More than a year since its launch The PS5 is just as well-loved as ever, despite it not being easy to find on the market. It’s not without reason since it’s a great gaming system, offering an incredible leap forward in technology over the PS4. PS4.
The PS5 provides 4K gaming It also has incredibly modern haptics, a powerful SSD, and a resonant 3-D sound. The above and more make up the PS5 as a console fully-equipped with the latest technology, or present-day gaming. There’s a small limitation in the fact that the console is massive and won’t appeal to every player. It’s still a great console worth tracking for the PS5 to restock for.
PS5 SPECS
Price: $499 (standard), $399 (Digital Edition)
CPU:3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
GPU10.3 Teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
RAM: 16GB GDDR6
Storage:Custom 825GB SSD
Expander: NVMe M.2 SSD slot
Drive for discs:4K Blu-ray player
Dimension:15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches
Weight: 9.9 pounds
PS5 SPECS
Price: $499 (standard), $399 (Digital Edition)
CPU:3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
GPU10.3 Teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
RAM: 16GB GDDR6
Storage:Custom 825GB SSD
Expander: NVMe M.2 SSD slot
Drive for discs:4K Blu-ray player
Dimension:15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches
Weight: 9.9 pounds
It’s important to note that the PS5 is very difficult to purchase. The retail stock has been moving quickly in and out Be sure to save our PS5 Restock guide, and then check out the retailers’ links below.
PS5 restock tracker — retailer links
PS5 review Design
The subject has been discussed for ages and the PS5 is an absolutely massive piece of equipment. PlayStation’s 15.4 10x 10.2 inches x 4.1-inch console is larger than any gaming device that’s launched in the last decade such as PS4 Slim and the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro. It’s also larger than the new rival that’s the Xbox Series X and makes the Xbox Series S look like the look of a toy for kids.
The massive chassis allows the PS5 to deliver an impressive performance while remaining relatively cool and peaceful (which we’ll get into in the future) However, the massive dimensions of this new PlayStation could pose a problem for people with smaller space for entertainment.
If you’re not planning to place the PS5 on the ground it will likely require the table to be a separate one in case you intend to stand it vertically. I was able to place the PS5 within my entertainment center in a horizontal direction however it was just barely. Therefore, it is important to assess the size of your space prior to setting up a PS5 at home.
Regarding orientation, the PS5 has a detachable stand that lets you place the massive console either vertically or horizontally. The stand is screwed into the lower part of the console when in the vertical position (the PS5 includes a screw however, there is no tool to screw into it) and is then clamped to the rear port of the PS5 when it is in horizontal mode.
It would be nice if PS5 had tools for increasing the base, however, I was able to get it done in a short experience using a coin to connect and take it off. The unit is sturdy in a vertical orientation with the base in place but I found the base very finicky when it was in horizontal mode. It took me several attempts to make it lay flat and securely against the bottom. I finally managed to get the PS5 to stand on my entertainment center horizontally however, the fact that it fell off the base quickly if it wasn’t placed precisely gives me tension.
However, I’m likely to keep this PS5 in horizontal mode throughout my time using it as I’m concerned about being prone to tipping over the high-height chassis while it’s at my desk (especially when my nephews who are hyperactive are playing).
The PlayStation 5’s striking modern design has been the topic of many debates since its unveiling and I have mixed views about the design. I think the console is a snazzy large cable modem when sitting vertically due to its sharp white sides and the asymmetrical bulk that is added due to the Blu-ray player.
However, I’ve grown happy with the way it looks standing horizontally underneath my TV, as the curves and edges appear to stand out more (even when it’s an equidistant Barclays Center). I like the stylish LED status lights on every aspect of the inside. It is both more slick and noticeable than the status lights in the PS4. Also, the small and obscured PlayStation controller icons on the interior panels are an excellent addition. It’s either a good thing or a bad thing It’s a great console. PS5 is a system that is packed with attention-to-detail and has a unique design, unlike any console we’ve seen previously.
From Dec. 13th, 2021 you’ll be able to buy officially licensed PS5 covers that will alter the appearance on the faceplates of PS5 consoles. They won’t change the console’s overall appearance however, at minimum, you won’t be stuck with a white-colored scheme.
