How Long Will the PS4 Be Supported After the PS5? Likely 3-4 More Years
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) first arrived in November 2020, ushering in the next generation of console gaming. But that doesn‘t mean the PS5‘s predecessor, the venerable PlayStation 4 (PS4), is going away anytime soon. According to industry estimates based on comments from Sony, the PS4 is expected to remain a supported platform with new game releases for another 3-4 years after the PS5 launch – likely retiring around 2025-2026.
Why PS4 Support Will Continue Through Around 2025
Sony has not provided an exact end-of-life date for PS4 support, but they‘ve implied in public statements that the console will be viable for years post-PS5. During Sony‘s 2022 Corporate Strategy Meeting, they outlined a "3-4 year transition period between console generations where both are still supported".
And as noted by industry analyst Daniel Ahmad, Sony said in May 2022 they plan to release games on PS4 through 2025. So based on those comments, a sensible timeframe for ongoing PS4 support is 2023, 2024, and into 2025 before phase-out begins.
Large, Lucrative PS4 Userbase
A key driver of continued PS4 support is its massive 116+ million unit install base. For reference, the PlayStation 2 stands as the best-selling console ever at 155 million units. That vast PS4 market represents huge potential revenue for Sony. And with well-documented supply constraints limiting PS5 availability, catering to PS4 owners maintains Sony‘s bottom line.
DFC Intelligence analysts project at least 100 million PS4 units will actively be in use through 2023. With that sizable, lucrative userbase, Sony is incentivized to provide PS4 support and maximize ongoing PS4 software/service sales.
Cross-Generation Game Releases
Third party publishers are also contributing to PS4‘s lengthy lifespan by releasing major multiplatform games across both PS4 and PS5. Major 2023 titles like Hogwarts Legacy, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Assassin‘s Creed Mirage, Diablo IV, and many more are confirmed for PS4.
As long as outside publishers see financial upside in catering to the PS4‘s huge userbase, PS4 support will continue. PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan stated "We expect the PS4 community to continue well into 2022 and beyond".
| Major 2023 Cross-Gen Releases |
|---|
| Hogwarts Legacy |
| Star Wars Jedi: Survivor |
| Assassin‘s Creed Mirage |
| Diablo IV |
| NBA 2K23 |
Table showing major 2023 game releases on both PS4 and PS5, extending the PS4‘s viability.
PS4‘s Virtual Reality Capabilities
The PS4 also provides access to PlayStation VR, which the PS5 currently lacks support for. A report by ScreenRant indicates that the upcoming PSVR 2 headset for PS5 will not be backwards compatible with PS4 systems. So the PS4 remains the only gateway to existing PlayStation VR experiences, giving Sony additional incentive to maintain support.
Gradual generational transition
Historically, console transitions have spanned several years before the previous generation is phased out. The PS3 received new releases through 2017, 4 years post-PS4 launch. And PS2 production continued into 2013, 7 years after the PS3 released.
DFC Intelligence CEO David Cole explains Sony prefers a "gradual transition between console generations, rather than a hard cut-off". So based on Sony‘s past console phase-out timelines, 3-4 more years of PS4 support aligns with their typical gradual transition approach.
PS4 Hardware Production Will Likely End in 2022
While PS4 support is estimated to continue through around 2025, manufacturing of new PlayStation 4 hardware itself will likely wrap up by the end of 2022.
Sony pivoted PS4 manufacturing to the slimmer, more power efficient PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro models in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The standard PS4 and PS4 Pro were discontinued in Japan in 2021, though some new units are still being produced and sold in other territories for now.
Industry analysts expect Sony will ramp down PS4 production fully by end of 2022, as supply chain conditions hopefully improve to meet PS5 production demand. Consumers should not expect any more new PS4 hardware beyond 2022.
However, Sony will maintain full system software support, PlayStation Store access, and game releases for existing PS4 consoles through around 2025 based on their public comments. Production ending does not mean the PS4 platform itself is going offline. You just may not be able to buy new systems.
What Does PS4 Support Entail?
Sony keeping the PlayStation 4 a "supported" platform through around 2025 encompasses:
- New PS4 game releases from Sony‘s own game studios and 3rd party publishers
- Continued firmware/system software updates
- Active PlayStation Store support for buying games and accessories
- Ongoing PlayStation Plus subscription benefits
- Active userbase with network support for online play
Essentially, existing PS4 consoles will continue functioning as normal, just with PS5 becoming the primary focus for new console hardware sales. For PS4 owners, little will change in terms of game releases and support over the next 3-4 years.
Using PS4 as a Legacy Console Long-Term
Even when Sony ends official PS4 support down the road after 2025, your PS4 has great long-term viability as a legacy console. Well-maintained PlayStation systems historically last 7-10 years. And you‘ll have a massive, high-quality PS4 game library to enjoy for years.
Later on, homebrew and modding scenes will likely emerge to keep PS4 hardware usable decades later. For example, there are still vibrant modding and emulation communities around older PlayStation consoles to preserve those systems long after official support ended.
So while the PS5 represents the future, your trusty PS4 has plenty of life left for several more years of active support, and long into the future as a legacy game library trove.
