Sony will reveal the PlayStation 4 slim in September, report says

Sony's will introduce a new, slimmed-down version of the standard PlayStation 4 console alongside its more powerful PlayStation Neo,The Wall Street Journal reports, citing unnamed sources.

The industry has been buzzing about rumours of a souped-up PlayStation 4 gaming console for most of this year, since around March. In June, Sony confirmed its plans to build the console -- codenamed "Neo" -- and the machine is expected to come with enhanced processing speeds and graphics capabilities, including 4K resolution support.

The release of two versions at once is new in the console industry, which typically abides by a model-by-model upgrade cycle. But it may be necessary for consoles to keep selling to an audience that sees PC upgrades keeping pace with technology developments, and wants its consoles to support newer and more demanding game titles.

This means that with two models, Sony can aim its higher-end "Neo" at serious gamers, while the standard model with a cheaper price tag will be targeted at a more casual base.

The new PlayStation 4 version -- a slimmer, matte black console -- appeared in the classifieds over the weekend.

The slimmer model hasn't been officially announced yet, but according to a user on Twitter who claims to have bought the device, it's real.

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Sony is planning a press conference in New York on Sept. 7, where it's expected that it will talk about its two new PlayStation 4 versions. Until then, we won't get a clear picture on when either will hit store shelves.

Sony's main console competitor, Microsoft, already unveiled a slimmer, sleeker version of its Xbox console in July, called the Xbox One S. The One S is 40 percent smaller than the Xbox One and supports 4K resolution as well.

Next year Microsoft is also expected to deliver a powerful 6-teraflop console, codenamed "Project Scorpio," to sit next to the Xbox One S on shelves.

CORRECTION: Aug. 22, 11:30 a.m. ET: An earlier version of this story suggested the PlayStation 4 slim and PlayStation Neo would be released in September. They are only expected to be announced. The Wall Street Journal made no mention of release timing in its story. We regret the error.