PS5 Disc vs PS5 Digital Edition: Which Playstation 5 should you buy. Ps5 console digital edition
PS5 Disc vs PS5 Digital Edition: Which Playstation 5 should you buy?
Are you planning to get a Playstation 5 but are confused between the PS5 Disc vs. PS5 Digital Edition? Don’t worry. We go over which of the two consoles you should pick.
As the dust of semiconductor shortage settles down, securing a PS5 is not a challenge anymore. Yet the demand for Sony’s gaming console isn’t slowing down.
While the Digital version is more affordable out of the two, it doesn’t have a disc drive which means that your favorite PlayStation 4 games would become incompatible with the console, forcing you to rebuy them digitally.
The PS5 Disc model allows physical PS5 and PlayStation 4 games, doubling as a handy 4K Blu-Ray player. On the flip side, the Disc Edition is also slightly heavier on your wallet.
The omission of a physical drive also results in a major difference in the physical appearance of the two consoles.
So, which one should you go for if the opportunity arises? We’re about to dive deep into the pros and cons of each, so strap in.
Where to buy the PS5 Disc and Digital Editions
They might not be in stock as of right now, so be sure to bookmark the link and regularly return to potentially get your hands on Sony’s latest home console.
PS5 Disc Vs PS5 Digital Edition: Price
The Playstation 5 Disc Edition retails for 499, however, the Digital Edition comes in slightly cheaper at 399. This makes for a pretty attractive option for those who don’t wish to tie themselves to the shackles of physical media.
But, it ultimately depends on what you might be using the console for. If you want to trade-in your older games in-store, or watch Blu-Rays on your PS5, then the Disc model might the more suitable for you, though it is slightly more expensive.
But, for those of you looking to pinch some pennies, then you might want to go for the 100 cheaper Disc model since that’s an undeniably good saving. With Playstation Plus, you might also be able to get the best Playstation 5 games for no extra fee, if you are subscribed to a premium tier of the service, which manages to mitigate a lot of the issues with having no disc drive.
Winner: PS5 Digital Edition
PS5 Disc VS PS5 Digital Edition: Specifications
Regardless of how you look at it, paying 100 extra to get physical games, a Blu-Ray player, and not solely being tied down to the whims of Sony’s online store, or Playstation Plus, which is almost essential if you were to get yourself the digital model.
Sure, the Disc Edition looks a little bit worse, but we can forgive that since you just get so much more functionality than the Disc model. Though, you might be able to buy the PS5 Disc Edition a little bit easier, since we’ve observed that the Disc Edition sells out a little bit faster, due to its enhanced featureset afforded by the disc drive.
But, if you don’t care about any of that stuff, then picking up a PS5 Digital Edition should see you through, and it’s equally as powerful as its slightly more expensive counterpart.
Winner: PS5 Disc Edition
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PS5 Disc vs. Digital Edition: Which PS5 is right for you?
The Playstation 5 is still pretty hard to find, and the last thing you want is to be scrambling over which model to get when that mystical “add to cart” button actually does light up. With that in mind, we’re here to help you figure out which model is right for you ahead of time.
Sony’s latest home console comes in two variations: the 499 PS5, which sports a disc drive, and the 399 PS5 Digital Edition, which is a cheaper model that ditches the drive for those who don’t mind downloading all of their games. And…the differences pretty much end there. Both versions of the PS5 sport identical hardware inside, meaning you’ll enjoy features like immersive 4K visuals, silky high-frame-rate gameplay, ray tracing for super-realistic lighting and Sony’s innovative DualSense controller no matter which one you buy.
But while the PS5 Digital Edition is cheaper on paper, it isn’t necessarily the best value for everyone. So while you refresh your browsers and follow your favorite PS5 restock trackers, here’s a quick look at who the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are for.
Get the PS5 Digital Edition if you’re looking to save 100 and don’t mind buying all of your games digitally.
You should get the PS5 if…
You buy lots of physical media (including 4K Blu-rays)This might sound obvious, but if you’re the type of person who likes to amass large shelves of physical media, the PS5 disc model is for you. The PS5 is compatible with most physical PlayStation 4 games and also doubles as a 4K Blu-ray player, so if you’ve got a big collection of that stuff, this model is the only one that will play them. It’s also the only version that will play boxed PS5 games you can buy at retail, which brings us to our next point…
You want as many options as possible for buying gamesWhile the standard PS5 is more expensive than the Digital Edition, the fact that it plays physical games could actually save you money in the long run. Whereas the PS5 Digital Edition limits you to the Playstation Store, the disc-based PS5 gives you the freedom to buy games from retailers such as Amazon, GameStop and Walmart — and trade them in when you don’t need them anymore. Physical games tend to go on sale more frequently than their digital counterparts, and can be bought used at lower prices. Plus, you have the added benefit of being able to borrow them from friends or lend them out.
You want the PS5 that’s in stock more oftenBoth versions of the PS5 are pretty elusive, but the standard model is the one that seems to pop up more often. Earlier this year, tech journalist and popular PS5 stock tracker Matt Swider told us that “PS5 Disc is easier to buy,” and that it’s the model he recommends people go for.
You should get the PS5 Digital Edition if…
You want the cheapest PS5 possibleIf you don’t mind forgoing the benefits of physical games, the PS5 Digital Edition is a whole 100 cheaper than the standard model. That extra cash can get you an extra game or two, a Playstation Plus subscription or an extra DualSense controller for multiplayer game nights.
You don’t mind downloading all of your games (and mostly own digital stuff)As its name suggests, the PS5 Digital Edition works only with digital media. So if you’re cool with downloading all of your games and streaming all of your movies, you’ll be just fine with this one. And if most of your back catalog of PlayStation 4 games is digital, you’ll be able to simply redownload those games on your PS5. Going digital is good for folks who want minimal clutter, and since modern games take up hard drive space even if you’re using a disc, you’re not going to save any storage by going with the disc model.
You want the sleekest PS5The PS5 is a gigantic console no matter which version you get, but the PS5 Digital Edition’s lack of a disc drive gives it a sleeker, more symmetrical design than the disc model. The Digital Model is about a half inch thinner than its disc-based counterpart at 3.6 versus 4.1 inches, which just might mean the difference between whether or not you can cram it in your entertainment center.
