PlayStation 5 Drawbacks to Consider Before Buying
Prospective buyers evaluating Sony's current gaming hardware should examine several notable shortcomings before purchasing.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Rising Hardware Costs Across the Console Family
Unlike previous generations where hardware prices typically decreased over time, all four machines in the PlayStation 5 lineup are significantly more expensive than when they first launched. Amid the era of extreme RAM shortages, Sony has been forced to increase hardware costs due to record-high memory and SSD prices.
When the original hardware debuted in North America in November 2020, the disc-equipped system and Digital Edition featured reasonable introductory prices. Today, acquiring the disc-equipped system or purchasing either the disc drive PS5 or discless version requires a considerably larger financial investment, with the PS5 Pro experiencing similar pricing pressures and shortages.
The Shift Toward a Discless Future
Sony plans to stop producing disc-based PlayStation games starting in 2028, signaling a major industry transition. This change means future platforms will not support physical media, effectively ending the PlayStation's long legacy as a versatile media hub.
As reported by FlatpanelsHD, manufacturing changes indicate that older hardware capabilities like 4K Blu-ray playback are being phased out. Consequently, players navigating the switch to digital will lose traditional consumer benefits such as physical game lending, secondhand markets, and access to physical retail sales.
Performance Bottlenecks in the PlayStation 5 Pro
While the PlayStation 5 Pro delivers impressive graphical power with notable TFLOPS improvements and advanced upscaling technology, its internal architecture is not entirely balanced. A key component holding back the system's absolute potential is its processor.
The Pro utilizes an upgraded AMD Zen 2 eight-core processor clocked at 3.85GHz compared to the base model's 3.5GHz. This modest ten percent clock speed increase represents a minor CPU upgrade, which helps explain why certain CPU-intensive titles do not achieve significantly higher frame rates despite the massive boost in graphical compute units.
Bulky Aesthetics and Exterior Design
Beyond technical specifications and pricing, the physical design of the PlayStation 5 family has drawn persistent criticism. Characterized by sharp, jutting lines and a protruding disc tray, the consoles often prove difficult to integrate into standard living room furniture.
While the slimmer digital versions offer a slightly more uniform shape, none of the models are universally praised for their aesthetic appeal. Many users ultimately choose to store the hardware inside entertainment cabinets to keep the bulky frames out of sight.
Sources
- Engadget4 drawbacks you should know before buying a PlayStation 5
Continue chronologically
Related stories
Repurposing Your Old PlayStation Instead of Throwing It Away
Discover practical ways to repurpose, sell, or donate your old PlayStation console, turning aging hardware into media centers, cash, or charitable donations.
How to Clean Your PlayStation 5 Without Causing Damage
Learn how to safely clean your PlayStation 5 to remove dust, improve airflow, and keep your console running at its best without voiding your warranty.
Understanding the PlayStation 5 Game Library Padlock Symbol
Discover why a padlock icon appears on your PlayStation 5 game library and learn step-by-step methods to restore game access and licenses.
PlayStation Plus Cost From 2010 to 2026: Price and Tier Changes
Explore how PlayStation Plus pricing and features have evolved from its single-tier 2010 debut to the current Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers.
