Sony plans to continue offering the PS4 in parallel with the PS5 for the foreseeable future.
The caveat to this is that only one model of PS4 is still being made, the Jet Black 500 GB PS4 Slim. Sony stopped manufacturing the more desirable PS4 Pro in late 2020, which lent credence to the rumor that the company had closed the lines making the PS4 entirely.
Looking at Sony’s history, though, the Bloomberg report seems a bit premature. Here are the years previous PlayStation consoles were manufactured:
- PS1: 1994-2006: 12 years
- PS2: 2000-2012: 12 years
- PS3: 2006-2017: 11 years
With PS4 units continuing to fly off shelves, Sony obviously doesn’t have the back stock to meet demand, so why would it stop making the console? If the PS4 sees the same longevity that previous generations have, we may not see production ending until 2024-2025.
With the worldwide chip shortage and other complications caused by COVID-19, PS5 production hasn’t been able to meet demand. However, even last-gen consoles like the PS4 have had stock shortages, so it makes sense that Sony is continuing to manufacture its cheaper and easier-to-produce console.
Generational transitions have always been a thing in gaming, but this one will likely be the longest to date. With supplies of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles unable to meet demand, developers will continue to create cross-generational titles so they can make the most profit possible. As such, we can expect to see a steady stream of new PS4’s hitting shelves.
In other news, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 might be closer to releasing than you think, and EA might make Battlefield 2042 free-to-play after disappointing sales.