PS5 review PS5 review: Ports and expansion
The PS5 comes with a typical set of ports, including some modern features. There’s a high-speed USB Type-A port in the front, along with the USB SuperSpeed Type-C port. It’s great to see consoles finally have USB-C connectivity straight in the first place particularly to connect modern devices as well as storage devices.
At the back of the TV, there are 2 SuperSpeed USB-A ports as well as an Ethernet connector as well as another HDMI 2.1 port, and an adapter for AC. (See the top games TVs for suggestions of TVs that support HDMI 2.1.) The PS5 has been deprived of the optical audio port of the PS4 that could be a snub for people who own high-end audio equipment with optical connections. Some companies already offer optical-to-HDMI splitters, like Astro which has the Astro A20 headset.
If you’re looking to expand on the PS5’s 825GB SSD storage, you can use the PCle 4.0 M.2 expansion slots, which you can access through the console’s opening. It is important to note that there are some limitations to this slot. If you want to use it, not all SSDs are supported. You must choose one that meets Sony’s very rigorous specifications for support, like Samsung 980 Pro, Western Digital SN850, Samsung 980 Pro, or the soon-to-be Sony-made Nextorage M.2 NVMe SSD.
When it was first launched it was not able to expand. However, the most recent PS5 firmware update unlocks it and lets users add an additional SSD to store more data. We tried the procedure for ourselves when this feature is at the time of beta testing and got the results with great satisfaction.
Its SSD expansion slot offers the PS5 an additional arrow in its arsenal against Xbox Series X. In addition to the internal storage, Microsoft’s console is a matter of purchasing a costly custom SSD card, while Sony’s SSD expansion option allows you to select from a range of third-party models, which vary in cost. The PS5 is also compatible with conventional external hard drives, however, only to carry over all of your online PS4 games or save data.
PS5 Review: Interface
Its PS5 interface is a clean elegant and quick improvement over PS4’s interface. PS4 software. Moving between games and browsing menus feels effortless and fast, to the point that the PS4 menus are now lagging and unorganized in contrast. There are, however, some things I’d like to see included in PS5’s PS5 menu, this also introduces an exciting new way to navigate to the game you’re playing much faster.
The home screen will appear similar to PS4 owners, featuring a horizontal row of tiles that showcase your latest games. If you choose to highlight a game, that game’s artwork will fill the entire screen, while the music plays in the background. It is an attractive aesthetic feature. There’s an excellent Explore tab that displays information and updates, and the Game Library tab that allowed me to immediately download the collection I have of PS4 games. Similar to PS4 the PS5 allows you to record videos and photos and stream them via YouTube or Twitch using a simple press on the create button.
I love that the PS5 software is clean and tidy overall, however, I wish there was a method to arrange the game’s folders as it is with PS4. It’s also cool to see the background change to match whatever game you’ve highlighted however, I’m not sure there’s an option to create customized wallpapers instead. (At the very least, there’s a straightforward method that can provide your PS5 an old-fashioned look that transforms it into a classic green, a red, yellow, and blue design that was seen on previous versions of the console.)
For long-time PS4 players will have to shake off some muscle memory when pressing the PlayStation button now opens a control center that allows you to switch between apps and view your friends’ profiles and notifications, track your controller’s battery, and much more at the lower right corner on your display.
It’s even better, you can personalize the control center to be able to quickly access options like the settings for your network, accessibility options, and broadcast control. It’s an improvement over the PS4’s quick menu that took up a larger portion of the screen and was not as responsive or user-friendly.
The clean and quick software is excellent however the PS5 interface comes to life once you play an online game. Clicking the PlayStation button when playing the PS5 game opens the menu for activities, which provides information about the progress of your game as well as a collection of trophies that you can pursue or an overview of the game’s activities that you can get straight into.
For instance, I was able to play through a set of tasks and side missions right within the Activities menu of Spider-Man: Miles Morales without having to search for them in the game, which would have saved me time that I’d otherwise spend navigating around Manhattan. It’s also possible to open the Activity menu within Your Game Library before you even start a game which means I could jump directly into a specific area within Astro’s Playroom without needing to navigate menus.
For someone who may not always have lots of time to play the ability to skip into a particular portion of a game on the system, the level isn’t simply valued, it’s revolutionary. Although it may appear to be an unimportant concession for some users, the Activities menu may change the ways we play games and I’m excited to see how developers can take advantage of it over the next years.
