Microsoft has made a bold claim in a court filing as part of its ongoing legal battle with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The tech giant has asserted that Sony, its rival in the console market, is “expected to release” two new versions of its PlayStation 5 before the end of this year. The alleged releases include a PlayStation 5 Slim and a handheld version of the PS5.

The mention of these upcoming Sony consoles was included in a paragraph aimed at debunking the FTC’s argument that Nintendo‘s Switch should be considered a separate market from Xbox and PlayStation based on pricing. Microsoft is eager to establish that both Xbox and PlayStation compete in the same market, as it positions itself as the underdog in the console industry.

To support its argument, Microsoft highlighted the price difference between its Xbox Series S and Nintendo’s recently launched OLED model, asserting that the former is $50 cheaper in the US. Furthermore, Microsoft mentioned an unannounced Sony console, claiming that Sony is “expected to release a PlayStation 5 Slim later this year at the same reduced price point.” This claim lacks a credible source but may have been inspired by a report from Insider Gaming last year, suggesting Sony’s plan to release a slimmer and lighter PS5 with a detachable disc drive in 2023. According to Insider Gaming, this new variant, almost identical to the current PS5, is set to launch in September.

Aside from the PlayStation 5 Slim, Microsoft’s court document also references Sony’s anticipated release of a handheld version of the PS5, priced under $300. This seems to align with Sony’s officially announced Project Q, a handheld device capable of streaming PS5 games.

However, it is important to approach Microsoft’s claims with skepticism, considering they might be mere conjecture aimed at strengthening its arguments against the FTC. The court’s decision in this case, which will determine whether the FTC can secure an injunction to block Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal, is expected later this week.

In the United Kingdom, Microsoft is also appealing against the Competition and Markets Authority’s decision to block its Activision Blizzard acquisition. The appeal process is set to commence later this month.