Since last year, it has been rumored that a new PlayStation 5 model compatible with a detachable disc drive will get released sometime in late 2023, but no evidence so far suggested that this new model is even in the works. Today, however, things have changed, thanks to a new patent from Sony that has now become public.

　　As reported by Segment Next, a patent filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment back in 2020 for an optical disc drive has become public today. While the patent is old and could refer to the disc drive in the current PlayStation 5 model, the disc drive depicted in it is markedly different from that of another patent from 2020 which clearly shows the current model's disc drive. As such, the new patent could indeed be for the detachable disc drive that would be compatible with the rumored new PlayStation 5 model.

　　The new PlayStation 5 hardware revamp, which is rumored to launch sometime this September, is known internally as the D chassis and will be compatible with a detachable disc drive that may not work with current PS5 models. Not much else is currently known about this console other than the fact that it will likely be slimmer and lighter than the current models and that it may replace them entirely, which should help manufacturing quite a bit.

　　Alongside the new PlayStation 5 model, Sony is rumored to be working on a PlayStation 5 Pro for a late 2024 release. Very little is known about this console other than the fact that it may improve ray tracing performance.

　　Sony seems to be very active on the hardware front, as the Japanese company is also rumored to be working on a Remote Play-focused handheld device codenamed Q-Lite. This device, which will not feature any cloud gaming capability, will come with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen as well as adaptive triggers, an audio input jack, speakers, and volume control buttons. This device is apparently releasing this November worldwide.

　　When there's smoke, there's fire, as they say, and if Sony is indeed working on so much new hardware, with some of it releasing soon, an official reveal shouldn't take much longer. We will keep you updated on the matter as soon as more come in on it, so stay tuned for all the latest news.