Sony shocked the world with its next-generation console, which is said to be the future of gaming. The PS5 was unveiled along with multiple new games.
Sony revealed the long-awaited design of its latest console (PS5) along with another model of the same console known as PS5 Digital Edition.
The PS5 Digital Edition has changed the flow of the ever-changing console wars. To make a choice on what console to buy, we have listed the differences between both consoles based on specs, price, and performance.
Memory and storage
Both the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition have a custom 825GB SSD in them. This SSD is really fast, reaching speeds up to 5.5GB/s of raw data, which is far beyond what other SSDs are capable of.
Regardless of buying your games digitally or physically, you still need to install it to play, which takes up space on the SSD.
Due to the new verified, SSD drive that is set to be announced later in the year, in which expanding your storage space will become possible. Although, they need to be certified by Sony first, as not every SSD will be capable of handling that much workload.
Specifications
Sony confirmed that the two consoles would be identical in performance, which is a big difference compared to the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X.
The two Xbox consoles are much further apart in performance and also in terms of price.
| PS5 | PS5 Digital Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 825GB SSD | 825GB SSD |
| USB | USB 3.0 (unknown), USB-C | USB 3.0 (unknown), USB-C |
| Controller | DualSense | DualSense |
| Backward compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| PSVR support | Yes | Yes |
| Optical drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray drive | None |
| Audio | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech |
| Weight | 9.9 lb (4.5kg) | 8.6 lb (3.9kg) |
| Dimensions | 15.3 in x 4.1 in x 10.2 in | 15.3 in x 3.6 in x 10.2 in |
| GPU | 10.28 TFLOPS, 36 CUs @ 2.23 GHz Custom RDNA 2 | 10.28 TFLOPS, 36 CUs @ 2.23 GHz Custom RDNA 2 |
| CPU | 8x Cores @ 3.5GHz Custom Zen 2 | 8x Cores @ 3.5GHz Custom Zen 2 |
| Price | $499 | $399 |
Sony has reaffirmed that these two consoles are almost exactly alike. Both PS5 consoles have good CPUs, a highly-custom super quick solid-state drive (SSD), and an immense amount of graphical power.
They both are compatible with the same accessories and also feature the new DualSense controller. The main difference between both consoles is lack of Ultra HD Blu-ray drive in the Digital Edition.
The standard PS5 feature this drive, which means it can play games installed on a disc, including backward-compatible PS4 games.
You will also be able to watch Ultra HD Blu-ray or Blu-ray titles. On the other hand, the Digital Edition console lacks these features because it was made for people who don’t intend to use physical media anymore.
There is little difference in dimensions and weight between the PS5 and the Digital Edition. The PS5 operates on the third-generation AMD Ryzen chipset and 8 cores and the manufacturer’s new Navi graphics and Zen 2 architecture.
Both models of the PS5 is said to support 8K resolution, which means players don’t need the 1080p TVs. Although, whether games will run in 8K is more of a mystery.
Also, both consoles will support 120Hz refresh rates, which provides a higher framerate allowing you to enjoy smoother games.
Both consoles will feature a single wireless PS5 DualSense controller, which features haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, supposedly to elevate the feeling of realism while playing your games.
Games
The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition is said to play the same set of games precisely the same way.
The only difference is that one will play directly from discs while the other will play from the console’s storage system. Due to the similar internal specs, both consoles will run games on 4K resolution at fast refresh rates.
Sony’s already lining up some great exclusive games to play on both consoles, including God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon: Forbidden West, the Demon’s Souls remake, Final Fantasy 16, and the Miles Morales-enhanced Spider-Man for PS5.
That’s before taking into account third party games like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, and Resident Evil 8: Village.
Sony is said to introduce its PlayStation Plus Collection perk for its Plus subscribers. PS5 owner’s subscription will include access to download 18 top PS4 games for free, including Uncharted 4, God of War, and Bloodborne.
Release dates and prices
If you decide to go for the standard PS5 (the one that swallows shiny Blu-ray discs), it will cost you $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$749.95.
While the PS5 Digital Edition (same specs as the standard PS5 but lacks a disc drive) will cost $399.99 / £359.99 / AU$599.95.
Both models of the console will launch on the 12th of November in Japan, the USA, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Korea.
All other locations (including Ireland and the UK) will have to wait a little longer to have access to the PS5, a week to be precise, which falls on the 19th of November.
