Despite the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X still being a couple of months away, there have already been hints as to when gamers can expect to see their mid-gen upgrades.

The next generation of console gaming inches closer by the day and before we know it, everyone will have either a PS5 or an Xbox Series X. Chances are more will own the former than the latter, but you never know. If previous generations are anything to go by, these will be the consoles we fire up every single day for the next six to seven years, although there have been reports that Sony plans on shortening that gap this time around.

Whether it’s five, six, or seven years, the above statement isn’t strictly true. For the past three generations, both Sony and Microsoft have thrown upgraded versions of their original consoles our way. Whether it be a slimmer version, a more powerful version, or both. Chances are we will see the same thing happen with the PS5 and Series X.

In fact, gamers could be offered an upgrade on their new consoles as soon as 2023. That’s at least according to predictions reported by Forbes. The potentially shorter generation is one reason for this, but also a recently filed patent by Sony for a GPU. The patent mentions words and phrases such as “light” and “high-end” suggesting that it relates to a slimmed-down, more powerful PS5.

Since the PS5 will be slightly less powerful than the Series X, Xbox fans might not be due an upgrade until 2024. As for what that console might be called, perhaps Microsoft will opt for the Series Y, Z, or maybe just X-2. As for PlayStation, our hunch is that it will stick with the Pro moniker it went with during the current generation.

Reading this might make some gamers angry. That the console they don’t even know the price of yet is already getting replaced. This follows the same pattern of the past few generations, though. Plus, gamers won’t need to buy a souped-up version of the next-gen consoles mid-generation if they are happy with what they already have. Both consoles will become obsolete at the same time regardless.

Source: Forbes