PS5 Pro Design Sketch Suggests Launch is Near — Disc Drive Absence Noted

As September approaches, a new sketch has emerged that might give us our first look at the PlayStation 5 Pro’s design. The sketch is based on a leaked photograph provided to a journalist. The source of this report is Dealabs Magazine, a French publication owned by the Pepper.com shopping platform. The journalist who broke the story, known as Billbil_kun on both Dealabs and Twitter, has been a recognized investigator for Dealabs since 2016.

The design is being shared as a sketch instead of a photograph to potentially avoid copyright infringement from sharing the (likely leaked) photograph. While the legal strength of this approach is uncertain, the sketch provides enough detail to speculate on the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro design, assuming it is accurate.

One key observation is that if this sketch is based on a finalized retail model, the PS5 Pro might be available in both digital-only and disc drive-supported versions, similar to the base PS5. However, if Sony opts for a digital-only model, it could stir controversy among gamers who prefer physical copies for resale or long-term preservation.

Aesthetically, the PS5 Pro sketch closely resembles the PS5 disc version more than the digital one, given that the digital model lacks the centered stripes found on the disc version. The original PS5 disc model features a single stripe, whereas the PS5 Pro sketch shows three.

In terms of dimensions, the sketched PS5 Pro seems closer to the PS5 Slim but is slightly thicker. Considering that the PS5 Slim supports an attachable disc drive, the PS5 Pro might also offer this option, even if only a digital version is launched initially.

The rumor mill suggests an official PS5 Pro announcement could be imminent, given the amount of leaked information regarding its hardware specifications and the expected PS5 Pro Enhanced features. Competitors like Microsoft and Nintendo have also been active with new models like the Xbox Series S|X and the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, the latter rumored to launch in early 2025.