The PlayStation 5 gets a surprise new update for November 2025, featuring some big improvements to one of the console's newest features.

The new PlayStation-branded monitor is built for PS5 and PC, featuring high refresh rates, HDR support and a clever way to charge a controller.

Sony has pushed a new update live to the Welcome Hub app on PS5 that adds a new widget with extra stat tracking on it, as well as a seasonal animated background that changes throughout the year. On our UK PSN account, the update is live now and you'll be alerted to the new widget and background.

Last Friday, TV Tokyo broadcast a discussion between its journalists that dived into the reasons behind Sony releasing this new PS5 variant. They determined that a key motivation is the playerbase in Japan — TV Tokyo reports that the PS5 has been losing more and more of its share of the Japanese console market to Nintendo.

Sony has launched a more affordable PS5 on occasion of the console's fifth anniversary, but it's only available in Japan.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox

Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei make up 14 of the 19 nominations for PlayStation Studios, with the five others given to Helldivers 2 and Marvel's Wolverine, as well as the Until Dawn movie and season two of The Last of Us from HBO. Here is where you'll find the five other nominations for Sony productions: