Further source says PS4.5 is ‘real’

A second outlet has gone on record to report that Sony is working on an enhanced version of the PS4.

Eurogamer now says that it has independently established that it’s real”, saying the internal name it has heard most often is the ‘PlayStation 4K’.

This follows on from a Kotaku report last week claiming that Sony was working on a new version of the console that not only support 4K video, but also includes beefed up processors that would provide for a gaming performance boost. It referred to the device as the PS4.5.

Eurogamer’s lengthy report explores the possibilities open to Sony, although it does point out that the sort of improvements that would be economically viable seem insufficient to provide the sort of power needed for 4K gaming at the sort of quality levels current titles offer in 1080p.

Everything we’ve heard positions PlayStation 4K as a machine capable of playing current and next-generation ultra HD media, while also offering support for other aspects of the 4K spec, such as high-dynamic range and a wider colour gamut – aspects of the 4K spec that could be introduced to gaming,” it states. However, in terms of additional computational power, we’ve got be realistic about what Sony can deliver with a mid-generation refresh.

We can say that with some degree of certainty because PlayStation 4K will almost certainly use an evolved version of the APU technology used in the current console. Once again we will see semi-custom versions of AMD’s CPU and GPU technology integrated into a single, console-friendly processor, and thanks to the firm’s openness with its technology roadmaps, we have a good idea of the base building blocks Sony has access to in building its next PlayStation.

Knowledge of both of these areas, along with the idea that the device has to fit into a console form-factor, not to mention the compatibility required with the existing PlayStation 4, narrows the amount of options Sony has available significantly.”

Remember that talk of an enhanced PS4 has actually been doing the rounds since early 2015, when Netflix casually claimed that Sony had ‘promised’ a 4K version of its console.

Should Sony choose to go down the mid-gen refresh route its biggest challenge will be appeasing its expansive and dedicated existing fanbase.