PS4 Neo: New PlayStation model reportedly still set for 2016 release despite E3 no-show

PlayStation PS4 Neo — All hail our PhotoShop mastery... Sony / Warner Bros

Sony's upgraded PlayStation 4, codenamed Neo, is still set to be released later in 2016, according to a new report. This is despite the console's recent no-show at Sony's E3 2016 press conference, where it had been expected to be formally announced.

An article from Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter about 4K gaming, written for Eurogamer, reveals that Sony's plan is still to release the new hardware this year. This has previously been reported, prior to the official confirmation of the Neo's existence from Sony Interactive Entertainment president Andrew House in early June. House also confirmed that it would not be discussed during the company's annual keynote.

"Several sources have indicated to me that PlayStation Neo launches this year, despite its E3 no-show," writes Leadbetter in the Digital Foundry article. "If that is the case, it'll be interesting to see how developers utilise its resources, and whether 4K really is the focus. And we can be equally as sure that Microsoft will be watching just as intently as it gears up for its own next-gen roll-out."

PlayStation Neo has been the subject of reports since March, with claims that it will support 4K gaming and that Sony would require developers to ensure that despite offering higher fidelity graphics, it would not offer Neo users an advantage over gamers using original PS4s. The same report also offered a look at the machine's specs.

Right now, all we know for sure is what has been written in that Financial Times interview with House: that the Neo is happening and that it will support 4K in some form. For more details, we'll have to wait until Sony is ready to make an official announcement.

A major influencing factor in all this is Microsoft and its Project Scorpio: a new console in the "Xbox One family" set to launch in late 2017 that will support 4K gaming and virtual reality. If the disparity between the Scorpio's specs and those reported for the Neo are accurate, it means Sony will be behind in terms of power once both consoles have launched.