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The PlayStation 5 (PS5) and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (PS5 Digital) are the latest gaming consoles from Sony. Both consoles are powerful and offer a great gaming experience, but there are some key differences between the two models.
In this guide, we will discuss four main differences between the PS5 and PS5 Digital and provide a full analysis of the two consoles. We will provide a comprehensive comparison of physical media, price, storage, size, weight, and game compatibility so that you can make an informed decision regarding which console is right for you.
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital: Side-by-Side Comparison
| PS5 | PS5 Digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Media | Disc Drive (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray) | No Disc Drive |
| I/O Throughput | 5.5 GB/s (Raw), up to 8-9GB/s (Compressed) | 5.5 GB/s (Raw), up to 8-9GB/s (Compressed) |
| Expandable storage | NVMe SSD Slot | NVMe SSD Slot |
| Internal Storage | 825 GB (Custom SSD) | 825 GB (Custom SSD) |
| External storage | Yes, with an external USB HDD | USB External HDD Support |
| Size | 390mm x 104mm x 260mm | 390mm x 92mm x 260mm |
| GPU | 36 CUs @ 2.33 GHz, 10.3 TFLOPS | 36 CUs @ 2.33 GHz, 10.3 TFLOPS |
| Weight | 3.9 kg | 3.4 kg |
| CPU | 8x Cores @ 3.5 GHz (variable frequency) | 8x Cores @ 3.5 GHz (variable frequency) |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Price | $499 | $399 |
| Game Compatibility | Both physical and digital games | Only digital games |
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital: Overview
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is the latest gaming console from Sony, released in November 2020. It features a custom 8-core AMD Zen 2-based CPU, a custom AMD RDNA 2-based GPU, 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM, and a custom 825 GB SSD.
It also includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive for physical media, as well as support for 4K, 8K, and 120Hz gaming. The PS5 is also backward compatible with most PS4 games and supports ray tracing, which is a technique that creates more realistic lighting and shadows in games.
The PS5 Digital Edition is a version of the PS5 that does not include a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive and is only able to play games digitally. It has all the same specs as the regular PS5, including the custom CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD.
This version of the PS5 is intended for gamers who primarily play games digitally and do not require a physical media option. Both versions of the PS5 are compatible with the new DualSense controller which features haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for a more immersive gaming experience.
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital: What’s the Difference?
The Playstation 5 and the Playstation 5 Digital Edition are incredibly powerful next-generation consoles. Although they have the same specs, there are some key differences between them. To help you decide which is right for you, we’ve broken down the key differences below.
Disc Drive
- Model Number CFI-1215A01X
- Stunning Games - Marvel at incredible graphics and experience new PS5 features.
- Breathtaking Immersion - Discover a deeper gaming experience with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio technology.
- Lightning Speed - Harness the power of a custom CPU, GPU, and SSD with Integrated I/O that rewrite the rules of what a PlayStation console can do.
The disc drive is a key difference between the PS5 and the PS5 Digital. The PS5 has a disc drive that allows it to play physical games on discs like those you would buy at a store. If you have a collection of physical games from previous PlayStation consoles or prefer to purchase physical copies of games, the PS5 would be the better option.
On the other hand, the PS5 Digital does not have a disc drive and can only play digital games downloaded from the internet or streamed through the PlayStation Now service. If you prefer to purchase and download your games digitally, or if you don’t have a collection of physical games, the PS5 Digital would be a good choice.
The disc drive also makes the PS5 slightly larger and heavier than the PS5 Digital. It’s worth noting that while the PS5 Digital doesn’t have a disc drive, it still supports the latest games with no difference in performance or quality.
Design
When it comes to design, the PlayStation 5 and the PS5 Digital have a few notable differences. The most obvious difference is the disc drive on the standard PlayStation 5. This disc drive allows users to insert physical discs of games, movies, and other media, which can be accessed through the console.
The PS5 Digital, however, does not have a disc drive and instead relies solely on digital downloads and streaming services for accessing content. Another design difference between the two consoles is size.
The standard PS5 is slightly larger than the PS5 Digital due to the presence of the disc drive. The standard console is 390mm x 104mm x 260mm, while the Digital version measures up at 390mm x 92mm x 260mm.
The PS5 also features a slightly more elaborate design with its two-toned black-and-white color scheme and angular shape. On the other hand, the PS5 Digital has a minimalist look with the default all-white color scheme and smooth curves. Sony has recently expanded the color customization to include a variety of colors such as black, red, pink, blue, and purple.
Both consoles come with a few different ports and connections, such as USB-A and Ethernet ports. Additionally, they both feature Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can access content from various streaming services without connecting to an internet cable.
Price
- Model Number CFI-1215B01X
- Stunning Games - Marvel at incredible graphics and experience new PS5 features.
- Breathtaking Immersion - Discover a deeper gaming experience with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio technology.
- Lightning Speed - Harness the power of a custom CPU, GPU, and SSD with Integrated I/O that rewrite the rules of what a PlayStation console can do.
The regular PS5 model costs $499.99, while the PS5 Digital Edition is cheaper at $399.99. The price difference is mainly due to the fact that the regular PS5 comes with a disc drive, whereas the digital edition does not. This means that the digital edition may be a better choice if you’re looking for a more affordable option and don’t care about having a physical copy of your games.
Game Compatibility
The digital version of the console does not include a disc drive, meaning that it cannot play physical copies of games or Blu-Ray discs. This means that the only way to play games on the digital version is to purchase them from the PlayStation Store or to use digital copies purchased from other platforms.
On the other hand, the traditional PlayStation 5 includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive, which allows you to play physical copies of games and Blu-ray discs. You can also purchase games digitally from the PlayStation Store or play digital copies purchased from other platforms. The traditional PlayStation 5 offers more game compatibility options than the digital version.
In terms of backward compatibility, the PS5 can play games from PlayStation 4 (PS4). This means that users can play both physical and digital PS4 games on the PS5. However, the PS5 Digital version cannot play physical PS4 games.
Ultimately, the console you choose will depend on your gaming habits. If you prefer to purchase physical copies of games and Blu-ray discs, then the traditional PlayStation 5 is the right choice. However, the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition could be the better option if you prefer to purchase your games digitally.
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital: 8 Must-Know Facts
- The PS5 and PS5 Digital have the same hardware and offer the same performance.
- The PS5 Digital does not have a disc drive, so you are limited to downloading games and other content from the PlayStation Store. However, the PS5 can play both digital and physical games.
- The PS5 Digital Edition is cheaper than the PS5, as it does not include the cost of the disc drive.
- The PS5 Digital Edition is slightly smaller and lighter than the PS5 due to the lack of a disc drive.
- Both consoles are backward compatible with PS4 games.
- Both consoles support the same features, such as ray-tracing, 8K, and 3D audio.
- Both versions of the PS5 are compatible with the new DualSense controller which features haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
- The PS5 has a feature called “Tempest 3D AudioTech” which provides realistic 3D audio experiences in supported games.
PS5 vs. PS5 Digital: Which One Is Better?
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (PS5 Digital) are both powerful gaming consoles that offer a great gaming experience. However, there are some key differences between the two models. The PS5 has a disc drive that can play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, which allows you to play physical copies of games and movies.
On the other hand, the PS5 Digital Edition does not have a disc drive, and you can only play digital games and movies. The choice between the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition ultimately comes down to personal preference and usage. If you prefer physical copies of games and movies, then the PS5 is better for you.
However, if you are content with digital games and movies, and want to save some money, then the PS5 Digital Edition might be the better choice. Both consoles offer the same hardware and performance, so the choice depends on how you plan to use the console.