Bottom line
Given how scarce the PS5 currently is, we’d honestly recommend snapping up any model you can find available. But if you find yourself able to choose between the two, we think the standard 499 PS5 is the better overall choice, thanks to the sheer amount of options it gives you for buying games. You’ll have more opportunities to snag titles on sale, and the system doubles as a 4K Blu-ray player.
If you don’t mind being locked to the Playstation Store and streaming all of your entertainment content, the 100 you’ll save on the PS5 Digital Edition could go a long way toward more games and accessories. No matter what you’ve decided on, make sure to follow our tips for snagging a PS5 so that you’re ready to go as soon as stock comes back.
Note: The above reflect the retailers’ listed price at the time of publication.
PS5 review: An essential games console
The PS5 is a true generational leap, offering incredibly fast load times and an innovative new controller that can change the way games feel.
Pros
- Incredibly fast SSD
- Wildly inventive DualSense controller
- Gorgeous 4K visuals
- Snappy, clean interface
- Impressive backwards compatibility
Cons
- – Massive, unwieldy design
- – Controller may feel too big for some
- – Few must-have exclusives (for now)
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Price: 499 (standard), 399 (Digital Edition) CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2 GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU RAM: 16GB GDDR6 Storage: Custom 825GB SSD Expansion: NVMe M.2 SSD slot Disc drive: 4K Blu-ray player Size: 15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches Weight: 9.9 pounds
The PS5 is now more than two years old, and is going from strength and strength, with a bigger roster of exclusive games and a range of impressive accessories.
Not only does the PS5 offer 4K gaming, but it also has seriously advanced haptics, a speedy SSD and immersive 3D audio. All of these and more combine to deliver a console that’s truly equipped for next-generation, or now current-generation, gaming. There is a slight caveat in that the console is so big with a divisive design that it may not appeal to everyone. But it’s nevertheless a compelling console that’s well worth tracking down a PS5 restock for.
So read on for our full PS5 review.
The PS VR2 just launched, and this is what we think of it.
PS5 review: Price
The PS5 launched on November 12, 2020 in the U.S., and came to the U.K. and most other parts of the world on November 19. The standard PS5, which includes a 4K-Blu-ray drive, costs 499, while the PS5 Digital Edition goes for a cheaper 399, if you don’t mind going discless.
While it was once fiendishly difficult to find in stock, we are now at a stage where the PS5 is more readily available, just don’t expect to find it at discount prices.
PS5 review: Design
Looking at the PS5 now that it’s had a couple of years to bed in, well, it still hasn’t got any sleeker with familiarity. At 15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches, it makes the older PlayStation 4 look diminutive, while the black and white two-tone color scheme isn’t exactly subtle.
Many will find the design to be unattractive and will want to hide the PS5 away. I found that in a neat entertainment unit, it becomes less. err. eye-catching. But others may come to like the outlandish looks that definitely stand out from the boxy design of the Xbox Series X.
But the large size means the PS5 can hold a decent cooling system, meaning it can make use of its power without becoming very noisy as fans ramp up to push out heat; this was an issue with the PlayStation 4, especially after it got a little older.
Unless you plan on putting your PS5 on the floor, you’ll likely need a dedicated small table if you plan on standing it vertically. I was able to fit the PS5 in my entertainment center in a horizontal orientation, but just barely. As such, you’ll want to measure your available space before you set up a PS5 at home.
Speaking of orientation, the PS5 includes a detachable stand that allows you to position the massive console vertically or horizontally. The stand screws into the bottom of the console in vertical mode (the PS5 includes a screw, but no tool to screw it in), and clamps on to the PS5’s rear port area in horizontal mode.
It’d be nice if the PS5 included a tool for unscrewing the base, but I had an easy enough time using a coin to attach and remove it. The system stands up securely in vertical mode with the base attached, but I found the base to be far more finicky in horizontal orientation. It took me a few tries before I could get it to lay flat securely on the base. I eventually got the PS5 to sit still horizontally in my entertainment center, but the fact that the console slid off the base quite easily unless it was positioned just right gives me some pause.
Still, I’ll likely be keeping the PS5 in a horizontal orientation for most of my time with it, simply because I’m worried about accidentally tipping over the tall chassis while it sits on my table.
The PS5’s futuristic aesthetic has been the subject of much debate ever since it was unveiled, and I still have mixed feelings about it. I find that the console looks like an unsightly, oversized cable modem when standing vertically, due to its pointy white side panels and the asymmetrical bulk added on by the Blu-ray drive.
But I’ve grown somewhat fond of how it looks sitting horizontally under my TV, where its curves and edges seem to shine more (even if it looks like a miniature Barclays Center). I also like the attractive LED status lights on each side of the interior, which is both slicker and more pronounced than the status light on the PlayStation 4. And the tiny, hidden Playstation controller icons within the inner panels are a great extra touch. Love it or hate it, the PS5 is a system packed with attention to detail, and looks unlike any console we’ve seen before.
As of Dec. 13, 2021, you can also invest in official PS5 covers, which will change the color of the console’s faceplates. They won’t alter the system’s overall design, but at least you won’t be stuck with a plain white color scheme.
PS5 review: Ports and expansion
The PS5 has a fairly standard array of ports, complete with some welcome modern conveniences. You get a Hi-Speed USB Type-A port up front, as well as a USB Type-C SuperSpeed port. It’s nice to see a console finally feature USB-C connectivity out of the box, especially for connecting modern accessories and storage drives.
In the back, you’ll find two SuperSpeed USB-A ports, an Ethernet jack, an HDMI 2.1 port and an AC adapter. (See the best gaming TVs for recommendations of TVs with HDMI 2.1.) The PS5 has ditched the PlayStation 4’s optical audio port, which may be a bummer for folks with high-end audio devices with optical connections. However, some companies are already offering optical-to-HDMI splitters, such as Astro with its Astro A20 headset.
If you want to expand on the PS5’s built-in 825GB of SSD storage, there’s PCle 4.0 M.2 expansion slot that you can access by opening up the console. Note that not all SSDs are supported, you will need one that hits Sony’s fairly strict requirements, such as the Western Digital SN850, Samsung 980 Pro, or the upcoming Sony-produced Nextorage M.2 NVMe SSD.
