Now isn't the best time to buy a PS5, so know what you're in for first. The PS5 isn't as good of a buy today as it was early in its life, with systems more than half a decade old costing more now than they did at release. Both the PS5 and upgraded PS5 Pro are great systems, but neither represents decent value for money right now, especially when the launch window for a Play Station 6 is unknown.
Sony won't put games on discs starting in 2028, meaning when the PS6 eventually comes out, it won't support physical games. Sony is seemingly doubling down on killing disc-based media going forward, per reporting that the UBP-X700/K will be the last 4K Blu-ray player the company manufactures. As of 2028, Sony will end the Play Station's legacy as a true media hub.
That's frustrating given how many past consoles made strides in this area. The PS2's DVD playback was a huge part of its enormous popularity, while the PS3 was one of the most affordable Blu-ray players of its time. GTA VI will just be a code in a box if you buy the 'physical' version, for example.
Soon, there won't be an option to loan games to friends or take advantage of in-store sales. Not only are the two launch models, supercharged Pro and svelte PS5 Slim not cheap, all four machines are significantly more expensive than when they first launched. When the original disc drive Play Station 5 and cheaper Digital Edition launched in North America on November 12, 2020, their respective $499 and $399 price tags were pretty reasonable.
Want to pick up either the disc drive PS5 or discless version now? It will cost you $649 for the disc-equipped system, or $599 if you don't care about physical games. That means the PS5 is now 30 percent (disc) and 50 percent (digital) more expensive than in 2020. At least the disc model has 1TB of storage compared to 825GB at launch, though the Digital Slim has dropped to the lower storage amount again.
The PS5 Pro has seen its own increases. When the beefed-up console launched in Nov 7 2024, it cost $699. Now, it will put a massive $899 dent in your bank balance -- if you can find one.
We're in the middle of a PS5 Pro shortage because people are desperate for a mythic GTA VI 60 fps performance mode that neither Rockstar or Sony have confirmed ahead of launch.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing