The latest Playstation console is available in two versions: the Playstation 5 and the Playstation 5 Digital Edition. Here is all the information you need to know before making your choice.
The differences between PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition
The main difference between these two editions is the presence or not of the 4k Blu-Ray player. The PS5 comes with one, which is not the case for the Digital Edition. This can be seen in the latter’s design, which is thinner and lighter. However, it imposes a new constraint since the games can only be downloaded and will require a Playstation Network account. Once purchased, the games will be downloaded onto the console’s SSD hard drive, and you will be able to erase them and then re-download them if you run out of space.
Finally, you should know that the presence or absence of a Blu-Ray drive impacts the retail price, which drops from 499$ for the PS5 to 399$ for the Digital Edition, even if other promotions can bring the bill down further.
Equal performance
Beyond the Blu-Ray player, there is no difference between the Playstation 5 editions in terms of performance. You’ll be able to play in all cases with 4k definition at 60 or even 120 fps, enjoy the same connectivity, the same storage capacities (825 GB free), and of course, the same games. The most expected are Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Destruction AllStars, Spider-Man Miles Morales (with two editions), SackBoy, Ratchet & Clank, Dirt 5, or Cyberpunk 2077. These are in addition to Playstation’s signature game pass, the PS+ Collection, which will allow you to enjoy many of the titles that made the PS4 so popular, such as The Last of Us, God of War, and Uncharted 4.
PS5: which model to choose?
The Digital Edition is intended for gamers who have a solid internet connection, given the weight of the games and the high frequency of updates. For example, we know that Spider-Man Miles Morales Ultimate Edition alone will weigh more than 100 GB, which is in line with the size of the PS5’s SSD and its 825 GB. So, if you want to enjoy all the games whenever you want, you’ll have to rely on an external storage solution pretty quickly to avoid having to juggle downloads. When making your choice, you should finally take into account the price difference of 100 dollars which is a strong argument for this version.
If you have a slow connection, or if you prefer to have your games in their physical version, the PS5 with Blu-Ray player will be your only option. Moreover, if you are used to exchanging your games with your friends in order to try as many of them as possible, you should know that you will not be able to do so with the digital versions that, by definition, are attached to your account.
The purchase price, connection speed, storage constraints, game transfer… these are the criteria you’ll have to compare in order to make the right choice and make the most of the Playstation 5’s exceptional performance.