[Last updated 13/11/2020]
The time has come for video game companies to release their next-gen consoles. The PlayStation 5 has officially released, and even beforehand Sony had unveiled lots of information in the previous weeks and months. With all the news and information floating around, it can be difficult to sort through everything.
Looking to see if the PS5 is the right console for you? Or just reading up on all the latest specs and console info? We've complied a list of all the top questions people are asking about the PlayStation 5 and given the most thorough answers possible.
The PlayStation 5 is Sony's next-gen console. There's a standard version of the PS5, and an all-digital version that's priced slightly less. Sony is promising the PS5 will have seamless load times, incredible speed, and a wide variety of exclusive games. It's an entertainment system for the next decade of gaming.
What Does The PS5 Look Like?
The PlayStation 5 is a mostly white console that some people have jokingly compared to a WiFi router. Most of Sony's promotional materials for the PS5 have it placed vertically. However, the console will also work laying horizontally (shown in the picture above). The white console is a departure from the typically black PlayStation consoles of years past, although rumors of an all-black PS5 console have been around for a while.
How Much Does the PS5 Cost?
There are currently two versions of Sony's PlayStation 5. The standard PS5 is priced at $499.99, which puts it at the exact same price as its main competitor, the Xbox Series X. The all-digital version of the PS5 is priced slightly lower at $399.99. That puts it $100 more than the all-digital Xbox Series S. Based on previous comments from Sony and PlayStation, the standard version of the PS5 is their flagship console, and the company is definitely emphasizing that one more.
What Is The Release Date For The PS5?
The PlayStation 5 released on November 12th, 2020, for the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. The PS5 releases on November 19th, 2020, for the UK and the rest of the world. Pre-orders started on September 16th, with most retailers selling out almost instantly. It was a chaotic 24-hours than Sony has since apologized for.
Restocks are expected, but Sony previously announced the PlayStation 5 will release in waves for those who pre-ordered the console directly from PlayStation's website. The first wave releases in November as expected, with major retailers like Walmart having available stock on launch day.
What Is The Price Of The PS5?
The answer to this question may be slightly different than just how much the PlayStation 5 will cost. The MSRB price of the standard PS5 is $499.99, with the cost of the PS5 Digital Version being $399.99. However, in previous years, Sony has offered bundles of its latest consoles in time for Black Friday deals and the holidays. Consumers could reasonably expect bundles and some minor discounts around the Thanksgiving and Holiday 2020 time periods. Although, nothing official from Sony concerning deals, bundles, or price cuts has been announced at this time, Best Buy has promoted restocks for the PS5 to headline their Black Friday 2020.
What Are The Specs For The PS5?
The PlayStation 5 comes with a lot of impressive specs and features, including an SSD for ray-tracing and fast loading. There's also a built-in 4K Blu-Ray player in the standard version. Both versions of the PlayStation 5 have an AMD Zen 2-based U with 8 cores at 3.5 GHz. They also come with a custom RDNA 2 AMD GPU, which can put out 10.28 teraflops worth of processing power. Both consoles feature 16 GB of GDDR6 memory as well.
The PS5 also has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB per second, and a custom 825 GB SSD for internal storage. The consoles come with Tempest 3D AudioTech, and optional expandable storage is possible through an NVMe SSD slot. Beyond that, the specs differ based on whether consumers buy the standard PS5 or the PS5 Digital Edition.
What Is The Difference Between The PS5 And The PS5 Digital Edition?
There are several main difference between the standard PS5 and the PS5 Digital Edition. The first is purely aesthetic. The all-digital edition of the PS5 is a bit slimmer (see above photo). The reason for this leads to the second difference in the two consoles. The standard version of the PS5 comes with a 4K Blu-Ray disk drive, which is why it's a bit bigger. The PS5 Digital Edition doesn't have the disk disc, since it's an all-digital console. This means game discs will only work on the standard $499.99 PlayStation 5 console.
The power between the two consoles are also slightly different. The standard PS5's power is at 350W while the PS5 Digital Edition's power is 340W. And for anyone wondering, the all-digital console also weighs about half a kilogram less than the standard version.
What Are The PS5 Accessories?
The two versions of the PlayStation 5 consoles are shipping with the console itself and one DualSense Wireless controller, as well as a base (and a screw to secure the base to the PS5), an HDMI cable, an AC power cord, a USB cable, and an instruction manual. However, there are several PS5 accessories available. Additional DualSense Wireless controllers can be purchased for $69.99. A DualSense charging station, which allows two controllers to be charged at one time, is also available and priced at $29.99.
Sony is also offering a Media Remote, which will allow people to conveniently navigate the entertainment apps on the PS5. The remote comes with quick buttons for Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube. The remote will also allow people to adjust the volume settings with compatible TVs. The Media Remote is priced at $29.99.
The PS5 accessories don't stop there, either. There's also an HD Camera available in black or white. The camera has dual lenses for 1080p capture, a built-in stand, and offers background removal. The built-in stand can be clipped above or below a TV, and can be adjusted to match the 's height. The HD Camera is priced at $59.99, but PSVR s will need the old PS4 camera to keep playing VR for now. There's also a PULSE 3D Wireless Headset, priced at $99.99, that comes in both black or white. The headset comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, background noise-cancelling microphone, and a 3.5 mm jack that allows it to be plugged into phones and VR headsets.
Will A Mouse And Keyboard Work On PS5?
A mouse and keyboard will work on the PlayStation 5, but the features are a bit complicated. Sony says the PS5 doesn't officially keyboard and mouse, even though some work on the PlayStation 5. The PS5 has USB ports, meaning a USB mouse and keyboard should work fine. Official being excluded probably just means the company isn't selling officially licensed PS5 keyboards and mouses (yet).
What Are SSDs And How Much Do SSDs Cost?
SSDs are solid-state drives which use flash-based memory and replace typical mechanical hard disks. The PS5 comes with a custom 825 GB SSD hard drive at launch. That's a lot of memory, but there are still ways to expand storage space even more. s can do this through external hard drives, or by using a Sony-approved SSD.
SSDs are fairly expensive, so people can expect to pay anywhere from $70-$200 for one with adequate memory. For now, Sony's custom SSD is the only one approved for the PS5, and there are no officially ed SSDs available at launch. Over time, expect to find other SSDs available, but make sure it's Sony-certified to guarantee it will work with the PlayStation 5.
What Kind Of TV Works Best For The PS5?
Because the PS5 is the latest in video game tech, many people are wondering what TV is best for getting the most out of their gaming experience. The PlayStation 5 fully s native 4K, although the console can even go up to 8K on select titles. However, it's worth noting that very few developers will take advantage of 8K right now, so it may not be worth shelling out money for an 8K TV just yet.
However, a 4K TV is a great idea for those who don't own one already and want to get the most out of their PS5 gaming experience. Thankfully, 4K televisions aren't too expensive now. So, anyone looking to grab one and get a great deal could purchase a 42-inch 4K TV for around $200 or so.