At launch, the expansion slot was locked but the latest PS5 software update has unlocked it which enables users to add an additional SSD for more storage. We tested out the process ourselves while the feature was still in beta, and enjoyed some excellent results.
The console’s SSD expansion slot gives the PS5 another arrow in its quiver against the Xbox Series X. Adding additional internal storage to Microsoft’s console requires the purchase of a pricey proprietary SSD card, whereas Sony’s SSD expansion solution allows you to select between various third-party models that range in price. The PS5 also works with standard external hard drives, but only for carrying over your digital PlayStation 4 games or save files.
PS5 review: Interface
The PS5 interface is a clean, attractive and snappy evolution of the PlayStation 4 software. Hopping in and out of games and navigating menus feels instantaneous, to the point where the PlayStation 4 menu now feels sluggish and cluttered by comparison. And while there are some features I’d like to see added to the PS5 interface, it introduces some exciting new ways to get to what you’re playing even faster. Still, there are plenty of PS5 hidden features you need to try.
The home screen will look familiar to PlayStation 4 owners, with a horizontal row of tiles that showcases your most recent games. When you highlight a game, that title’s art will take over the entire home screen while its music plays in the background, which is a neat aesthetic touch. There’s a handy Explore tab that shows news and updates, as well as a Game Library tab that allowed me to instantly start downloading my collection of PlayStation 4 titles. Much like on PlayStation 4, the PS5 lets you capture videos and screenshots, or stream to YouTube or Twitch with a quick tap of the Create button.
I like that the PS5 software looks clean overall, but I do wish there were an option for organizing your games into folders, like there is on PlayStation 4. And while it’s cool seeing the background adapt to whichever game you have highlighted, I’m surprised there’s no option to set custom wallpapers instead. (At least there’s a simple trick to give your PS5 a retro look that turns the logo into the iconic red, yellow, green and blue logo found on earlier versions of the console.)
Longtime PlayStation 4 users will have to shake some muscle memory, as a tap of the Playstation button now brings up a control center that lets you switch apps, view your friends, check notifications, monitor your controller’s battery life and more from the bottom of your screen.
Better yet, you can customize the control center to have quick access to features such as network settings, accessibility options and broadcast controls. It’s a big improvement from the PlayStation 4’s quick menu, which took up a far bigger chunk of the screen and wasn’t as snappy or customizable.
Snappy and clean software is great, but the PS5 interface really comes alive when you start playing a game. Tapping the Playstation button while playing a PS5 game brings up the Activities menu, which shows information such as the current progress of your mission, a set of trophies you can go after, or a list of in-game activities that you can jump right into.
For example, I was able to dive into a series of side missions and challenges right from the Activities menu in Spider-Man: Miles Morales without having to actually find them in-game, saving me time I’d have to otherwise spend swinging around Manhattan. You can also access the Activities menu right from your Game Library before you even boot up a game, meaning I was able to hop right into a specific level in Astro’s Playroom without having to deal with any menus.
As someone who doesn’t always have a ton of free time, the ability to jump to a specific chunk of a game at a system level isn’t just appreciated — it’s downright revolutionary. While it may seem like a minor concession to some, the Activities menu could end up changing the way we play games, and I’m really eager to see how developers take advantage of it in the coming years.
My biggest gripe with the PS5 on a software level is that, unlike the Xbox Series X and S, Sony’s console doesn’t seem to be able to suspend multiple titles at once. While Xbox’s Quick Resume feature lets you seamlessly jump between half-a-dozen games while picking up right where you left off in each one, the PS5 requires you to boot up each game from scratch.
What’s more frustrating is that the console doesn’t warn you when your existing game will close in favor of a new one, which could lead to you losing unsaved progress. While the PS5’s load times are so fast that the lack of Quick Resume isn’t a huge issue, it’s a bummer that Sony’s console doesn’t have an answer to one of the Series X’s most convenient features.
As of March 2023, a new PS5 system update has brought full Discord integration to Sony’s console. Previously PS5 users could link their PSN account to Discord, but this only offered a limited set of features, now you can join a Discord voice chat directly from the PS5 quick menu. And you can even communicate with friends who are playing on other gaming platforms such as Xbox and PC.
PS5 review: DualSense controller
The PS5 DualSense controller just might be the most next-gen thing about Sony’s new console. The gamepad’s haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and built-in speaker work together brilliantly, creating a level of tactile immersion I’ve simply never experienced while playing a game before.
The DualSense especially shines in Astro’s Playroom, a free, pre-installed title built specifically to showcase what Sony’s new controller can do. In this colorful 3D platformer, you can feel and hear the subtle impact of grains of sand while walking through a storm, or experience a smooth gliding sensation when skating over ice, just to name a few examples. Everything from pulling on a rope to gliding around in a jetpack generates an extremely detailed level of force feedback. It’s the kind of thing you truly need to feel to believe.
If you’re already pondering the PS5 DualSense vs DualShock 4 battle, the new controller comes out on top for sheer innovation alone.
The adaptive triggers are especially impressive, as they can become harder to actuate based on what’s happening in-game. For example, the triggers gave much more resistance when I was controlling my character in a spring-loaded jumpsuit, accurately replicating the feeling of pushing down on a spring and releasing it. Games can even take advantage of the DualSense’s built-in microphone, as I had to blow on the controller to move a platform of ice in Astro’s Playroom.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure also makes impressive use of Sony’s controller, as I could feel a sudden sense of resistance when walking through tall grass thanks to some steady haptic patterns. I felt vibrations moving through specific parts of the controller during cutscenes, and enjoyed the soft taps that accompanied Sackboy flailing his feet around while floating in the air. And in the sword-based combat of Godfall, I felt the triggers tense up to add extra weight to the feeling of slicing up enemies of heavy attacks.
When playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales, I felt subtle, but extremely nuanced, vibrations during cutscenes, as the controller would perfectly match the clinking of glasses or the distant stomps of Rhino’s feet with tactile feedback. I also appreciated the slight feeling of resistance when using the triggers to web-swing through Manhattan, as well as the soft buzz of electricity that played out of the speaker every time I charged up Miles’ Venom attacks.
