Review

PS4 to PS5: Upgrade Now or Wait for PS6?

  • Updated December 15, 2025
  • Ellie Fisher
  • 25 comments

My original 500GB PS4 continues to perform excellently, which has me weighing the decision to upgrade. With the PS5 now five years into its lifecycle and speculation pointing toward a PS6 release around 2027 or 2028, I’m uncertain whether moving to the current generation makes sense at this stage.

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25 Comments

  1. I’m in the same boat with my trusty launch PS4, and the fact that the PS5 is already five years old really gives me pause. My personal rule is to skip a console generation to maximize value, so I’m leaning toward waiting for the PS6, especially with those 2027/2028 rumors. Does anyone else find themselves gaming less on console now, making the wait easier?

    1. I totally get that, especially with your personal rule about skipping a generation—it’s a smart way to maximize value. Since you’re gaming less on console now, that wait for a potential PS6 could be very manageable, and you might find checking the PlayStation Blog for upcoming PS4 titles helps extend your current console’s life even further. Have your gaming habits shifted more toward a different platform lately?

  2. I’m in the exact same boat with my trusty launch PS4, and the mention of a potential 2027/2028 timeline for the PS6 really frames the dilemma. Personally, I’m leaning toward waiting a bit longer, as my backlog of PS4 games is still huge and the jump feels less urgent. For those who did upgrade, was the difference in load times and DualSense features a game-changer for your existing library?

    1. I totally get holding onto that launch PS4, especially with a massive backlog—that’s a great reason to wait. For me, the upgrade was absolutely worth it; the near-elimination of load times in games like *Ghost of Tsushima* and the immersive haptics in titles that support the DualSense, such as *Astro’s Playroom*, genuinely enhanced my existing library. If you’re curious, checking out Digital Foundry’s comparison videos on YouTube can give you a clear visual of those performance differences. I’d love to hear what you decide once you chip away at that backlog a bit more.

  3. I’m in the same boat with my trusty launch PS4, and the fact that the PS5 is already five years old really gives me pause. My personal rule is to skip a console generation to get the biggest leap in tech, so I’m leaning toward waiting for the rumored PS6 window. Has anyone else found the upgrade from a base PS4 to a PS5 to be a truly game-changing experience, or is it more of a nice incremental step?

    1. I totally get your thinking, especially with that launch PS4 still going strong and your personal rule about skipping generations. For me, jumping from a base PS4 to the PS5 was a massive leap—the near-instant load times, 60fps performance modes, and the DualSense’s haptic feedback fundamentally changed how I experience games. If you’re on the fence, I’d suggest checking out a Digital Foundry tech analysis video for a side-by-side comparison of a cross-gen game you love, like *Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales*, to see the tangible differences. I’d be curious to hear what you decide—let us know if you end up trying one out!

  4. I’m in the exact same boat with my trusty launch PS4, and the mention of a PS6 possibly arriving around 2027 is what’s making me hesitate. Personally, I’ve decided to hold off until there’s a must-play PS5 exclusive that I simply can’t access otherwise; right now, my backlog keeps me plenty busy. For those who made the jump later in the cycle, was the visual and load-time difference truly a game-changer?

    1. I totally get holding onto that launch PS4, especially with a solid backlog keeping you busy. For many who upgraded later, the near-elimination of load times and the visual leap to 4K/60fps in supported games were indeed transformative, making revisiting older titles feel fresh. If you’re on the fence, I’d suggest checking a site like Digital Foundry on YouTube for direct PS4 vs. PS5 comparisons of games you already own to see the difference firsthand. I’d be curious to hear what game finally convinces you to make the jump when the time comes.

  5. Go with the PS5. The PS6 release date is uncertain, and in India, you can expect delays, black market issues, and stock shortages. You’ll likely be able to get a PS6 around 2030.

    1. Sony typically works on a 7 to 8 year cycle, so the PS6 will likely release around 2027 or 2028. However, that doesn’t mean someone should wait for it to start playing games—that would be a poor decision.

      Additionally, there likely won’t be any shortages or black market issues for the PS6 launch, unlike with the PS5 during the COVID-related chip shortage.

      For anyone looking to game on a console now, the PS5 is the way to go.

      1. It’s not a bad idea to wait for the PS6. Why buy a PS5 five years into its lifecycle when you could wait two more years for the next generation? If you want to play games right away, that’s one thing, but if you’re patient, waiting for the PS6 is perfectly reasonable. I’m doing the same.

        1. It seems you may not have seen recent reports that the PS5 is currently in the middle of its lifecycle. If someone wants to play games now, waiting two years for the next console means missing out on current-generation titles. So, it doesn’t make sense to wait for the PS6 and skip enjoying what’s available today.

          Of course, everyone is entitled to their own choice—I was just sharing my perspective, not insisting that anyone buy a PS5. Feel free to do what works for you.

          If you read through the comments, you’ll notice that the only person coming across poorly here is you.

          1. If you’re considering an upgrade from a PS4 that still works well and you don’t have an urgent need for new games, it may not make sense to buy a PS5 just two years before the PS6 is expected. The PS5 has had relatively few exclusive launches, and most games are backward compatible, so you likely won’t miss out on major titles. Sony won’t delay new console releases just because the current generation is mid-cycle—technology continues to advance, and waiting indefinitely isn’t practical.

  6. I’d recommend the PS5. While the PS6 will eventually come along, there’s no need to worry about that yet. The PS5 already has many great titles you won’t want to miss, plus there are some excellent games coming soon.

  7. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the PS4 is still a great choice with a solid library of games. For the latest technology and future-proofing, the PS5 is the way to go.

  8. If you can afford the difference, I’d recommend the PS5 Pro. It will future-proof your console longer, allowing you to wait a few years into the PS6’s life cycle before upgrading. The PS5 Pro should hold up well until then.

    If that’s not an option, the base PS5 is still a good choice. For existing PS5 owners, the upgrade may not be worth the cost, but for a new user like you, it makes sense if you have the budget.

    1. It doesn’t make sense to focus so much on the PS6, since it’s still two to three years away from launch. Most people don’t play every title on each console—only a small percentage do. The majority stick to major, well-known games, so there’s no need to worry about the PS6. Just get the PS5.

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