The news means that recently-surfacing concept images of a new PSP model may be close to the handheld’s actual redesign.  The PSP-4000 may look a little like the Game Boy Advance SP when the controls are exposed during gameplay and may, presumably, be closed for video playback.

Sony has been adamant that it isn’t working on a PSP2 console yet, and the news that the next PSP model will be a drastic redesign explains that statement — Sony wants to focus on the updated model (and its sales) before marketing the next big handheld.

The new PSP model is rumoured to be due out sometime in 2009, although Sony has yet to make any official announcement about the model’s design or release.