The PlayStation 5 (officially abbreviated as PS5) is a forthcoming home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
It was announced in 2019 as the successor to the PlayStation 4 and is scheduled to be released in late 2020.
The company is expected to launch in two categories: a core PlayStation 5 system integrating an Ultra HD Blu-ray compatible optical disc drive for direct game assistance and digital distribution through the PlayStation Store and a reduced-cost Digital variant requiring the disc drive while maintaining digital download permission.
The PlayStation 5 features a customized solid-state drive built for fast data streaming, which facilitates substantial improvements in visual performance.
The hardware also features a custom AMD GPU that can trace rays, supports 4K resolution viewing and elevated refresh rates, is a unique audio device for accessible 3D sound effects, and has basic compatibility with most PlayStation 4 and PlayStation computer simulation games.
Release Date
Sony Entertainment has officially verified that the PlayStation 5 will be released worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2020.
So, we should expect it to be out sometime between October and December 2020, putting it in direct competition with the Xbox Series X, which is also set to be released in the same period.
A source claims that the release date might be November 20th of this year, but it has yet to be verified. Nevertheless, this date would be within the same interval as the predicted release date of the PlayStation 5.
AMD is a technology giant that has been assigned to design the processors and graphics chips in the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 next-gen consoles.
AMD CEO Dr Lisa Su explained in early May 2020 that it is boosting up production to get ready for their respective launches. The timing is also suggestive of a November launch window.
Price Range
Sony Entertainment has not announced the PlayStation 5 price yet, but expert predictions have set it at $499 / £449 / AU$749.
Generally, it should be treated with skepticism, but it would be entertaining news if the console doesn’t launch at this rate, as it is only $100 more than the launch price of the PS4 and PS4 Pro. That’s supposed to be the cost for the standard edition.
Sony’s June 11th event revealed that two PlayStation 5 consoles would be available upon launch: a standard PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 digital version. The latter is likely to be affordable, but we are not sure of the actual price.
Design
The PlayStation stands vertically, similar to the Xbox Series X. It comes in two versions: one with a 4K Blu-ray drive and a pure Digital Edition.
The PlayStation 5 alternative, without the optical drive, looks substantially slimmer than the regular model, owing to the removal of the drive.
The removal of the drive should suggest that the digital version of the PS5 would be affordable, but Sony hasn’t revealed the cost yet.
Sony disclosed the design during its live stream, but the company hasn’t given a release date or exact pricing for either type of PlayStation 5.
Like the Xbox Series X, the PlayStation 5 can be positioned vertically or horizontally beneath a TV or monitor.
Sony erects a stand that works for either placement, and the company is using what looks like a slightly distinct stand for the PlayStation 5’s digital version.
The top of the PlayStation 5 unit also seems to encompass vents for heat dissipation along with USB-A and USB-C ports at the front.
Specs
- CPU: AMD Zen 2-based CPU with eight 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 (PS4 games only)
- Optical drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray drive
Sony has developed several accessories for the PlayStation 5, including a DualSense charging station, a Pulse 3D wireless headset, a new HD camera, and a media remote. However, Sony has yet to announce the cost of its accessories.
Like Microsoft, Sony has recently provided further information about its next-gen PlayStation 5.
The console will arrive during the festival season. It’s powered by a custom AMD RDNA 2-based GPU and an eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU.
Sony also publicly declared the PlayStation 5 specs in March. The custom AMD chips will provide 10.28 teraflops of power using varying frequencies on both the CPU and GPU.
Sony uses a proprietary SSD solution to enhance game load times. The SSD provides 825GB of storage and 5.5 GB/s of performance.
The PlayStation 5 will also support 4K graphics and 8K graphics at a 120Hz frame rate and 3D audio.
Sony announced the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller on April 7th. The controller features adaptive triggers, haptic replies, and a new develop button to share gameplay content.
Like the company’s DualShock controls, the directional pad and buttons will remain on the top half of the controller, while its two analog sticks will be on the bottom.