The PS5 DualSense controller might be the most cutting-edge feature of Sony’s latest console. Gamepad’s feedback haptic feature, adjustable triggers, and the built-in speaker combine to create the feeling of tactile experience that I’ve never felt while playing a game.
The DualSense is particularly impressive in Astro’s Playroom It’s a no-cost pre-installed game designed to show off what Sony’s latest controller can accomplish. In this vibrant 3D platformer, you’ll experience the gentle impact of grains of sand when you walk through the storm or feel the effortless glide when skating across ice, to mention a few instances. Anything from pulling on ropes to moving through the air in a jetpack creates an incredible amount that provides feedback to force. It’s something that you have to experience to be convinced.
If you’re considering your thoughts about PS5 DualSense and DualShock 4 contest, the latest controller is the winner in terms of sheer innovation.
The triggers that are adaptive are particularly amazing since they are more difficult to trigger according to what’s happening in the game. For instance, the triggers provided more resistance when playing as a character wearing an outfit with springs, precisely reproducing the feel of pushing downwards on the spring before releasing it. The games can also take advantage of the built-in microphone. I needed to blow air on the control to maneuver the platform of frozen ice in Astro’s Playroom.
Sackboy The Big Adventure also makes impressive use of the controller Sony makes because I felt an immediate sense of tension while walking through tall grass, thanks to constant rhythmic patterns. I could feel the vibrations moving through certain elements that the controller is used for during scenes and was enthralled by the soft taps which accompanied Sackboy moving his feet while floating through the air. Also, during the sword-based fight of Godfall, I could feel the triggers tighten up to increase the weight of the experience of slicing enemies with powerful attacks.
While playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales, I felt a few, but highly nuanced, vibrations in scenes, since the controller was able to perfectly match the glasses’ clinking or the distant stomps that Rhino’s feet make that gave tactile feedback. I also liked the slight sensation of resistance while using the triggers for a web-swing through Manhattan and the gentle buzz of electric current that came from the speaker every when I charged Miles’ Venom attacks.
Sony’s latest controller comes with an inbuilt microphone that allows you to talk with your friends even when you do not have a headset for gaming convenience. It’s a great option in the event of a need. I could have an entire conversation with my friend Marshall whom I also had using his DualSense device, and we could talk to each other perfectly using the controller’s built-in speakers. It’s still likely that you’ll need to wear a headset to listen to the chat and game audio when playing a competitive Call of Duty match, but the fact that players can chat with your others via PS5 without headsets is an excellent option.
The DualSense already has some amazing potential However, it’s only as effective as games that make use of it. Although games such as Astro’s Playroom, Spider-Man, Godfall, and Sackboy are doing some interesting things using Sony’s gamepad I’m interested to see if more developers take advantage of the unique capabilities of the DualSense as more PS5 games are released.
In addition to its advanced haptics beyond its advanced haptics DualSense performs pretty well as a normal controller. It’s considerably larger than its predecessor the DualShock 4 gamepad, with the most robust feel, with a layout that appears to borrow a page from the Xbox Wireless Controller in terms of ergonomics. Although the DualSense’s more robust grip feels comfortable to hold, I’d like it was smaller, and I noticed my hands becoming cramped while playing violent action games such as Godfall as well as Devil May Cry 5.
The best part is the fact that DualSense’s controls, as well as triggers, are comfortable during normal gaming. I was able to do my typical Mortal Kombat 11 combos thanks to the smooth D-pad on the controller and fast buttons on the face. The triggers and thumbsticks were fluid and precise as I fought Rebels within Battlefront II. The touchpad is larger this time and I appreciate the fact that the built-in lightbar wraps around the center of the device rather than being hidden on the top like in the DualShock 4.
PS5 performance and load time review
It has a strong eight-core AMD Zen 2 processor, 10.3 teraflops of graphics performance, and a blazingly quick custom SSD that the PS5 promises the highest performance to ever come from a games console. Although it’s only been playing a few games made to take advantage of the PS5’s performance and capabilities, I’m already amazed by the performance that Sony’s console has to produce in terms of framerate, fidelity, and, more important, load speed.
