Sony is Quietly Suggesting PS4 Players Upgrade to PS5 Consoles

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