Sony’s new controller packs a built-in microphone, which allows you to chat with friends when you don’t have a gaming headset handy. And it totally works in a pinch. I had an entire voice chat with my colleague Marshall who was also on his DualSense, and we were able to hear each other just fine through the controller’s built-in speaker. You’ll still probably want to use a dedicated headset to hear your game and chat audio during a competitive Call of Duty match, but the fact that you can talk to friends on PS5 without needing a headset is a great touch.
The DualSense already shows some incredible potential, but it’s only as good as the games that take advantage of it. While games like Astro’s Playroom, Spider-Man, Godfall and Sackboy do some exciting things with Sony’s gamepad, I’m curious to see how many developers fully tap into the DualSense’s unique features as more PS5 games show up.
Beyond its advanced haptics, the DualSense fares pretty well as a standard controller. It’s significantly bigger than the DualShock 4 gamepad, with a hefty feel, and a design that seems to take a page out of the Xbox Wireless Controller in terms of ergonomics. While the DualSense’s meatier grip feels satisfying to hold, I wish it were just a bit more compact, and found my hands getting cramped when playing more intense action games like Godfall and Devil May Cry 5.
The good news is that the DualSense’s buttons and triggers feel great during everyday gameplay. I had no issues doing my usual Mortal Kombat 11 combos thanks to the controller’s smooth D-pad and snappy face buttons. The thumbsticks and triggers felt responsive and accurate when I gunned down Rebels in Battlefront II. The touchpad is much bigger this time around, and I like that the built-in lightbar wraps around the center rather than being hidden at the top, as on the DualShock 4.
Players wanting an even more advanced controller will want to consider Sony’s DualSense Edge. This premium pad offers a wealth of additional features including adjustable triggers, swappable sticks and back buttons. However, all these extras come at a hefty price: 199/£209. The DualSense Edge also packs a slightly smaller battery than the regular PS5 DualSense controller which is a disappointing downgrade for such a pricey accessory.
PS5 review: Performance and load times
With a powerful 8-core AMD Zen 2 processor, 10.3 teraflops of graphics power and a ridiculously fast custom SSD, the PS5 promises some of the best performance to ever come out of a games console. And while I’ve only played a handful of titles that are designed to harness the PS5’s power, I’m already impressed by what Sony’s console is able to pump out in terms of fidelity, framerate and, most importantly, load speeds.
This shouldn’t come as a shock, but games look fantastic running on Sony’s new console. Spider-Man: Miles Morales looked more akin to a high-end PC game than a Playstation title, as I gawked at the gorgeous reds and purples of Spider-Man and his enemies popping off the screen in 4K. Thanks to the console’s ray-tracing support, Manhattan’s skyscrapers reflected off one another realistically, as did a series of lifelike puddles in a busy Times Square.
The PS5 version of Miles Morales has a special Performance mode, which turns off effects such as ray tracing and uses upscaled 4K in favor of a higher framerate. When I switched to this mode and zipped through the city at a silky 60 frames per second while still enjoying beautiful visuals, I felt like I was experiencing something that simply couldn’t be done on previous-gen consoles. This made it extremely hard to go back to the PlayStation 4 version of Miles Morales, which often chugged below 30 frames per second.
This experience is likely to improve in future, with Sony confirming variable refresh rate support (VRR) will hit the PS5 sometime in 2022.
But while ray-traced visuals and 60 fps performance modes are great, it’s the PS5’s lightning fast SSD that truly makes Sony’s console feel next-gen. When booting up a game like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, there’s almost zero downtime between selecting the title from your home screen and being out on the street, beating up bad guys. The same process took around 20 seconds before I could start playing the PlayStation 4 version.
Astro’s Playroom is just as instantaneous, as I was able to jump from the game’s main hub area to its myriad vibrant levels without a single loading screen in sight. The PS5’s blazing SSD is also what allows you to skip to certain portions of a game via the Activities menu, and upcoming titles such as the dimension-hopping Ratchet Clank: Rift Apart look they’ll do some truly inventive things with it. We’ll have to see how more titles utilize the SSD, but it already feels like one of the biggest leaps forward in console gaming in quite a while.
| 22 seconds | 30 seconds |
| 12 seconds | 12 seconds |
| 2 seconds | 20 seconds |
| 15 seconds | 33 seconds |
| 1 minute | 1 minute, 28 seconds |
| 8 seconds | 11 seconds |
| 10 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 33 seconds | 1 minute, 5 seconds |
| 12 seconds | 22 seconds |
When it comes to load time improvements for PlayStation 4 games, I saw the most dramatic gains when playing The Last of Us Part II. Naughty Dog’s acclaimed action-adventure game started up more than twice as quickly on PS5 than it did on PlayStation 4, and took nearly 30 seconds less to get into a playable encounter from the main menu. I noticed similarly significant improvements for Star Wars Battlefront II, which took about 33 seconds to boot up on PS5, compared to over a minute on PlayStation 4.
The differences in load times were less stark when testing titles such as God of War and Mortal Kombat 11, but every single game I tested loaded fastest on PS5.
PS5 review: Backwards compatibility
The PS5 works with nearly all PlayStation 4 games, which is a huge step up from Sony’s complete lack of backwards compatibility last generation. I tested close to a dozen PlayStation 4 games on PS5, including The Last of Us Part II, God of War, Mortal Kombat 11, Tetris Effect and Resident Evil 2, and almost all of them loaded faster and ran better than they did on my launch PlayStation 4. Both digital and disc-based PlayStation 4 games worked without a hitch on my PS5, and my physical movies worked just fine on the system’s 4K Blu-ray drive.
The PS5 allows you to take advantage of any PlayStation 4 Pro enhancements a game offers, so games that have higher resolution or frame rate modes benefit the most from Sony’s new console. As someone coming from a launch PlayStation 4, the ability to finally enjoy God of War’s high-frame rate mode or play Tetris Effect in 4K felt almost worth the price of admission on its own (the aforementioned load time boosts certainly don’t hurt, either).
