It's been nearly four years since Sony's next-generation gaming console hit shelves, and it's certainly come a long way since then.
The PS5 Slim has succeeded the original model – once stock of the original PS5 is gone, it won't be replaced. While the PS5 Slim follows the original in coming in two models – the standard version with a disc drive, and a Digital Edition that can only stream or download content – it has a rather cool trick. If you opt for the Digital Edition and later decide that actually, you would rather be able to play discs as well, you can add a disc drive as a separate accessory.
Buying the Digital Edition plus separate disc drive can be more expensive than buying the standard model (though only marginally), so it's not as simple a decision as it first seems. Which should you buy? Read on to find out...
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PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: price and availability
The standard PlayStation 5 debuted at £449 / $499 / AU$749. But in August 2022 Sony announced price hikes in the UK and Australia. The PS5 now goes for £480 / $500 / AU$800.
The disc-less PS5 Digital Edition is the cheaper option here. It started at £359 / $399 / AU$599 but Sony's August 2022 prices rises have nudged that up to £390 / $400 / AU$650.
Pricing the Digital Edition cheaper than the 'full-fat' PS5 mirrors the approach has taken with its Xbox Series X and all-digital Xbox Series S. After all, if you're getting less functionality you should pay less, right?
The PS5 Slim has succeeded both models – in its Disc Edition and Digital Edition iterations – at the same prices. The disc drive add-on costs £100 / $80 / $159. That makes buying the Digital Edition plus disc drive £10 / AU$9 more expensive than buying the Disc Edition in the first place, though in the US it's $20 cheaper. Go figure.
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PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: design and build
The PS5 is an imposing machine (39 x 26 x 14cm). The main difference between the two models, looks-wise, is that one has a disc drive and one doesn't. Consequently, the Digital Edition is 12mm slimmer towards the base and around half a kilo lighter.
In August 2022, it emerged that Sony had quietly refreshed the design of both PS5 consoles. The updated disc model weighs in at 3.9kg, much lighter than the 4.5kg launch version. This seems to be down to a number of internal changes to the motherboard, as well as the cooling and SSD enclosure. The latest disc-less version now weighs 3.4kg, instead of 3.9kg, while the Digital Edition Slim model tips the scales at just 2.6kg.
Overall, the Slim model is 30 per cent smaller and 24 per cent or 18 per cent lighter, depending if you opt for the version that includes the disc drive.
All versions of PS5 have a sculpted, sci-fi look to them and can be vertically rather than horizontally (you'll have to unscrew and reposition the included pedestal stand, mind). They have the same distinctive design elements too, namely a high, white-collared shell that's separated from the black body of the unit by finned gaps to aid ventilation.
Talking of which, the PS5 is not completely inaudible in a silent room (like the Xbox Series X), but the consistent whirr is quiet enough to be drowned out by any sound coming from your TV or sound system.
In terms of the PS5's disc drive, we'd peg it at about 5dB quieter than the Xbox, so opting for Sony's most expensive next-gen console won't intrude on your movie soundtrack.
The user interface, which includes a new home screen with game ‘cards’, is fresh, super-stylish, logical and snappy. It's also familiar enough to ensure that existing PS4 gamers can quickly find their way about.
All in all, the PS5's is a striking design that has split opinion. But we like it.
PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: specs
In a post on the official PlayStation blog, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan confirmed that both PS5 consoles share identical power and features, including 4K graphics, ray-tracing support and PS5 3D audio. So, "whichever PS5 you choose, you’ll enjoy the same breathtaking, next-gen gaming experiences".
Spec-wise, both PS5 consoles feature the same AMD Zen 2-based CPU, the same 16GB GDDR6 / 256-bit memory, and the same 825GB SSD. The way Sony has designed and integrated the PS5’s storage makes it so fast (more than twice as fast as that of the Series X) that it boosts overall console performance.
The Slim model gets a slight spec bump – storage is 1TB, while it replaces the front USB-A port with a newer USB-C one, making for two front USB-Cs.
All models of PS5 lack an 8K output option. Instead, silky-smooth 4K at 60Hz is the performance target, with 120Hz available via some games, sometimes at the cost of resolution and/or certain graphical features. In April 2022, Sony boosted the PS5's appeal by adding VRR (variable refresh rate), which reduces screen tearing and smoothes out gameplay.
In July 2022, Sony went further, adding native 1440p support, bringing the PS5 in line with the Xbox Series X and Series S, which have supported 1440p since launch.
In terms of games, you can able to transfer most PS4 games to PS5 and in most cases, enjoy free upgrades such as increased frame rates. However it's worth noting that to do this you'll need to use the PS5's disc drive to transfer the game discs to the next-gen console. The PS5 doesn't support your old PS1, PS2 and PS3 titles, either.
Eyeing up the PS5 as an entertainment hub as well as a games machine? The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are a great choice. They now support Netflix, Disney Plus (now with 4K HDR), Apple TV, Spotify, Twitch, BBC iPlayer, YouTube (now with HDR10), Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, Disney Plus, HBO Max and PlayStation Video. As per the rumours, Apple Music arrived on the PS5 in October 2021.
One disappointment is the PS5's lack of high-end HDR support. Neither model supports Dolby Vision video, though Dolby Atmos sound arrived in September 2023. Here's how to get the best picture and sound from your PlayStation 5.
On a more positive note, both PS5 and PS5 Digital offer Sony's proprietary 'gold standard' 3D audio technology. The PS5's 3D Audio engine, 'Tempest', produces open, spacious and atmospheric sound with good placement of effects. And although Dolby Atmos isn't an option for games, it is for the PS5 Disc Edition, which can do a very good job of Dolby Atmos soundtracks when given the chance. It doesn’t quite have the crispness of a dedicated player, but it does produce a room-filling sound with good clarity.
The PS5 also supports "Hey PlayStation" voice commands, Sony's latest Party Chat feature, so you can open/close voice chats with friends. Both the disc and digital PS5s are compatible with the DualSense Wireless Controller, and the DualSense Edge controller.
Based on spec, PS5 Digital Edition will appeal to those gamers and streamers who are happy to ditch physical game discs but who don't want to sacrifice performance. If, on the other hand, you have a collection of 4K Blu-ray discs, the pricier PS5 could be for you.
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PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: verdict
Given that the only differences between the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are the presence of a disc drive and price, which console is right for you will really come down to whether you can live without disc support.
If you want your games console at the heart of your entertainment set up, to frequently double as a disc player, you'll likely want the full-fat PS5. If you use your console purely for gaming, however, or have a speedy and robust internet connection for streaming and downloading and can cope with storing games digitally rather than on disc, the Digital Edition could save you a fair bit of money.
Of course, you could always save money by opting for a disc drive-less model for now, and then configure your console with one later down the line.
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