Is PS4 Pro still produced?

As a gaming enthusiast and industry analyst, I can conclusively say Sony has ceased production on the PS4 Pro as of 2021 according to multiple reliable reports. This 4K-capable mid-generation console lasted just under 5 years before being discontinued in favor of fully shifting focus to the next-gen PlayStation 5.

PS4 Pro Manufacturing Timeline

The PS4 Pro originally launched on November 10, 2016 as an upgraded PS4 model capable of 4K graphics, HDR visuals, and higher frame rates. Initial sales and demand for the powerful mid-generation console were quite strong according to Sony:

PS4 Pro production lasted just over 4 years before starting to wind down in 2021. By late 2021, reports emerged of the discontinuation across technology and gaming publications:

This aligned with Sony‘s increasing focus on producing enough PS5 units to meet massive consumer demand. Producing PS4 Pro chips and components likely diverted some capacity away from fulfilling PS5 orders.

Why Sony Had to Axe the PS4 Pro

The writing was on the wall for PS4 Pro ever since the PS5 arrived in late 2020. While still relevant for many gamers, some key factors led to Sony discontinuing production after 4 years:

• Limited components: Chip shortages made it unrealistic to manufacture both PS5 and PS4 Pro in sufficient quantities.
• Maximizing PS5 output: Sony is still struggling to ship enough PS5 units. Ending PS4 Pro output allows them to utilize all available production capacity for their latest console.
• Declining PS4 relevance: Cross-gen games are disappearing, while PS5 exclusives and next-gen features continually increase.

Basically – the PS4 Pro was cannibalizing some PS5 availability while offering a clearly last-gen experience compared to cutting edge exclusives like Horizon Forbidden West.

PS4 Pro vs PS5 – The Next-Gen Difference

Spec-wise, we see major hardware improvements across the board going from PS4 Pro to PS5:

These hardware upgrades combine to offer a next-gen experience like lightning fast load times, 4K 60FPS gaming, visually stunning graphics powered by ray-tracing, and immersive haptic feedback with the DualSense controller.

And we‘re only scratching the surface of what the PS5 enables thanks to its ultra high-speed SSD, custom 3D audio chip, and robust game development tools for further optimization. Exiting the PS4 generation was a necessary step.

PS4 Pro Support Outlook – What Happens Next?

While no more PS4 Pro consoles will be produced, Sony says they will continue supporting the entire PlayStation 4 platform until at least 2025. This means you can expect PS4 game releases and system software updates for another 2 years minimum.

However, support will slowly start phasing out as online player bases shift more exclusively to PS5. I predict PS4 game releases tapering off through 2024. And by late 2025, most gamers still on PS4 will be forced to upgrade to continue playing the latest titles and franchises.

For multiplayer fans, the PS4 to PS5 crossover period is coming to an end. So if you‘re still holding out on upgrading, 2023 presents a great opportunity to make the next-gen leap before leaving the PS4 environment behind for good!