The PS5 is designed to work with most first-party and officially licensed PlayStation 4 accessories, and I had no issues bringing my existing last-gen gear over. Pairing my DualShock 4 to the PS5 was as simple as plugging it in via USB cable, and my existing headsets worked just fine with the DualSense’s 3.5 mm audio jack.
Third-party wired controllers, such as my Hori Fightpad and Victrix Pro FS Fight Stick, also worked perfectly as I mashed buttons in Mortal Kombat. Just keep in mind that the DualShock 4 only works with backwards compatible PlayStation 4 games, so you won’t be able to use it for PS5-only titles.
recently, a new patent application filed by Playstation designers hints that the PS5 will someday be able to run PS1, PS2 and PS3 games — giving you even more reason to pick up a PS5.
PS5 review: Games
The PS5 launched with Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a gorgeous and fun follow up to 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man complete with ray-traced graphics and an optional 60 fps performance mode. But it was joined by the likes of Sackboy: A Big Adventure, a simple but charming 3D platformer with lots of character customization, and Astro’s Playroom, a free bundled game that shows off the DualSense controller with great aplomb.
One of the PS5’s biggest true launch exclusives is Demon’s Souls, a visually stunning remake of the beloved 2009 action/RPG of the same name.
But a lot of these launch games were not PS5 exclusives. However, now we’re past the two-year mark there are more games that play best on Sony’s flagship console.
Deathloop presented a stunning timed-exclusive shooter, Horizon Forbidden West is a gorgeous open-world adventure, God of War Ragnarok is a fantastic and beautiful follow up to the 2018 game, and Gran Turismo 7 is another triumph of realistic racing.
So there are now plenty of excellent games that make the PS5 well worth buying today, just bear in mind you many need an SSD upgrade to store a good suite of titles.
PS5 review: Apps
The PS5 has access to pretty much every entertainment app you’ll need, including Disney Plus, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and, new to the Playstation ecosystem, Apple TV Plus. These apps all worked identically to their PlayStation 4 counterparts in my testing, which isn’t a bad thing.
Every app I tested loaded quickly and streamed reliably, whether I was binging Chappelle’s Show on Netflix or catching up on wrestling news on YouTube. But more importantly, the PS5’s streaming apps are easier to access than before thanks to a handy Media tab that’s just a button press away on the home screen. That’s a nice upgrade from the PlayStation 4, which buried all of its streaming apps in a slow-loading TV Video menu.
As a cautions and caveated FYI: PlayStation 4 jailbreaks could supposedly work with the PS5, which theoretically would open it up for all manner of homebrew software and apps. But we’d suggest you avoid this as it can cause problems, something you don’t want to do when the PS5 is still very difficult to find in stock.
You can also check our PS5 exclusives vs. Xbox exclusives story to see how the two libraries stack up.
PS5 review: Heat and noise
Thanks to its massive internal fan and large vents along the inside of the chassis, the PS5 stayed cool and mostly quiet during my time with it. I rarely noticed any noise coming out of the console, even as I spent hours exploring Astro’s Playroom or webbing up crooks in Spider-Man. I did notice some rare moments of audible noise when running Star Wars Battlefront II, and could hear discs spinning pretty loudly when I first put Blu-rays in the machine. But compared to the jet-engine-like noises that come out of my PlayStation 4 when simply downloading a game, the PS5 is blissfully quiet.
PS5 review: 3D audio
The PS5’s Tempest Engine enables it to deliver 3D audio for supported games, allowing you to hear game sounds with greater directionality than standard stereo can offer. The PS5’s 3D audio is designed to work with most existing headphones and headsets, though Sony’s new Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is optimized for the technology. So far we’ve tested 3D audio on an Astro A20 headset, and while the effects have been mostly subtle, they show lots of promise.
The PS5’s audio tricks were most pronounced in Astro’s Playroom, as I could hear the rain clearly coming from above me, and could pinpoint the sound of a tornado whirring between my left and right ears as it shot my character upwards. It was also easy to pick out where cars, planes and enemies were coming from when swinging around in Spider-Man: Miles Morales, but I didn’t notice a huge difference between when the effect was on or off.
Like many of the PS5’s features, it’ll ultimately be up to developers to make the most of the console’s 3D audio tech. We’re eager to try more games with 3D audio support, as well as get our hands on the Pulse 3D headset for the full experience.
PS5 review: PS VR2
In February 2023, Sony launched the Playstation VR 2, the updated version of the PlayStation 4’s Playstation VR.
While the old headset is still compatible with the PS5 in a limited way, the PS VR2 brings even more power and a simpler user experience, plus new games to try out. games are getting VR updates in the coming months too, so if you don’t mind shelling out another 500 or so, you can use what’s turned out to be one of the best VR headsets around.
PS5 review: Verdict
The PS5 is a genuine leap forward for console gaming, offering gorgeous 4K performance, stunningly fast load times and a truly game-changing controller that makes playing games more immersive and tactile than ever. It plays nearly all PlayStation 4 games, and, in many cases, allows them to run and load better than ever before.
The console’s massive size may also be a concern for those with limited space, and the DualSense controller itself could be a little big for folks with smaller hands. But other than that, the PS5 is a fantastic gaming machine.
It’s also worth considering Microsoft’s 499 Xbox Series X, which offers slightly more power and works with four generations of Xbox games. But if you pick a PS5 up now, you’ll be treated to a true next-gen experience complete with advanced haptics, beautiful graphics and almost zero friction between you and the games you want to play.
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: which should you buy?
The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition hit stores back in November 2020 and have been in high demand ever since. But which of Sony’s next-gen consoles is best for you?
If you’ve already made up your mind, here’s where to where to find a PS5 restock and the best PS5 deals on Black Friday. If not, read on and we’ll help you make the right choice.
The decision really comes down to this: do you want to splash out on the full-fat PS5 or the cheaper PS5 Digital Edition? The main difference being that the former has a disc drive, and the latter doesn’t.
The disc-less Digital Edition will only be able to stream games, films, music and TV shows, rather than running them straight off a CD, DVD or Blu-ray. But that’s certainly not the only thing to consider when deciding between Sony’s latest console.
Here, we’ll run down all the major factors to take into account to help you decide which PS5 belongs under your TV.
