And the Digital Edition allows you to connect an optical drive
Sony has just unexpectedly unveiled its new PlayStation 5 gaming consoles.
These are not PS5 Pro, but models that could be called PS5 Slim. But Sony itself does not call them that, saying only that these are more compact versions of the PS5.
It is difficult to understand from the images how much more compact the new items are since the design remains almost the same. But in fact, the volume decreased very significantly: by 30%. In addition, the new consoles are 18 and 24% lighter than the original ones, depending on the version.
To be more precise, the dimensions of the new PS5 Digital Edition are 358 × 80 × 216 mm versus 390 × 92 × 260 mm for the now old version. In the case of the regular PS5, the dimensions have decreased from 390 × 104 × 260 mm to 358 × 96 × 216 mm.
In addition to the reduction in size, there are several other changes. For example, the SSD capacity has increased to 1 TB. This applies to both modifications. In addition, as all the rumors claimed, it became possible to buy a console without an optical drive, and then buy this same drive separately and install it in the console. It’s just that the rumors were wrong in how it was implemented.
New Sony PlayStation 5 game consoles presented. They are much more compact and lighter
It was believed that Sony would release only one updated model without a drive, and the drive itself could be purchased and connected via USB if desired. In practice, there is an older PS5 with its drive, and there is a PS5 Digital Edition without one. And for the latter, you can later buy a drive that is installed inside the console. At the same time, part of the side panel changes, turning the console into a regular PS5 both in capabilities and design. True, the drive will cost $80.
As for prices, everything is somewhat confusing. Firstly, if we talk about the USA, the younger version costs $450, and the older version costs $500. That is, the Digital Edition went up in price by $50 after the update, but the regular PS5 did not rise in price. And the difference is now only $50, which makes buying the younger version not particularly justified.
Secondly, in Europe the situation is different. The Digital Edition starts at 450 euros, but the regular PS5 costs 550 euros. The reason for this approach to pricing is unclear, but it turns out that in Europe the savings when purchasing a PS5 DE are significantly higher. And the same drive in Europe costs 120 euros. Additionally, the new PS5 vertical stand will be sold separately for $30.
As for performance and all other characteristics, they have not changed at all. The APU in the new set-top boxes may have switched to a new process technology, but Sony is not talking about this.
Sales of the updated consoles will start in November.
