In many ways, the days of going into a games store and browsing the shelves for something new to play are behind us. We are increasingly no longer reliant on this physical store because replacing it is the on-console or online versions. For PC users, platforms like Steam have been the gold standard in digital distribution for some time, with physical media becoming less and less common in favor of the digital purchase. Console users still have a choice between a digital purchase or a physical disc purchase but with the current generation, more users are opting to make use of digital marketplaces instead of physical discs. The next generation of consoles is, in fact, giving users a choice.
As the launch of the most awaited PS5, specially here in Cosmo office, let us help you decide on which edition would be good for you. In this Cosmospecial console comparison, we’ve listed down both the pros and cons of each version.
What is the Difference?
The PlayStation 5 will offer two versions of the console – one without a disc drive and one which retains it. Quite simply, the difference between these two versions is in the disc drive.
The first option, the standard PS5 edition, will still include a disc drive in it, which is a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive. The second, the PS5 Digital Edition has a slightly smaller profile and sleeker look owing to it not having to make space for a disc drive at all.
How Will This Affect You?
When we do a direct console comparison, the only users that will be affected will be those opting for the disc-free PS5 Digital Edition. This is because users of the console will be limited to digital only purchases of their games. That might not sound like much of a drawback since digital games are more convenient anyway, but if your console is in the living room and you use it to play Blu-ray movies, you might want to consider the standard edition. Sony also notes that if you have existing disc-based games and you want to take advantage of the backwards compatibility of the PS5 to play your PS4 titles, you won’t be able to use them on the PS5 Digital Edition because there isn’t a way to convert your disc based game to a digital one.
Which One Should You Buy?
This is actually quite an easy question to answer.
You’ll pay less for the PS5 Digital Edition, which is set to cost $399, while the disc-drive carrying standard PS5 will set you back $100 more at $499. If a majority of your games are already digital or you’re not going to want to play the games you own on disc already, the digital version makes the most sense for you.
However, if you want the option to play PS4 games on disc or have the option to buy disc-based games as well as watch Blu-ray movies, you’ll want to splash out the extra cash on the standard PS5 edition. Don’t forget that many games are offering a free upgrade from the PS4 to the PS5 version, so take this into account when you choose a console.
