We're not even a year since the PS5's release, but Sony is already releasing a revised version of their latest console.
Japanese retailers are listing a new, slightly revised version of the all-digital PS5, which has a model code of CFI-1100B. The new model is 300g lighter (or just over half a pound), and according to the updated user manuals, features different screws holding the detachable standing base.
Other than that, there's very little else different in the CFI-1100B compared to PS5s currently available in North America. There's no change to internal specs, no performance boost, and is no more power-efficient than the previous PS5. It's just a little lighter.
Shipping is said to begin at the end of July, with sales in Japan based on a lottery system.
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This revised PS5 might be the rumored redesign that we heard about a few months ago. Semiconductor producer TSMD was readying itself to begin manufacturing new components for the PS5, but the report confirmed that there would be no changes to the PS5's external appearance. The revision would mostly make it easier for Sony to ride out the global semiconductor shortage and keep producing PS5s.
It seems likely then that the CFI-1100B will have slightly different internal components than the current PS5, but it won't make any difference in terms of actual gameplay.
Sony expects that it'll continue to have trouble meeting demand for its new console until at least 2022. That's according to Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki, who gave the grim report to analysts earlier this spring.
“I don’t think demand is calming down this year and even if we secure a lot more devices and produce many more units of the PlayStation 5 next year," admitted Totoki, "our supply wouldn’t be able to catch up with demand."
There’s no word on whether this lighter PS5 will make it to North America or if it will remain a Japanese-exclusive version of the console.
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