Further evidence supporting widespread rumors that Sony will be launching a redesigned PlayStation 3 model has cropped up via several UK and Japanese retail channels.
According to Wedbush Morgan’s Michael Pachter, PS3 stock has been drying up in both territories with retailers unable to place anymore orders until the end of the month, indicating a possible model change and/or price cut.
Pachter told VG247: “The retail commentary I’ve seen has come out of the UK. We heard Japanese retail a few weeks ago say they weren’t going to be getting any more PS3s after August 8, and now we’re starting to hear UK retail say they cannot re-order PS3s until month-end.”
“And that suggest there’ll be a model change."
Echoing various other industry folk, Pachter believes Sony will unveil plans for a Slim PS3 during its hour-long press conference at Cologne’s GamesCom event next week.
"If Sony’s practice is the same as it was in the past, and the Slim is more of a redesign of the components to drive down cost, then I think we will get a price cut,” said Pachter.