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Platform / PlayStation 5

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The PS5 DualSense controller, physical edition, and digital edition.
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The PlayStation VR and Sense controllers
Play Has No Limits.

The PlayStation 5 is Sony's entry into The Ninth Generation of Console Video Games. It was released on November 12th, 2020 in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea; it was released November 19th everywhere else.

On top of improved CPU, GPU and memory compared to the PlayStation 4, the system introduces a new NVMe solid state drive and PCIe lane solution that provides streaming of data of up to 5.5GB/s raw and on average 9GB/s compressed. In layman's terms, this means developers can easily sidestep the Loads and Loads of Loading that had been a constant bane of many console games ever since the switch to disc-based media in the mid-90s.

In addition, the system's hardware allows for a theoretical max resolution of 8K, though few games actually render in this resolution due to it being too taxing on the hardware in a practical scenario. Most games opt for 4K instead, or sometimes 1440p upscaled to 4K. It, along with the Xbox Series X, is also one of the first video game consoles to support ray-tracing. HDR support is carried over from the PS4 Pro.

In response to criticisms that the PlayStation 4 previously received for its lack of backwards compatibility, the PS5 supports software level PS4 emulation as well, allowing the system to run almost the entirety of the PS4 library.note  By extension, the system is also able to run the PS4's emulators for the original PlayStation and the PlayStation 2, though it is only able to play the digital versions of PS1 and PS2 games released on the PlayStation Store. Many PS4 games receive slight upgrades in certain areas when played on PS5 due to the console's stronger hardware (i.e. faster load times, more stable framerates), with the possibility to receive more dramatic improvements via dedicated "next gen" patches. However, the PS5 still retains its predecessor's lack of physical multimedia support, an aftereffect of physical media sales in general being much lower in 2020 compared to ten years prior.

The PS5 further introduces a new DualSense controller, which significantly redesigns the form factor compared to previous PlayStation controllers. It most notably includes enhanced haptic feedback, which allows for improved immersion compared to previous controllers. The controller also includes a microphone, better battery life and built-in speakers compared to the DualShock 4, and USB-C connectivity. A pro-orientated version of the DualSense, the DualSense Edge, was released on January 26, 2023, adding two remappable back buttons, two function buttons, 3-step trigger stops and replaceable thumbstick modules.

The system's early life was plagued by shortages. While not entirely unheard of in the console market — the Wii and PlayStation 2 famously had similar issues — the problem was exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pandemic created extremely high demand and low stock due to supply chain issues and a semiconductor shortage, and scalpers took advantage of the situation to buy up what little stock was available. Getting a PS5 early on in its life without going through a scalper and murdering your wallet was extremely difficult. Sony tried to alleviate this by creating a program where PlayStation account holders are randomly invited to purchase a console from Sony's online storefront, but even that didn't guarantee a console since they would send out more invites than how many systems they had in stock (and in some cases, these invites went to people who already owned a PS5). While it managed to become the fastest-selling console in U.S. history despite these shortages — 10 million units sold in 8 months and it broke the record set by the PS4 — it would end up falling behind the PS4's sales trends due to the inability to manufacture enough units. Sony was forced to lower their projections as a result. The PS5 remains extremely rare in many countries as of 2022, with rumors abound that Sony has cut off supply to regions it sees as less lucrative (i.e. countries with less buying power) in order to keep the limited supply flowing to important markets like North America. And even in some high-priority markets like Japan, the console still had to be purchased through a lottery.

The shortages forced Sony to support cross-gen game releases despite claiming they would quickly move on from the PS4 after the PS5's launch. While first-party PlayStation 3 games had been quickly abandoned after the immediate success of the PS4, PS4 versions of PS5 games from Sony's own developers would continue to be released over 2 years into the PS5's life. Some third-party devs would even release PS4 games without bothering to make PS5 versions. This is due to the combination of the PS5's backwards compatibility with its predecessor, the prevalence of the widely successfully PS4, the existence of the PS4 Pro, which shares some hardware features — like 4K and HDR — with the PS5note , and the fact that there is a supply shortage of PS5 consoles.

