The 5-to 7-year lifespan of consoles released by both Sony and Microsoft has caught up with the industry that annually releases new systems. It seems Sony will unleash the next-gen PlayStation console in 2018, according to analyst Damian Thong.
Reported in the Wall Street Journal, Macquarie Capital Securities analyst Damian Thong said that he expects "Sony to release its next-generation PlayStation by the second half of 2018." This is the same analyst who predicted correctly the launch of both the PS4 Pro and Slim models.
There is little detail regarding the predicted 2018 console, and note that predictions don't always pan out. Plus, the earlier-mentioned report didn't expound what the upcoming "next-generation PlayStation" console will look like. Reports note that it could be an upgraded PS4 and be called "PS5." Or it could be an upgrade of the PS4 Pro.
Analyst who correctly predicted PS4 Pro and Slim says next-generation PS would be released...https://t.co/mWTZzuRSSS
— Takashi Mochizuki (@mochi_wsj) April 28, 2017
However, despite the prediction from analyst Damian Thong, an announcement of some form regarding an upcoming next-generation PlayStation console could affect the sales of the PS4 console, which Sony has highlighted how well it has been selling. And the PS4 Pro has barely been on the store shelves for very long.
On the other hand, some form of an announcement from Sony about 2018 next-generation PlayStation could undercut Microsoft's Project Scorpio hype. The Project Scorpio stands to be more powerful than the PS4 Pro.
So, releasing another updated console could allow Sony to have a console directly in competition with Microsoft's Project Scorpio. But surely enough, we will not receive any news about a new console officially from Sony for some time, as the PS4 was announced just 9 months before it launched, while its cousins were unveiled 1 week and 2 months, PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro, respectively, before they launched.
Microsoft's Project Scorpio will be released towards the latter part of this year. So, if there will be a 2018 next-generation PlayStation, certainly these two will be compared and put to the ultimate test. Unfortunately, Sony has not provided any comment regarding the prediction of analyst Damian Thong. But we will keep you in the loop. Stay tuned.
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