Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced a new model of its PlayStation 5 (PS5) game console that will be available in Japan from November 10, 2023. The new model is physically smaller than the original PS5, but has a larger memory capacity of 1.5 terabytes (TB). The new model also features a removable disc drive that can be purchased separately.
A Smaller and Lighter PS5
The new PS5 model is 15% smaller and 20% lighter than the original PS5, which was launched in November 2020. The new model measures 34.8 cm x 9.2 cm x 26 cm and weighs 3.6 kg, compared to the original model’s 39 cm x 10.4 cm x 26 cm and 4.5 kg. The new model also has a redesigned stand that can be attached to the console horizontally or vertically.
The new PS5 model has the same hardware specifications as the original PS5, such as an AMD Ryzen Zen 2 CPU, an AMD Radeon RDNA 2 GPU, and a custom SSD. However, the new model has a larger memory capacity of 1.5 TB, compared to the original model’s 825 gigabytes (GB). This means that users can store more games and data on the console without having to delete or transfer them.
A Removable Disc Drive
The new PS5 model also features a removable disc drive that can be attached or detached from the console. The disc drive can play Blu-ray discs and DVDs, as well as PS5 and PS4 games that are compatible with the PS5. The disc drive also supports the PS VR headset, which requires a camera adapter to connect to the PS5.
The disc drive is sold separately from the console, and users can choose whether to buy it or not depending on their preference. The disc drive costs 9,980 yen (about $90), while the console itself costs 49,980 yen (about $450) for the standard edition and 39,980 yen (about $360) for the digital edition. The digital edition does not have a disc drive slot and can only play digital games downloaded from the PlayStation Store.
A Competitive Move by Sony
The launch of the new PS5 model is seen as a competitive move by Sony to boost its sales and market share in the gaming industry. The PS5 has been facing a global shortage of supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the semiconductor chip crisis, which have affected its production and distribution. The PS5 has also been facing stiff competition from its rival, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S, which was launched at the same time as the PS5 in November 2020.
By releasing a new PS5 model that is smaller, lighter, and more affordable than the original PS5, Sony hopes to attract more customers and increase its customer satisfaction. The new PS5 model also offers more flexibility and customization for users who can choose whether to use a disc drive or not. The new PS5 model also has a larger memory capacity that can accommodate more games and data.
The new PS5 model will be available in Japan from November 10, 2023, and will be released in other regions at a later date. Sony has not announced when the new PS5 model will be available in other countries, but it is expected that it will be released before the end of this year or early next year.
