SSD purchase/firmware

I'm looking at getting an internal SSD for PS5 and was reading to update the firmware. I don't have a PC with an M.2 slot to update it. It looks like maybe the latest update was in March 2023. Is it likely that if I buy the SSD now it would come with the latest firmware? Or do things like this come with vanilla version regardless of production date?

What M.2 are you looking at getting? I believe it was only a Samsung 980 2TB that required a firmware update to fix an issue. If it's anything else, then you can just plug it into your PS5 and play.

The 2 TB WD SN850x. Doesn't look like an update is required, but some people say it might increase the speed?

I have that drive, and haven't updated it at all. Games run very fast and the PS5 didn't complain at all. I've tried searching to see if they're being shipped with more modern firmware but I can't find any information one way or another. I think you'll be fine, to be honest.