Top 10 New PS5 Hardware and Software Features

It’s not uncommon for PlayStation consoles to release a couple different models over time, but Sony is giving us two versions of the PS5 upfront. For traditionalists who will always stand by physical media, the base model comes complete with an optical disc drive that’s compatible with Blu-ray and DVDs. If you don’t care about having physical copies of your games and want to save $100 bucks, the Digital Edition is the way to go. Games that were digitally purchased on your PS4 can be transferred to your PS5 Digital Edition. Just keep in mind that the console has a storage space of 825 GB SSD, meaning you’ll eventually need to purchase additional SSD. You’ll also want a strong internet connection for the digital version.

The PS5 will have a few nifty accessories, including an HD Camera with 1080p capture, a built-in stand, and the ability to change your background. Outside of games, most of us will primarily use the PS5 for streaming. If you’re not satisfied with using your game controller to watch shows and movies, you might want to consider picking up a media remote control. With a crisp design, the remote can be used to turn on your PS5 and navigate through a wide variety of apps, including Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Spotify, Apple TV+, and Twitch. Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, and MyCanal will be available after launch. It also comes with the essential features one would expect from a regular TV remote, such as volume control.

Blu-ray capability has been a staple of Sony home consoles since the PS3. Sony really upped its game, however, with the PS5 base model’s Ultra HD Blu-ray. Featuring 4K resolution, the console will appeal to Blu-ray collectors just as much as game collectors. With previous PlayStation consoles, the sounds and vibrations made when discs spin could occasionally take a toll on our Blu-ray experience. The PS5 aims to improve this by surrounding the Blu-ray drive in a sheet metal case and adding double insulation. We could definitely do with less of that stressful spinning noise while trying to watch movies.

The PS5 has been cited as Sony’s biggest console ever, as well as the biggest modern console. The console’s size can be largely attributed to its cooling system, which includes a double-sided air intake fan that’s 45mm thick and 120mm in diameter. The system also has a heatsink modeled after a heat pipe, which Sony compared to a vapor chamber. The liquid metal thermal conductor will additionally “ensure long-term stable high-cooling performance,” according to Sony. The huge cooling system will naturally attract dust, but Sony thought ahead by adding two dust catchers. So, any dust gathered can be conveniently vacuumed up through these two holes. You may need some extra room for your PS5, but hopefully, this means we’ll have to worry less about overheating.

Sony is striving to make the PS5 their most all-encompassing console yet with the Tempest Engine. A major step forward in 3D audio technology, this chip makes it feel as if sounds are coming from all around. This isn’t the first time that Sony has tinkered with such tech, as the PlayStation VR headset could simulate sound from 50 different sources. The Tempest Engine, however, supports hundreds of sound sources, taking 3D audio to the next level. Whether you’re swinging through New York as Miles Morales, exploring the Forbidden West as Aloy, or cruising down a track in “Gran Turismo 7,” gaming environments are about to get even more immersive.

If you want to experience the full effect of the Tempest Engine, the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is a must-have. This accessory was made to take full advantage of 3D audio technology, allowing players to truly escape into the game. The headset is built with dual noise-canceling microphones that’ll make it easier to hear other players online and block out your real-world surroundings. The product is only made more enticing by its polished design with comfortable earpads and headband. Sweetening the deal, the headset isn’t just compatible with the PS5 and PS4, but certain PC and macOS devices as well. It’ll even hook up your PlayStation VR headset, making the game all the more real.

If the PS4 had a drawback, it was the lack of backward compatibility. Sure, PlayStation Now helped fill in the gaps, but it’s just not the same for collectors of physical media. The PS5 is finally giving fans what they’ve been asking for, at least to a certain degree. Old copies of PS1, PS2, and PS3 games won’t be compatible with the PS5, but the library of PS4 titles you’ve racked up over the past seven years won’t be going to waste. 99% of PS4 games will work on PS5 and you can even transfer saved data between the two consoles. If you missed out on the PS4 and don’t feel like tracking down an assortment of discs, the PlayStation Plus Collection has you covered.

Few things are more frustrating than having to look at a lengthy loading screen, especially after dying in a boss fight. It always takes us out of the experience, but the PS5 promises to make some significant improvements. With the console’s high-speed SSD, PS5 and PS4 games will reportedly have faster load times. How fast you ask? Well, “Astro’s Playroom” and “Godfall” are two games that various outlets tested prior to the console’s launch. Based on the footage released, the respawn time for both games was only a few seconds. Granted, it’s hard to say if this will be the standard for all PS5 games, but Sony is clearly making strides. The SSD is especially integral to the rapid dimension-hopping in “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.”

Speaking of “Astro’s Playroom,” every PS5 console will come with this platformer preloaded. The game serves as a showcase for the DualSense controller, which offers a wide variety of new tricks. While its appearance is more refined, the DualSense keeps most of the buttons from the DualShock 4. One notable tweak is that the “Share” button is now the “Create” button. It’s what’s on the inside that sets the DualSense apart from its predecessors, though. This controller has a built-in microphone for players to communicate through and improved haptic feedback. What’s haptic feedback? In a nutshell, it uses the player’s sense of touch to create a more immersive experience. For an additional fee, you can pick up a DualSense charging station for your wireless controllers.

Based on what we’ve seen, the PS5 user interface might be Sony’s sleekest effort yet. From the Control Center, you can jump right back into your game in progress. You’ll also find a collection of “Cards,” which provide new stories from developers you’re following, screenshots you’ve taken, and – most notably – Activities. Through the Activities feature, players can keep track of the progress that they’ve made and how far they have to go towards completing a specific task. PlayStation Plus subscribers can even use the “Game Help” feature when they’re stuck on certain games. Communicating with friends has never been more convenient and the microphone provides a welcome alternative to typing out messages. With an improved homepage to boot, we can’t wait to explore every inch!