PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: What is the difference between Sony’s next-gen consoles?
Sony’s PS5 is confirmed to launch this November, but to make your buying decision that little bit harder it will be launching two different models: the standard PS5, and a digital-only edition that lacks the 4K Blu-Ray disk drive.
Following the recent PS5 showcase, we also now know the prices for each console, with the full-fat PS5 priced at £449.99 and the digital-only model costing a far more affordable £359.99.
It doesn’t look like there will be any other differences between the two machines, with both consoles also set for the same UK release date on 19 November. For instance, if we’re having to rely solely upon downloads, will the Digital Edition come with a larger SSD inside? Possibly upping the sub 1TB drive that was previously said to be inside the PS5.
Related: Best PS5 games
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: Spot the difference
Another thing to note is that you’re not just losing access to physical games, but movies too. The PS5 packs a UHD Blu-Ray player for playing back 4K UHD discs, something that was missing on the PS4 Pro. If you’re seriously into 4K media, and don’t want to be stuck with streaming, we’d suggest plumping for the version with a disc drive.
The only other information about whether these consoles will differ comes from the photos. Both have the same design, come in a white and black colour and are paired with a DualSense controller. Losing the disc drive does make the Digital Edition look slimmer, and we suspect lighter too, though this hasn’t been confirmed. Both consoles also seem to pack a USB-A and USB-C port on the front.
Related: PS5 vs Xbox Series X
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition – Early Thoughts
Having a digital-only PS5 makes a lot of sense, especially since it’s £90 cheaper than the standard model. That does mean you have to be dependant on digital sales however, and you probably won’t be able to play any of your current PS4 disks for backwards compatibility.
A 4K Blu-Ray is also very useful for watching movies, which only may be a good reason to justify the price jump. But at the end of the day, it’s up to personal preference which console is the best option. Whichever you choose, you’ll be getting a true next-gen performance for all your favourite PlayStation game series.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
