Sony's discontinuation of game disc manufacturing from 2028 onwards has complicated the decision between physical and digital PS5 models. The company now offers multiple variants—the Slim (available in both digital and disc versions) and the Pro (digital-only)—each with different price points and storage capacities, making the choice dependent on budget, existing media collections, and long-term gaming intentions.

The PS5 Slim Digital Edition costs £600 with 825GB storage, whilst the disc version costs £650 with 1TB storage. The pricier Pro model costs £900 but is currently difficult to obtain. An £80 disc drive add-on is available separately for digital models. Since games still require installation to internal storage regardless of format, the disc model offers better value through its additional storage and ability to play physical games until 2027, with savings from discounted physical games offsetting the upfront cost difference.