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: price and availability
The standard Playstation 5 debuted at £449 / 499 / AU749. But in August 2022 Sony announced price hikes in the UK and Australia. The PS5 now goes for £479.99 / 499 / AU799.95.
The disc-less PS5 Digital Edition is the cheaper option here. It started at £359 / 399 / AU599 but Sony’s August 2022 rises have nudge that up to £389.99 / 399.99 / AU649.95.
Pricing the Digital Edition cheaper than the ‘full-fat’ PS5 mirrors the approach has taken with its Xbox Series X and all-digital Xbox Series S. After all, if you’re getting less functionality you should pay less, right?
That’s assuming you can find a PS5. As of late 2022, supply has eased and there are regular PS5 restocks at major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Playstation Direct, Game and Best Buy. It’s worth noting that Amazon customers need to sign up for an email invite to buy a PS5 when stock arrives (see our PS5 restock page for full details).
Despite rising inflation, the cost of living and the war in Ukraine reducing demand for pricey consumer electronics, Sony expects Playstation 5 supply issues to last until 2024.
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: design and build
The PS5 is an imposing machine (39 x 26 x 14cm). The main difference between the two models, looks-wise, is that one has a disc drive and one doesn’t. Consequently, the Digital Edition is 12mm slimmer towards the base and around half a kilo lighter.
In August 2022, it emerged that Sony had quietly refreshed the design of both PS5 consoles. The updated disc model weighs in at 3.9kg, much lighter the 4.5kg launch version. This seems to be down to a number of internal changes to the motherboard, as well as the cooling and SSD enclosure. The latest disc-less version now weighs 3.4kg, instead of 3.9kg.
Both consoles have a sculpted, sci-fi look to them and can be vertically rather than horizontally (you’ll have to unscrew and reposition the included pedestal stand, mind).
Both devices have the same distinctive design elements, namely a high, white-collared shell that’s separated from the black body of the unit by finned gaps to aid ventilation.
Talking of which, the PS5 is not completely inaudible in a silent room (like the Xbox Series X), but the consistent whirr is quiet enough to be drowned out by any sound coming from your TV or sound system.
In terms of the PS5’s disc drive, we’d peg it at about 5dB quieter than the Xbox, so opting for Sony’s most expensive next-gen console won’t intrude on your movie soundtrack.
The user interface, which includes a new home screen with game ‘cards’, is fresh, super-stylish, logical and snappy. It’s also familiar enough to ensure that existing PlayStation 4 gamers can quickly find their way about.
All in all, the PS5’s is a striking design that has split opinion. But we like it.
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: specs
In a post on the official Playstation blog, Playstation boss Jim Ryan confirmed that both PS5 consoles share identical power and features, including 4K graphics, ray-tracing support and PS5 3D audio. So, “whichever PS5 you choose, you’ll enjoy the same breathtaking, next-gen gaming experiences”.
Spec-wise, both PS5 consoles feature the same AMD Zen 2-based CPU, the same 16GB GDDR6 / 256-bit memory, and the same 825GB SSD. The way Sony has designed and integrated the PS5’s storage makes it so fast (more than twice as fast as that of the Series X) that it boosts overall console performance.
Neither PS5 has an 8K output option. Instead, silky-smooth 4K at 60Hz is the performance target, with 120Hz available via some games, sometimes at the cost of resolution and/or certain graphical features. In April 2022, Sony boosted the PS5’s appeal by adding VRR (variable refresh rate), which should reduce screen tearing and smooth out gameplay.
In July 2022, Sony went further, adding native 1440p support, bringing the PS5 in line with the Xbox Series X and Series S, which have supported 1440p since launch.
In terms of games, you can able to transfer most PlayStation 4 games to PS5 and in most cases, enjoy free upgrades such as increased frame rates. However it’s worth noting that to do this you’ll need to use the PS5’s disc drive to transfer the game discs to the next-gen console. The PS5 doesn’t support your old PS1, PS2 and PS3 titles, either.
Eyeing up the PS5 as an entertainment hub as well as a games machine? The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are a great choice. They now support Netflix, Disney Plus (now with 4K HDR), Apple TV, Spotify, Twitch, BBC iPlayer, YouTube (now with HDR10), Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, Disney Plus, HBO Max and Playstation Video. As per the rumours, Apple Music arrived on the PS5 in October 2021.
One disappointment is the PS5’s lack of high-end HDR support. Neither model supports Dolby Vision video, or Dolby Atmos sound for that matter. Sony hasn’t explicitly ruled them out, but for now, PS5 owners will have to make do with regular HDR10. Here’s our take on how to get the best picture and sound from your Playstation 5.
On a more positive note, both PS5 and PS5 Digital offer Sony’s proprietary ‘gold standard’ 3D audio technology. The PS5’s 3D Audio engine, ‘Tempest’, produces open, spacious and atmospheric sound with good placement of effects. And although Dolby Atmos isn’t an option for games, it is for the PS5 disc edition, which can do a very good job of Dolby Atmos soundtracks when given the chance. It doesn’t quite have the crispness of a dedicated player, but it does produce a room-filling sound with good clarity.
The PS5 also supports “Hey Playstation” voice commands, Sony’s latest Party Chat feature, so you can open/close voice chats with friends. Both the disc and digital PS5s are compatible with the DualSense Wireless Controller, and the upcoming DualSense Edge controller.
Based on spec, PS5 Digital Edition will appeal to those gamers and streamers who are happy to ditch physical game discs but who don’t want to sacrifice performance. If, on the other hand, you have a collection of 4K Blu-ray discs, the pricier PS5 could be for you.
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: verdict
Given that the only differences between the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are the presence of a disc drive and price, which console is right for you will really come down to whether you can live without disc support.
If you want your games console at the heart of your entertainment set up, to frequently double as a DVD/Blu-ray/CD player, you’ll likely want the full-fat PS5. If you use your console purely for gaming, however, or have a speedy and robust internet connection for streaming and downloading and can cope with storing games digitally rather than on disc, the Digital Edition could save you a fair bit of money.
Mind made up? Here’s where to find a PS5 restock and our pick of today’s best PS5 deals.
Where to buy the PS5
Fed up with missing out? Here’s where to find a PS5 restock.
