In what looks to be a cost-cutting move, Sony is reportedly developing a refreshed PS5 Pro that would feature improved power efficiency, according to Polish gaming website PPE (via Notebookcheck). PPE’s source, Graczdari, has proven reliable in the past, having already unearthed the Oblivion Remastered physical edition as well as the Microsoft Flight Simulator PS5 port ahead of its official reveal.
The same leaks also reveal a new DualSense V3 controller that would include hot-swappable batteries — effectively doubling the extremely poor 4-6 hours of life typical of the current DualSense model.
The PS5 Pro Max?
Still, until Sony confirms the launch of a ‘new’ console and DualSense controller, it’s worth taking the news with a bit of salt. Graczdari’s history of leaking games, as well as restraint from pronouncing any exciting features for the potential console refresh, tells us it’s likely true.
Graczdari reckons that the refreshed PS5 Pro will look identical to the base R19,500 model floating around on shelves, though with the ability to consume a whopping 3% less power than its older sibling. It fits with Sony’s recent desire for existing PS5s to consume less power, after it added a power-saving mode in a September update.
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More exciting was the news of a DualSense V3, which Graczdari believes will be bundled with the refreshed console. If the controller does indeed exist, we don’t see why Sony wouldn’t sell the controller separately as well. Gamers would be clamouring over one another to get their hands on a refined DualSense with more battery life. Just… don’t expect Sony to give in to the fans begging for Hall-Effect or TRM sticks that easily.
Later, news of an updated PS5 Pro model featuring the as-yet unused CFI-7121 model number surfaced, courtesy of known leaker billbil-kun, via French outlet dealabs. It’s still unknown whether this model is at all related to the refresh Graczdari brought forth. Bill-bil kun notes that while it couldn’t uncover any changes to the hardware, it confirmed that the refreshed PS5 Pro would retain its 2TB storage, and not weaken it, like the PS5 Slim did.