It shouldn’t come as unexpected, but some games look stunning when played on Sony’s latest console. Spider-Man: Miles Morales looked more like a top-of-the-line PC game rather than an actual PlayStation title while I admired the beautiful colors of the reds and purples that surrounded Spider-Man and his foes popping out of on the display in high-definition. Because of the console’s Ray-tracing feature, Manhattan’s towers were reflected back at one another in a realistic way as did the puddles that looked like real in busy Times Square.
This PS5 version of Miles Morales features a distinct Performance mode that turns off effects like Ray Tracing and utilizes an upscaled 4K for the higher framerate. In this setting, I zoomed across the metropolis at sixty frames per second, and enjoying stunning images, I felt as if I was playing something that could not be accomplished on previous consoles. It was extremely difficult to switch back to the PS4 version of Miles Morales, which often barely clocked in at thirty frames per second.
In terms of loading times in PS4 titles, I witnessed the biggest improvements when playing The Last of Us Part II. Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed action-adventure game launched nearly twice as fast with PS5 as it does on PS4 and took almost 30 seconds less to turn into playable mode by using on the menu. I also noticed notable improvements in Star Wars Battlefront II, which took just 33 seconds to launch on PS5 as opposed to more than one minute on PS4.
The load times of games differed were less apparent when I tested games like God of War and Mortal Kombat 11 however, all the games I tested ran the fastest on PS5.
PS5 review: Backwards-compatible
The PS5 can be used with virtually all PS4 games it’s a massive improvement over Sony’s total absence of backward compatibility in the previous generation. I played over twelve PS4 games on my PS5 with games like The Last of Us Part II, God of War, Mortal Kombat 11, Tetris Effect, and Resident Evil 2 and nearly all of them ran faster and ran more smoothly than on my original PS4. Both disc-based and digital PS4 games were played without issue on my PS5 and my physical films performed flawlessly with the HD Blu-ray disc drive.
The PS5 lets you benefit from all PS4 Pro enhancements a game has, which means games with greater resolution or frame rate modes will benefit the most from the new console. As someone who has the launch PS4 and able to finally experience God of War’s high frame rate mode, or to experience Tetris Effect in 4K felt like it was worth the cost of admission alone (the mentioned load time increases certainly help, as well.).
The PS5 is made to work with a wide range of first-party and official-licensed PS4 accessories. I had no trouble taking my old equipment over. Connecting the DualShock 4 to the PS5 was as easy as connecting it using a USB cable. My previous headsets worked perfectly with DualSense’s 3.5-millimeter audio jack.
Third-party wired controllers, like my Hori Fightpad or Victrix Pro FS Fight Stick, are also working perfectly when I played with buttons within Mortal Kombat. Be aware of this: the DualShock 4 only works with backward-compatible PS4 games, meaning you can’t make use of it with PS5 exclusive titles.
Recently, a new patent application submitted by PlayStation creators indicates that the PS5 may one day be able to play PS1, PS2, and PS3 games, giving an additional reason to get the PS5.
PS5 review: Game lineup
The launch lineup for the PS5 gets off to a great beginning. The big debut game Spider-Man: Miles Morales it’s a stunning and entertaining sequel to 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man that comes with Ray-traced graphics as well as an optional 60-fps speed mode.
Sackboy The Big Adventure is a simple yet charming 3D platformer that offers a lot of customization options for characters, however, Astro’s Playroom is a free, pack-in game that showcases its DualSense controller, could be better. Since 2007’s Nintendo Wii has a console that has a noteworthy game available right from the start and Sony’s newest platformer is filled with fun treasures and easter eggs for dedicated PlayStation players.
If more mature action is your style, Godfall is a fun and stunning action RPG which feels like a blend of intense battle in God of War 2018 and the deep loot system in Destiny. Are you looking for something more elegant? Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is an upgraded version of the acclaimed 2019 slash-em up that comes with Ray-tracing and 120 FPS performance modes.
One of the PS5’s most important real launch exclusive games is Demon’s Souls, a visually amazing remake of the adored 2009 action/RPG game of the identical name. We’ve just started playing Bluepoint’s latest version of the cult classic So stay tuned for more details.
The issue is that you don’t even need a PS5 to play a lot of the games. Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Sackboy A Big Adventure are also available on PS4 along with many of the major third-party titles that launched at the time of launch.