Amazon Now dropping email invites regularly. Head over to Amazon’s PS5 or PS5 listings to register for an email invitation to the next PS5 stop drop. The last one occurred on 21st October, so we’re expecting another one soon.
Walmart Walmart Plus members get early access to PS5 drops. Note: the company offers a free 15-day trial of Walmart Plus, but it doesn’t include PS5 restocks. They tend to be exclusive to paid members so you must click the button that says “Start paid membership”.
Game One of the best places to find a UK PS5 restock because it offers big PS5 bundles. The retailer’s latest bundles have included games like FIFA 23 and accessories such as the DualSense wireless controller.
Best Buy Best Buy offers members of its TotalTech service (199.99 a year) special access to PS5 restocks.
Sony Direct Usually has plenty of PS5 stock including lots of excellent bundles, so head over there if you’re in the UK or US. You’ll need to sign in with a PSN account to buy a PS5.
Amazon Australia has seen the most frequent restocks in Australia, so it’s a great place to buy, as is Sony’s own website.
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Tom is a journalist, copywriter and content designer based in the UK. He has written articles for T3, ShortList, The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, The Daily Telegraph, Elle Deco, The Sunday Times, Men’s Health, Mr Porter, Oracle and many more (including What Hi-Fi?). His specialities include mobile technology, electric vehicles and video streaming.
There are two missing issues in this article and it’s analysis. One is price of content. Visit the PlayStation 4 store and take a look at the price of The Last of Us Part 2. about £60 today (22.08.2020). On Amazon it’s £41 so after a few games the disc drive will pay for itself. Secondly (but kind of related) I can then give the disc to my friend or my nephew and they can play it for free or even pay me £20. win/win.
Digital edition should be avoided for these reasons.
There are two missing issues in this article and it’s analysis. One is price of content. Visit the PlayStation 4 store and take a look at the price of The Last of Us Part 2. about £60 today (22.08.2020). On Amazon it’s £41 so after a few games the disc drive will pay for itself. Secondly (but kind of related) I can then give the disc to my friend or my nephew and they can play it for free or even pay me £20. win/win.
Digital edition should be avoided for these reasons.
Avoid the digital edition if you’re planning on buying more than 4 games, because in that case it is most likely the more expensive option.
Avoid the digital edition if you’re buying it purely to save money, really. I’m considering it because I like owning digital games. They’re a lot more convenient and not always more expensive (other stores sell codes, and there are sales). But yes, it’s not likely to end up cheaper, or even as cheap, as buying the disc model and accompanying discs.
Avoid the digital edition if you’re buying it purely to save money, really. I’m considering it because I like owning digital games. They’re a lot more convenient and not always more expensive (other stores sell codes, and there are sales). But yes, it’s not likely to end up cheaper, or even as cheap, as buying the disc model and accompanying discs.
Why deliberately choose the device with less features, knowing that it will most likely be more expensive in the long run?
Why deliberately choose the device with less features, knowing that it will most likely be more expensive in the long run?
My point is it’s only more expensive vs buying discs. If I buy the standard PS5 (which I might, I still haven’t decided) then I’ll still probably be buying at least 90% of my games digitally because I’ll take the convenience over saving money (especially as I rarely bother selling games on when I’m done, so they just take up space and don’t always save much money anyway). That situation may not apply to many people (I have no idea) but I’m sure I’m not the only one, so there certainly is a market for the digital edition.
I used to buy discs for my PS3/PlayStation 4 from secondhand shops (CEX etc.) and then trade them in for the next game. I don’t really do that anymore because it isn’t a huge saving over a digital copy when they are on sale, which is quite frequent. For example, Doom (2016) is currently £12.84 on Amazon but only £4.79 on PS Store
I also now have a subscription to PS Now which provides me with more than enough to keep occupied. I have a 4tb external drive and with 77 games that is only about half full.
It is likely that I will get the version with the disc drive though because it isn’t vastly more expensive and since I won’t be buying it this year the are likely to fall anyway.
If you want your games console at the heart of your entertainment set up, to frequently double as a DVD/Blu-ray/CD player, you’ll likely want the full-fat PS5.
A PS5 won’t be doubling as a CD player, as it doesn’t support CD playback. list of disc types it supports.
This lack of support is apparently down to a physical incompatibility (it doesn’t have a laser capable of the wavelength required to read CDs) rather than software, if so then it’s not like some future update will add it either.
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition — which one is best for you?
“PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition” is a query that’s popular on Google search because folks want to know which console is best for them. When you get a hold of a PS5 restock (fortunately, the console is becoming less rare these days), the last thing you want to do is waste your time hemming and hawing about which one to buy.
Two years ago, Sony unveiled not one, but two editions of the Playstation 5 at the June 11 Future of Gaming virtual event. Awesome! But for some, the double reveal has caused mind-warping indecision.
As such, I will help you make an informed, knowledge-based decision. After all, no one likes buyer’s remorse. Without further ado, let’s delve into the pros and cons of the Digital Edition and the disc console so you can make a PS5 purchase that’ll leave you satisfied. If you are in the market for any gaming deals you can check out our Black Friday gaming deals to save yourself hundreds on the latest gaming gear.
Without further ado, let the PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition battle begin!
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition: What’s the difference?
| PS5 | PS5 Digital Edition |
| 8x Cores @ 3.5 GHz (variable frequency) | 8x Cores @ 3.5 GHz (variable frequency) |
| 10.3 TFLOPS, 36 CUs @ 2.33 GHz (variable frequency) | 10.3 TFLOPS, 36 CUs @ 2.33 GHz (variable frequency) |
| 16 GB GDDR6 | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
| 825 GB Custom NVME SSD | 825 GB Custom NVME SSD |
| 5.5 GB/s (Raw), up to 8-9GB/s (Compressed) | 5.5 GB/s (Raw), up to 8-9GB/s (Compressed) |
| NVMe SSD Slot | NVMe SSD Slot |
| USB External HDD Support | USB External HDD Support |
| 4K UHD Blu-Ray Drive | No disc drive |
| 4K @ 60 FPS, Up to 120 FPS and 8K | 4K @ 60 FPS, Up to 120 FPS and 8K |
The PS5 Digital Edition and the disc model are almost “identical,” according to an interview with Sony’s Playstation CEO Jim Ryan. However, there are some important differences between the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition that are worth noting, especially when it comes to design and whether or not a disc drive exists.
