Earlier today, images surfaced online of a system message apparently sent by PlayStation direct to users on PlayStation 4 consoles. The message was suggesting they take a look at the latest deals on PlayStation 5 consoles to upgrade and avoid missing out on some of the biggest games set to launch in 2026.
Midway through 2024, the split between PS4 and PS5 players was around 50-50, with tens of millions of gamers worldwide still using the 2013 console as their flagship gaming device.
It’s Time To Give Up the PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 5 has been on the market for more than five years, and the first PlayStation 4 console dropped in 2013, so perhaps it’s time to finally bite the bullet and make that upgrade. That is, unless you’re holding out for the launch of the PlayStation 6 and are prepared to skip a generation.
In a recent image that surfaced on social media, one user claimed to have received a message from PlayStation that was quietly encouraging them to upgrade from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5. The message read:
Whether you’re catching up with hits from 2025 like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, ARC Raiders, and Ghost of Yotei, or getting ready for the most-anticipated games of 2026, including SAROS, 007 First Light, Nioh 3, and so much more, now’s the perfect time to upgrade to a PS5 console.
Scan the QR code to see the latest deals on PS5 consoles.
Perhaps it’s good guy Sony trying to pull players in the right direction with their gaming hardware, or maybe it’s a method designed to coax players away from a withdrawing platform that they’ve started sunsetting.
In October 2025, it was revealed that some PlayStation 4 titles would have certain PSN features switched off in 2026. It’s an effort by Sony to start winding down what has fast become legacy hardware and software, especially as eyes turn to whatever comes next in the PlayStation 6.
Are you still rocking your PlayStation 4, or did you upgrade years ago? Let us know what you’re using on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news about the incoming Highguard update
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
I have both a PS4 and PS5 sat next to eachother I use PS5 when alone but PS4 when with others as I only have one Dual Sense and 2 Dualshock 4s and I truly do not want to keep switching the controllers between the 2 consoles 🙂
Since ps6 isnt till 2029 or 2030, perhaps it’s good for sony to encourage people to upgrade to ps5 especially ps5 pro wirh re9, wolverine, gta 6, n the upcoming pssr 2 as well if anything I’d upgrade to a ps5 pro but either way its time to leave ps4 behind n tbis is even a hint ps4 will be fully phased out soon
Cut the price in half and double the library and maybe I’ll buy one. It’s been five years and there’s MAYBE 20 games on it and they keep jacking up the price. So, as it is now, I’ll stick to my PS4.
Skipping PS5. All the good games on PS5 are also coming to PC 🙂 No need to waste money on a failed console generation.
The only Console worth buying nowadays is Switch because you can literally only play all Nintendo games on that device. But then again you can also play Switch backups on PCs so yeah. You just need a PC these days. Until Sony wakes up and actually try to make good business decisions again.
The fact that PS6 is already coming in the next 1-2 years just solidifies my decision to skip PS5.
Ps4, if they actually put out games that are not remakes that i want to play. Until that fable ps5 announcement, my next system was seriously heading to Xbox. Most creativity seems dead this generation. I know the argument they put out what people buy. I’m still playing skrim BTW. And ultra realistic graphics stopped caring about around ps2/3 era.
Would also help if they wasn’t still charging 450-500 for nearing 10 yr old console. And if Sony did like trade in old console for newer? Might entice people more. But want to much for old consoles. That whenever they decide to release next will be obsolete anyway.