Might Sony go with a two-SKU strategy next-gen (like Microsoft did with Series S)?

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SvennoJ said:

A weaker console from launch is just not a good idea. Let's see how the Series S holds up in 2025...
The only reason I can see for Pro consoles this gen is a ray trace model to be able to hit 60 fps in ray trace mode.

At launch different storage options are the best way to offer cheaper alternatives. Next gen SSD prices should be a lot more affordable not to have to charge a huge premium for 2tb at launch. So likely a bigger difference next gen between the premium disc model and the cheaper digital edition.

The PS5 still isn't readily available, demand remains high despite the price having gone up. So why shoot yourself in the foot by adding a different spec SKU doubling QA work, optimization efforts etc.

I tend to agree that ray-tracing at decent frame rates would be a good argument behind a pro console, so it depends on whether that's something consumers are clamouring for or not.  Consumers were clamouring for 4K, hence the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X making sense.  I'm not sure there's the same clamour for ray-tracing (sadly, as ray-tracing is hella cool, IMO).

I agree that time will tell with how well the Series S holds up in 2025.  So long as developers have realistic resolution targets, or aggressive DRS, I think it'll hold up fine.  But you're right, time will tell.  Perhaps over time it'll drop from 1080 and 1440p down to 900p, which I'd be fine with if it's in the name of high frame-rates.

I think your comments are spot-on when it comes to there being no reason for a refresh to boost PS5 demand yet.  Despite a dramatically smaller motherboard in the 2022 PS5 redesign, I think they (at least in part) left the outer case unchanged as they're holding a "slim" repackaging back for when PS5 availability is finally starting to track significantly ahead of demand, whenever that is.