Both systems — PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition — sport an eight-core AMD Zen 2-based CPU clocked at 3.5GHz, a custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU with 10.28 teraflops and 36 compute units clocked at 2.23GHz, 16GB of RAM, and a custom 825GB SSD.
The PS5 duo also boasts exciting next-gen features including instantaneous load speeds, 8K graphical capabilities and advanced 3D audio.
While these console twins have many similarities, there are some crucial differences worth mentioning.
The 4K Blu-ray player
The most obvious difference? PS5 Digital Edition doesn’t have a disc. That means any game you’d like to play on the Digital Edition must be obtained through internet-connected channels like the Playstation Store. Your disc-less console will be a digital-download central as you will not be able to use any physical copies of media on the PS5 Digital Edition.
The disc-equipped console, on the other hand, will gladly gobble up your PS5-compatible physical copies. The optical drive is also a Blu-ray player that supports 4K video. The PS5 disc console widens the scope of home entertainment that you can enjoy with family and friends, including DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
The PS5 Digital Edition sports a disc drive that defiles the console’s symmetry with an off-putting side bulge and conspicuous optical-drive slot.
Many have joked that the PS5 disc version looks like it’s ready to give birth in a few months.
Conversely, the Digital Edition is sleeker and more symmetrical than its counterpart with its “snatched” waist. The curved white shell that drapes the black core modernizes the console design. With that said, the Digital Edition is arguably more visually appealing than its disc-equipped sibling.
“How much does the PS5 Digital Edition cost?” many wonder. The PS5 Digital Edition costs 399.99. The standard PS5 with a disc drive costs 499.99. The disc-drive PS5 matches the price of the Xbox Series X.
The digital version of the PS5 is 100 more than the Xbox Series S, the Series X’s more affordable, all-digital option. However, it’s worth noting that the digital PS5 is essentially the same as the standard PS5; it simply lacks a disc drive. The Xbox Series S, on the other hand, is geared toward money-conscious gamers who are willing to sacrifice top-of-the-line specs to shell out less money out of their bank accounts.
Who should buy the Digital Edition PS5?
If our breakdown of design, price and more still has your head spinning about which PS5 system you should purchase, we’ve rounded up an illuminating list of who would best benefit from the PS5 Digital Edition console.
Your internet doesn’t suck. With the PS5 Digital Edition, you’ll be entirely dependent on your internet connection. Can it handle 100GB-plus downloads? Is it fast enough? If your internet is notorious for having connectivity issues, you may want to upgrade to a speedier network or purchase the optical-media PS5 console.
You don’t care about owning physical copies. While some traditionalists may not be ready to let go of the physical-copy gaming world, others look forward to a digital-only future. Many laptops have ditched optical drives and gaming consoles are headed toward the same path. If having a digital-only library doesn’t faze you, the Digital Edition is the perfect console for you.
You’re a stickler for symmetrical designs. Some people are finicky with designs. Some Playstation loyalists don’t care what the console looks like, but others will fuss if the design doesn’t align with their tastes. Many have voiced an aversion to the disc-equipped console’s bulging optical drive. As a result, they’ll be opting for the Digital Edition for its sleeker, symmetrical design.
You want to save some money. The Digital Edition PS5 is 100 cheaper than its disc-equipped counterpart with a 399 price tag.
Who should buy the PS5 disc console?
The advantage of the disc-equipped PS5 is that you’re not stuck with one way of downloading your games — you can choose between snagging a physical copy or downloading it digitally. Here are the folks who’d get the most out of a standard PS5:
You don’t want total internet reliance. If you don’t want to rely on your spotty Internet connection to download games, consider getting the disc-equipped PS5.
You own a swath of popular PlayStation 4 discs. The PS5 has limited backwards compatibility — it will support “almost all” of the top 100 most-played PlayStation 4 games. So if you want to sink your teeth into some nostalgic gaming on your new console, get the disc-equipped PS5.
You have a DVD and Blu-ray collection. Every now and then, you may want to wipe the dust off your DVD collection and watch a movie or two. You won’t be able to do that with the Digital Edition, so if you prefer a console that can support gaming, DVDs and Blu-ray, the standard PS5 will be the best choice for you.
You love getting collector’s edition game packages. Some gamers love getting their hands on collector’s edition packages, which can feature audio soundtracks and behind-the-scenes DVD footage.- media goodies you won’t be able to use on PS5’s Digital Edition model.
You’re a traditionalist who enjoys tactile satisfaction. Traditionalists prefer physical copies, in part, because of the tactile satisfaction of reading through game manuals, running their fingers over a visually pleasing poster and zapping the CD into the optical drive.
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition availability
Now that both the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition have launched, they’re selling out at a shocking speed. At the moment, your best chance to get a PS5 probably lies with Walmart, as the company is holding three sales today at 12pm PT (3pm ET), 3pm PT (6pm ET), and 6pm PST (9pm ET).
However, this beckons the ultimate question: which console is easiest to order at the moment? As far as demand goes, the standard PS5 is most highly sought after, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the PS5 Digital Edition is easier to purchase,
Ars Technica reports that a number of retailers across the United States are only carrying one PS5 Digital Edition for every three or four standard PS5’s out there. This essentially means that the chances of the PS5 Digital Edition selling out are far greater, so if you’re desperate for a shiny new PS5, you’ll have the best luck purchasing the standard edition.
If you’re willing to wait a month or two, the PS5 Digital Edition will likely be in higher stock, allowing you to order one comfortably.
Bottom line
To wrap up this PS5 vs. PS5 Digital face-off, the PS5 Digital Edition is for audacious gamers who are ready to dive in — head first — into our imminent, digital-only future of gaming.
The standard PS5 model, on the other hand, is best for folks who aren’t quite ready to commit to an optical drive-absent system. And on the plus side, gamers with the disc-equipped console can download games through two channels: digitally and physically.
Both the standard model and the Digital Edition are flying off the shelves. If you need help in securing a disc-equipped PS5 or Digital Edition PS5, check out our PS5 availability tracking page.