In November 2023, Sony released the PS5 Slim. This model, in keeping with revisions of previous hardware generations, was smaller than the original and had additional USB ports note . It also distinguishes itself by boosting the internal storage capacity to 1TB and featuring a detachable disk drive for the physical version. The digital version can also be upgraded by the purchase of a separate disk drive unit, exactly matching the form and function of the physical version.

On February 22, 2023, Sony released the Playstation VR2 (PSVR2) as an add-on to the console. It upgraded its predecessor's lens displays to 4K clarity and also streamlined its hardware interface, now only requiring one USB-C cable to be attached to the PS5 as opposed to the complicated array of cabling, a breakout box and a camera which the PSVR necessitated. The VR controllers were also upgraded, with the Sense controllers being more like those used by competitors than the somewhat primitive Move controllers note  which lacked analogue sticks and sophisticated finger tracking. There is the option of buying the headset with a download code for Sony's showcase game, Horizon: Call of the Mountain note  included.

Technical Specifications

    open/close all folders 

    PlayStation 5/PlayStation 5 Slim 
Processors
  • CPU: AMD Zen 2-based CPU with 8 cores running at a variable frequency up to 3.5GHz
  • GPU: RDNA 2 based GPU with 36 CUs at a variable frequency up to 2.23GHz, for a performance up to 10.28 TFLOPs
  • AMD SmartShift technology allows the console to balance its power budget between the two.

Memory/Storage

  • 16GB of GDDR6 RAM running at 14 GHz with a total bandwidth of 448 GB/s
  • 825GB NVMe based SSD with a raw throughput of 5.5 GB/s, though a custom decompression chip can raise the effective read throughput to about 9 GB/s on average. The slim models increase the total capacity of the internal SSD to 1TB.
    • This SSD can be augmented with an off-the-shelf PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, as long as it meets Sony's specifications, which require that the SSD both physically fit inside the console and support the fast read/write speeds needed by the system. As of firmware version 8.00, the maximum capacity of the NVMe SSD that the PS5 can support has been increased from 4 TB to 8 TB.
  • USB storage device support for PS4 games
  • 4K UHD Blu-ray drive on the standard edition, but not present on the Digital Edition.
    • Compatible with both PlayStation 5 format UHD BD-ROM discs and PlayStation 4 format BD-ROM discs. The drive can also play movies from these formats as well in addition to DVDs. Like the PS4, there is no support for CDs.
    • The slim models require the one-time DRM internet connection to pair the removable disc drive (included or separate). This is due to the DMCA's 17 U.S. Code § 1201 law which makes console manufacturers illegal to "circumvent a technological measure that controls access to a copyrighted work". In other words, it must be an authentic model and not third-party drives such as USB disc drives.

Graphics

  • Max resolution is 7680x4320 (8K), though most games render in 4K or 1440p upscaled to 4K instead.
  • HDR10 support (Dolby Vision is not supported)
  • VRR support (with firmware update)

Audio

Connectivity

  • 1 HDMI output port
  • 1 USB-C with USB 3.1 Gen 2 port along with a USB-A with USB 2.0 port on the front of the console; 2 USB-A with USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports on the back
  • 1 Gigabit Ethernet port
  • 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 standard) and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless capabilities.
  • The PS5 Camera uses a basic USB 3 cable rather than a proprietary one as with the PS4 (note that that console's camera requires a special adaptor if you wish to use it with the PS5)

