By CE Critic - Buy Better Tech
As the holiday season nears, Sony has announced a new PS5 model, and while the excitement is palpable, a closer look reveals it's a rather meh announcement. The tech giant is releasing a slimmer PS5, but it comes with its share of disappointments, including the fact that the Ultra HD Blu-ray Drive is now sold separately and a mere 1TB of storage for 4K HDR/Dolby Vision movies and games.
Smaller Form Factor, But at What Cost?
The new PS5 model boasts a more compact design, with a 30% reduction in volume and an 18% lighter frame. While a sleeker design is always a plus, the question is, does it come at the cost of functionality? The new model comes equipped with a 1TB SSD, which is the standard internal storage. In an era of 4K HDR/Dolby Vision movies and graphically demanding games, is 1TB of storage enough?
Ultra HD Blu-ray Drive Sold Separately – Seriously?
One of the glaring disappointments with this announcement is the decision to sell the Ultra HD Blu-ray Drive separately. The attachable drive will set you back $79.99 USD | 119.99 EURO | 99.99 GBP | 11,980 JPY. It feels like a bit of a cash grab, and for gamers who were hoping for a one-stop solution for physical and digital media, this is a letdown.
Underwhelming Price Points
Sony's pricing for the new PS5 model might raise a few eyebrows. Here's a breakdown:
- U.S.
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – $499.99 USD
- PS5 Digital Edition – $449.99 USD
- Europe
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – €549.99 EUR
- PS5 Digital Edition – €449.99 EUR
- U.K.
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – £479.99 GBP
- PS5 Digital Edition – £389.99 GBP
- Japan
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥66,980 JPY (includes tax)
- PS5 Digital Edition – ¥59,980 JPY (includes tax)
Compared to the previous PS5 pricing, the new model isn't exactly a steal. While the PS5 Digital Edition's price remains competitive, those who want the physical media option will have to shell out a little more.
What's Missing: Vertical Stand and Customization
The package for the new PS5 model doesn't come with a vertical stand. If you want one, it's available for an additional $29.99 USD | 29.99 EURO | 24.99 GBP | 3,980 JPY. This feels like another instance where additional costs are tacked onto an already expensive gaming console.
Furthermore, customization options are rather limited. While the promise of PS5 Console Covers is intriguing, you'll have to wait until early 2024 for that, and additional colors will be released in the future. So, for those looking to make their console truly unique, you'll have to wait a while.
Looking Ahead: Gaming Lineup
In Sony's defense, the company is highlighting an impressive lineup of games on the horizon. Titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are set to release soon, along with other recent titles. For gamers, these upcoming releases might be the silver lining in an otherwise underwhelming announcement.
While the sleeker design and the promise of great games are enticing, the new PS5 model doesn't quite deliver on the fronts that matter most to consumers: storage capacity and cost. Sony's decision to sell the Ultra HD Blu-ray Drive separately is a letdown for those hoping for a more integrated experience. As the holiday season approaches, prospective buyers will need to weigh the pros and cons of this new PS5 model carefully.
