Yes, because of what would eventually happen with it. They would eventually make exclusive games for the better/upgraded version for one reason or another. 

To get the more expensive model to sell more. Hardware has to sell to a certain point to be able to make a profit off of the software. If the more expensive version doesn't sell as well, they'll likely change policies and strategies regarding it. Why offer that version if it being there doesn't increase their profits one or another? There's no point in making a upgraded console if it doesn't sell. 

I highly doubt that they would keep it so both versions of a console would play the same games the entire gen. The original xbox didn't do that well and MS tried all of this anti-consumer crap with the 360 when they had no reason to other than they'd make more money in their eyes. I wouldn't put it past them to push something again. Sony isn't in a postion where they can have something else of theirs fail. They would either drop it like it's hot or incentivize the better version to increase it's sales.

And next gen there will also be more than enough people with 1080p TVs. Why not offer them a cheaper console version than the 4K-model which plays the same games?

That's dumb.  Just buy this gen's console when next gen comes around.

Why should they be interested in selling more of the expensive model than the less expensive model (or otherwise) if the profit from the hardware is the same or the profit difference is neglible? The software profit is important.

The cumulative hardware base of basic + pro model is important, not the distribution between the different models. And they can expand the cumulative base with different price points to reach different groups of buyers.

That's dumb if this gen's console can't play the PS5 games I want to play.

DaaaaAaaaAAmmMMnNnNNn!!111!1!1!

You gots da PS5 gamezzz?  Lemme see!

But seriously, here's a fact of life, buddy.  If you cannot afford it, you cannot afford it.  Find another venue.

I'll buy that.  Not PSVR, but what you're saying.  But my principle still stands that there was shift in technology that was unique to this gen alone that Sony felt warranted for a mid gen upgrade.

You have mad interwebz cyber sleuth skills.

Lol.... I think a lot of people aren't seeing these console iterations for what they really are. Even after sony kinda let it slip.

These mid cycle refreshes are in truth just generation extenders without the risk of losing their core user base to always getting cheaper PC hardware.

At the end of the day, this ensures they can release the next consoles in 2020/2021 ( a good 7-8yrs) after they launched the current consoles and not too many people would bitch and complain.

That also puts them in a position where they can release PS5/XB2 hardware with already established (aka cheaper) components and hit a entry level $400 price point. Its all about the Looong game.

Lat year thre was hardware buzz, this year there is hardware buzz again.... next year they will be silent and just talk about services and games and price cuts and deals..... then in 2019 the rumors will start making the rounds again. Then it 2020 there will be reveals and maybe even releases.

I don't honestly think that would ever happen though. We are in a gaming world today where even BC is becoming relevant again. But even more importantly, with the current shift to digital everything, never again will we have a console that isn't compatible with all the hardware that came before it.

And if the recent trend is anything to go by, the mid cycle refreshes follow a specific guidline. They are just giving "better" not "more" of the same thing. Developers are contractually obligated to not make any core gameplay changes between versions of the game. So i don't see where this doomsday outlook is coming from lol.