    PlayStation Virtual Reality 2 
PSVR2 HMD
  • Dual 4K, 2000x2040 OLED 5.7 inch panels with 90 Hz refresh rate and 110° field of view (fov/FOV), one for each eye; their spacing can be adjusted to account for user IPD (the distance between their pupils) via an adjustment dial.
  • Forgoing external camera tracking like its predecessor used, it instead has four cameras mounted on the headset itself. This makes head tracking more accurate, and likewise allows for accurate tracking for the Sense controllers. They can also be used to obtain an external or "see-through" view of the player's surroundings.
  • Inward-facing IR cameras used to track eye movement for balancing rendering resources and also e.g. inputs controlled by looking in a certain direction.
  • "Foveated" rendering used to concentrate system resources such that wherever the user is directly looking at has the best render resolution, and the periphery is accordingly reduced. Akin to the natural focusing of human vision on specific targets.
  • Ray traced rendering from the host hardware is currently deprecated because it causes a performance hit for the virtual reality display, except for instances of 2D/"flat" images such as playing a normal game in the headset without VR mode. However, the rumoured PS5 Pro upgrade could conceivably be powerful enough to fully leverage ray tracing in VR without it being taxing on the framerate or resolution, as a unique selling point for the upgraded hardware.
  • Force feedback is integrated into the headset for a touch of haptic effects, enhancing the immersion from the VR scenario.
  • Integrated cooling system to protect the internal electronics, and also to reduce lens fog during play.
  • Includes a basic pair of earbuds for 3D sound, but the user can substitute a different headset.
  • Only one integrated USB-C cable is required to interface it to the PS5. Note that if the host console's USB-C port is unfunctional, an adaptor can be used to connect it to the other USB 3 ports instead.

Sense Controllers

  • To facilitate greater approximation of hand and finger movements, these controllers come in mirrored left and right hand pairs, fully facilitating ambidextrous use. Each features its own analog stick (with L3/R3 clickable buttons), two buttons from the traditional Sony controller front button pool (Triangle and Square, and Circle and Square respectively) and index and middle finger buttons. Each button has capacitive sensors, allowing finger movement (from the thumb to the middle finger) to be sensed without the button having to be depressed.
  • Haptic feedback.
  • Adaptive triggers, like the regular DualSense controllers.
  • 14 IR LEDs optimally placed around the central ring, which are tracked by the headset's cameras.
  • Charged by USB C ports, but most users tend to prefer first or third party charging docks to cut down on the cables required.

    DualSense and DualSense Edge 
DualSense
  • While the button layout remains the same as previous PlayStation controllers, the DualSense have a more ergonomic design.
  • Like the DualShock 4, it has a touchpad for touch control and accelerometers and gyroscopes for motion-sensing control.
  • It has the resistance-based adaptive triggers, powered by the small motors and gears.
  • Instead of the standard rumble motors, the DualSense has a pair of large voice-coil actuators (VAC in short) in their places.
    • The VACs actuates on the more detailed, audio-based haptic feedback signal sent from the console.
  • Unlike the DualShock 4 which have a Micro-USB port, the DualSense have a USB Type-C port for wired connectivity and charging.
  • Just like DualShock 4, the DualSense can be used on PC as a DirectInput controller, with some of its features supported by selected PC games.
    • However, the audio-based haptic feedback is only possible when the controller's audio device is exposed to the host PC. The controller's audio device is only exposed when connected via USB-C and when the controller is connected via Bluetooth, the VACs only actuates on the less detailed standard rumble signal.
    • In addition to this, not all supported PC games can utilize the controller's adaptive triggers when connected via Bluetooth.

DualSense Edge

  • Many of the features of the regular DualSense were intact.
  • It has a pair of user-replaceable stick modules.
    • On the front of the module is the FN button, used for various functionalities but mainly use to switching built-in profiles when used in conjunction with the right face buttons.
    • On the top of the module is a pressure-fit stick cap, which can be swap for the different ones that come included in the carrying case.
  • It has 3-step triggers stops to reduce the trigger travel for quick actuation. Note that switching to shorter travel will also disable the adaptive triggers.
  • On the back of the controller are the remappable buttons, which can be swapped between the lever type and the half-dome type.
    • When the controller was launched, the remappable buttons can only be used by using the customizable built-in profiles, which can only be customized when connected to a PS5.
    • Certain controller wrappers on PC, such as Steam Input, can utilize the remappable buttons, provided that the controller is set to the default profile.
  • Comes with a carrying case for storing the controller and associated accessories.
  • Due to having a different hardware ID than the regular DualSense, not all DualSense-supported PC games support the DualSense Edge's features on PC.

Games announced or released:

Alternative Title(s): PS 5

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