4 drawbacks you should know before buying a PlayStation 5
The article argues that buying a PlayStation 5 now offers poor value, despite the PS5 and PS5 Pro being capable consoles. Prices have risen years after launch, while the timing of a PS6 remains unknown, leaving buyers uncertain about how long current models will stay current.
It also warns that Sony plans to stop putting games on discs from 2028, reducing options to lend, resell or buy physical copies, and that the PS5 Pro has become harder to find. The original PS5 launched at $499 with a disc drive and $399 without one; the article says those models now cost $649 and $599 respectively, while the PS5 Pro has risen from $699 to $899. The supplied article text ends partway through its discussion of the Pro.
In short
- PS5 prices have risen substantially since launch.
- Sony plans to stop releasing games on discs from 2028.
- The PS6 launch timing remains unknown.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A PS5 can still offer strong performance and access to a large game library, so buyers who want to play now may consider the higher price worthwhile. The PS6’s timing is uncertain, and Sony’s reported move away from discs from 2028 may matter less to people who already prefer digital purchases and convenience.
The case against
The price rises make the consoles harder to justify as value purchases, particularly when the next generation’s timing is unclear and could shorten the period buyers see the PS5 as current. Moving away from disc games would also limit lending, resale and access to physical copies, while the PS5 Pro’s reported scarcity may make buying at a fair price more difficult.
Explained simply
Sony’s PlayStation 5 is a home games console, released in 2020 in versions with or without a disc drive. The PS5 Pro is a more powerful, higher-priced version. Sony makes the consoles and publishes games for them; buyers can also play titles from other game makers.
The choice between a disc-drive model and a digital-only one affects how people get games: discs can be lent or resold, while digital games are bought and downloaded through online shops. Sony’s reported plan to stop putting games on discs from 2028 could change those options. The timing of a future PlayStation console is not known, which may matter to people weighing a purchase against the cost and lifespan of current models.