The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition slim edition is perfect for gamers who have embraced digital gaming fully. With excellent performance, a sleek design, and a price point lower than the standard edition, it offers great value. However, the digital-only format presents some limitations, such as the inability to resell games or play physical media. As long as you’re comfortable with the digital ecosystem and willing to manage storage wisely, the PS5 Digital Edition delivers a top-tier gaming experience that stands out in the current console landscape.
Performance
Under the hood, the PS5 Digital Edition matches the physical edition in terms of power. It boasts an AMD Ryzen Zen 2-based CPU with eight cores running at 3.5GHz. Combined with the AMD RDNA 2 GPU, the console delivers 10.28 teraflops of graphical power. Whether you game in 4K at 60fps or aim for 120fps in select titles, the Digital Edition delivers exceptional performance.
With 1TB of storage, games load incredibly fast, almost eliminating the wait times gamers have grown accustomed to. Titles such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart show off this speed beautifully, as players can jump between worlds seamlessly with no noticeable delay. Sony’s custom SSD architecture not only enhances performance but also provides developers with more freedom to create expansive, complex environments without worrying about load times.
However, the one downside here is storage. Games today demand significant space, and with the digital-only format, you will likely find yourself managing your library more often than you’d like. Fortunately, you can expand storage via compatible SSDs.
Digital Ecosystem
As a digital-only console, the PS5 Digital Edition relies entirely on Sony’s online ecosystem. This console makes physical games, DVDs, or Blu-rays obsolete. Instead, you must purchase games from the PlayStation Store. While some might argue that this removes flexibility, it enhances ease of use. Games install instantly, and you no longer need to switch discs to play different titles.
The PlayStation Store has undergone several updates since the console’s release, providing a user-friendly experience for finding and purchasing games. Regular sales and discounts offer gamers the chance to grab titles at reduced prices, making it easy to build a digital library.
Price and Value
The PS5 Digital Edition typically retails for £388 on Amazon. This makes it a more accessible option for gamers looking to experience next-gen power without stretching their budgets. For many, the price difference more than compensates for the lack of a disc drive, especially when they already purchase most of their content digitally.