Everything You Need To Know About The PS5
The PS5 is out now. Here's everything you need to know about your new console and how to set it up.
Sony's PlayStation 5 is out now in many major markets, having released on November 12. There are two versions of the PS5 available to purchase--the high-end PS5 standard edition and the disc-less PS5 Digital. It's been hard enough for many to secure a preorder for any of the next-gen consoles, but keeping up with the barrage of information is an entirely new game. Between technical specs, backwards compatibility, storage questions and concerns, launch game lineup and exclusives, peripherals like the new DualSense controller and other accessories, there's a lot to keep up with--not to mention some of the pressing day-one troubleshooting questions. In this guide, we've gathered up everything you need to know about your new PS5 as well as some of the most popular questions and answers, to help you get your next-gen console up and running.
What Is PS5?
The PS5, or PlayStation 5, is part of the ninth generation of video game consoles, which includes the Nintendo Switch and Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S. It follows the PS4. Our review of the PS5 praises it as a big and bold next-gen machine.
When Does PS5 Come Out?
The PS5's release date is November 12, 2020 in many markets, including North America, Japan, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. It'll expand to other regions on November 19.
How Much Does PS5 Cost?
The base PS5 costs $500 while the disc-less Digital edition costs $400.
Where Can I Buy PS5?
If you're looking to buy a PS5 on launch day, consult our order guide below for a full list of which retailers will have the PS5 available to order day one.
What's The Difference Between PS5 And PS5 Digital?
The key difference between the base PS5 and its digital edition is its disc drive. The high-end or default PS5 costs $500 and comes with a disc drive while the $400 digital version does not have a disc drive, meaning it can only install and play games via digital download. Picking between the two comes down to a few things, not just the convenience of using a disc or not. You should also consider whether or not you can afford or want to rely solely on the internet to play your games and how you feel about not technically "owning" the games physically.
There are a few other differences to be aware of as well. The base PS5 is larger and heavier than the digital PS5, but not by much. Head down to the section on technical specs for a more detailed breakdown.
What To Do Before Getting A PS5
If you're moving on from the PS4 to the PS5, there are a few things you should consider doing before setting up your PS5. If you have a PS4, that includes figuring out new storage solutions, double-checking login credentials, and backing up your game saves. You should also make sure to order any necessary adapters and clear out space to make way for your new console. Check out the guide below for more.
Can PS5 Play PS4 Games?
About 99% of PS4 games work on PS5, according to Sony, but PS3, PS2, and PS1 games are unfortunately excluded from its backwards compatibility. Some PS4 games will even receive next-gen upgrades via Game Boost, allowing them to take advantage of the new system's improved hardware. A special PS5 Plus Collection benefit will also be available to PS+ subscribers, granting them access to a number of the PS4's best games, including God of War, Bloodborne, and Persona 5.
How To Transfer Games From PS4 To PS5
The PS5 is backwards compatible with about 99% of PS4 games, according to Sony. If you need help transferring data from your PS4 to PS5, including games and save data, check out our guide below. We'll walk you through how to complete the process via external drives, plain old discs, or using one of the console's digital and cloud-based options.
How Much Storage Does PS5 Have?
- 825GB (total)
- 667GB (available)
The PS5 comes with a custom 825GB NVMe SSD, but if you account for the operating system and other default files and updates, you'll have about 667GB of storage left for games.
What Are The PS5's Technical Hardware Specs?
Consult the table below for a breakdown on the technical specs of both versions of the PS5, including the high-end standard edition and its digital-only counterpart.
PS5 Standard/Base Edition and Digital Edition Hardware Specs
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| CPU | 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz (variable frequency) |
| GPU | 10.28 TFLOPs, 36 CUs at 2.23GHz (variable frequency) |
| GPU Architecture | Custom RDNA 2 |
| Memory/Interface | 16GB GDDR6/256-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448GB/s |
| Internal Storage | Custom 825GB SSD |
| IO Throughput | 5.5GB/s (Raw), Typical 8-9GB/s (Compressed) |
| Expandable Storage | NVMe SSD Slot |
| External Storage | USB HDD Support |
| Optical Drive | 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive |
| Dimensions | Standard: 15.4 in × 10.2 in × 4.1 in / Digital: 15.4 in × 10.2 in × 3.6 in |
| Weight | Standard: 9.9 lb / Digital: 8.6 lb |
What PS5 Accessories Are There?
Alongside the launch of the PS5 are several new peripherals and accessories, including the brand-new DualSense controller. Find a list of the available accessories and check out our PS5 order guide for a list of where to order them.
- DualSense Wireless Controller
- DualSense Charging Station
- Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
- HD Camera
- Media Remote
What's So Special About The DualSense Controller?
The PS5's new controller is the DualSense, and it's required to play any PS5 games. It retains some of the DualShock 4's innovations, such as the touchpad, lightbar, and built-in speakers, but it introduces a number of new features. Those include an integrated mic (which is on by default), haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers. Haptic feedback allows for a more nuanced style of vibration that can more accurately reflect the in-game action. Adaptive triggers allow the triggers to also provide feedback, such as providing tension when drawing the string on a bow. When used effectively, it can be quite impressive, as you can read about below.
Do PS4 Controllers Work On PS5?
Yes, PS4 controllers work on PS5, but they can't be used to play PS5 games. A PS4 controller can navigate the system's menus and play backwards-compatible PS4 games, but you'll need the DualSense controller in order to play anything designed for PS5.
Does PS5 Come With Any Free Games?
Yes, all PS5 systems come with one free game pre-loaded: Astro's Playroom. While a standalone (albeit somewhat short) game in its own right, Astro's Playroom also serves as a demonstration of what the DualSense controller is capable of. Astro's Playroom can be removed from the system's internal SSD to free up space and can be re-downloaded for free.
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