These are Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, The Pathless, Dirt 5, and NBA 2K21. These games are available on PS4 however, you’ll require a PS5 to play them, like 4K gaming in real-time and 60 frames per second frame rate options. It’s worth noting that Fortnite was optimized for PS5 at the time of launch and games like Madden NFL 21 and Watch Dogs Legion will be offering free PS5 upgrade options for those who own PS4 versions.
If you look ahead to the future, expect significant PS5 exclusives like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, God of War Ragnarok, and Horizon Forbidden West (the latter of which will also have a PS4 version) to launch in 2021 and later.
Although you don’t need a PS5 to play the largest new games coming from Sony and third-party developers you can expect to play more enhanced versions of them with the new system. Don’t forget that the majority of your PS4 games will be available to you, with significant improvements in performance and visuals for a few games.
PS5 review Review: Apps
The PS5 can access pretty almost every entertainment app that you’ll ever need, such as Disney Plus, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and newly added for this new addition to the PlayStation environment, Apple TV Plus. The apps worked in a similar way as their PS4 counterparts during my tests which isn’t an issue.
Each app I tried was fast and reliable to stream no matter if I was binge-watching Chappelle’s Show on Netflix or checking out WWE news and updates on YouTube. However, what’s more, important is that the streaming apps for the PS5 are more accessible than they were before, because of a convenient Media tab that’s an easy click away from your home screen. This is a welcome change from the PS4 that hid all its streaming applications in a slow-loading TV and Video menu.
A word of caution and a caveat Note: PS4 jailbreaks could be compatible with the PS5 and will allow for various homebrew programs and applications. However, we’d advise against this because it can lead to issues, which you wouldn’t wish to do when you’re on the PS5 is still difficult to locate in the stock version.
PS5 review Review: Noise and heat
With its huge internal fan and the large vents that run along the sides of the chassis, The PS5 kept cool and silent throughout my time playing with it. I never heard any noise coming from it, not even though I spent hours in Astro’s Playroom or tying up Crooks in Spider-Man. There were a few instances of audible sound when playing Star Wars Battlefront II, and I could hear discs turning quite loudly when I first placed Blu-rays into the. In contrast to the jet-engine-like sounds that emanate from my PS4 when downloading games and the PS5 is surprisingly quiet.
PS5 review: 3D audio
Its Tempest Engine enables it to provide 3D audio to games that are supported, allowing players to hear the sounds of your games with greater directionality than normal stereo could provide. The 3D audio on the PS5 is specifically designed to work with the majority of existing headsets and headphones however Sony’s Pulse 3D Wireless headset is specifically designed for this technology. We’ve already tried 3D audio with one headset, the Astro A20 headset. Although the effects are generally subtle, they do show plenty of potentials.
The PS5’s audio features were most apparent in Astro’s Playroom because I could clearly hear the rain emanating from my vantage point, and I could hear the noise of a tornado swirling between my right and left ears as it sent my character up. It was also simple to determine the locations where planes, cars, and even enemies were coming from as I swung through the air during Spider-Man: Miles Morales, however, I couldn’t tell the difference in tone between the time that the effect was turned either off or on.
As with many PS5 features, it will be up to the developers for the best use of 3D sound technology. We’re excited to play other games that have 3D sound support and also to get the Pulse 3D headset to enjoy the ultimate experience.
PS5 review: Verdict
The PS5 is a significant leap in console gaming. It offers stunning 4K graphics, amazingly rapid load times, and a revolutionary controller that makes gaming more tactile and immersive than ever before. It can play the majority of PS4 games and, in a lot of cases, it allows them to perform and load faster than they have ever been before.
But, there are a few good reasons to delay buying a console in the event that you are able to locate the new console from Sony which is. The launch line-up of the PS5 includes a few essential exclusives since PS4 owners can still play important releases like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The size of the console could be a hindrance for those who have limited space and the DualSense controller could be a bit larger for people with smaller hands.
Like most console releases and releases, the PS5 will only improve over time, with new games, features, and exclusive games that will allow those who want to hold off. Also, Microsoft’s price of $499 for the Xbox Series X comes with some extra power and is compatible with four versions of Xbox games. However, if you decide to purchase the PS5 today, be aware that you’ll enjoy an experience that’s truly next-gen with the latest haptics, stunning graphics, and virtually no interference between you and the games you’d like to play.
