Rumor: New PS5 Model With Detachable Disc Drive to Launch Around September 2023 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 19 September 2022 / 4,248 Views
There is a report the PlayStation 5 will be getting an overhaul with a new model set to launch around September 2023, according to sources familiar with Sony's plans who shared details with Insider Gaming.
The new PlayStation 5 will replace the current iterations and will have nearly identical hardware to the current consoles on the market.
The biggest difference is the new PlayStation 5 will have a detachable disc drive. The detachable disc drive will be connected to the PlayStation using an extra USB-C port on the back of the console.
The sources claim Sony will sell the new PlayStation 5 similar to how it does now. With one model including the detachable disc drive, while another will not include it. The detachable disc drive will be available to purchase separately.
The detachable disc drive is said to not ruin the look of the PlayStation 5 as it will attach to it without looking like an external drive.
As always this should be treated as a rumor until an official announcement is made by Sony.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Why not just making the disk drive its own thing, as an option for digital-only model buyers that change their mind later? An entire model for it seems excessive, though I imagine it might be just a regular hardware revision...
This will replace both, and likely they will start selling the disc drive standalone as well.
Thats the first thing I thought when I read detachable disc drive. They're not thinking.
This is being done so they only have to make one PS5 model. Hopefully the add on drive will work with existing Digital only PS5’s.
So could this mean there would be a single SKU but there would be those that are just bundled with the disc drive? If so, I can see how that could definitely help with manufacturing PS5's quicker! I wonder if sales are just so heavily in the direction of digital only rather than physical that Sony sees this as a better idea going forward.
Probably more about trying to promote digital, and nudge it along, similar to the way Nintendo gives you more gold coins if you buy digital. These guys want to increase their profits, and the sooner they get physical copies out of our hands, the better for them.
If and when Sony solves their component problems, this streamlining of the manufacturing process may indeed increase overall system production. I like it for the fact that if the laser goes on your system, you buy a new disc drive add-on and bob's your uncle.
Something like this for the Series S would be genius, for those that want the small size/low price/less electricity use of the S, but want a disc drive. Even I'd be tempted to get it, when it comes to running my physical games from the OG Xbox and the 360 under back-compat.
Actually was surprised they didn't do this to start with, honestly.
Would have cut down on managing the logistics on the manufacturing side of the equation.
1 SKU to rule them all.
Good decision.
For me, I had a few opportunities to buy a PS5 discless, but held off because I figured the disc drive was woth 100 bucks, as I'm sure I'll want to pick up some physical games on sale at some point. If a separate add on disc for 100 dollars was available, I would have definitely bought the digital only version much earlier.
Basically, I think that the discless model is clearly the less popular version. Rather than trying to rebalance their production, they are providing a way for the market to self correct. It's a pretty smart move imo.
If there are any wires involved this seems like an exceedingly bad idea if it's to replace the regular PS5. If it simply "snaps" into place like putting the Switch in its dock I suppose it could work, but still seems a bit bizarre. It would at least be a great option for Digital PS5 owners to have, assuming it's compatible with existing models. But I suppose we should still take all of this with a grain of salt for now.
This will definitely streamline production and get more systems to gamers. Hopefully we’ll finally see the PS5 on store shelves.👍
"Sources have implied that although the new detachable disc drive is portable, it will not ruin the aesthetics of the console and will attach to it without looking external, presumably meaning the new PlayStation 5 will look similar to the existing model. " ...ok this is good enough for me
Nice, always prefer physical but never want the noise from the drive.
One of the reasons I bought a PS5 was to be able to play UHD bluray discs. I still kind of like the idea of having the disc drive as an optional add on.
I somehow get some Apple vibes. I guess the model with the built-in disc drive could be history soon.
so this could allude to a PS5 slim... coming next year. Making one model instead of two. those who want digital only are all set out of the box. those who want to use discs just need to buy the external drive. I doubt it would be bulky like the 360 HDDVD drive but more slimline like (for example) an HP external bluray drive.
A more modular approach might make the whole affair a little less costly.
And it would likely make more people consider starting out with an all-digital version.
Well making a single SKU as base can reduce the cost a little, so yes I can see the point although I prefer mine that is already integrated.
Amazing idea. Makes so much sense on every level. Sony can release a single Digital PS5 Slim for say $299 next September. Or, you can get a Digital PS5 Slim + Disc Drive bundle for $399 - either way, a price cut from current prices. But the big difference? You can save that $100 at the beginning and buy the disc drive add-on whenever you want. Current Digital PS5 owners are just that - digital forever. And being USB-C connected is smart: it offers more than data bandwidth & power delivery to make a UHD Blu-ray Disc drive a single cable affair.
I think you're on to something, other than I seriously doubt we'll see a digital PS5 Slim at that price. I expect the PS5 Slim to launch at the same price, since it being slim is enough of a sales incentive on its own vs. the giganto-box that is the standard PS5.
Oh fuck off.
Getting serious HD-DVD/Xbox 360 vibes here.
It's not the same thing because you had the 360 DVD drive, and then you had a seperate HD DVD drive; thus 1 system but 2 disc drives. So back to my main point; the difference is that you'd only need the one disc drive.
And if you read the actual article it said "Sources have implied that although the new detachable disc drive is portable, it will not ruin the aesthetics of the console and will attach to it without looking external...."
Xbox360's HD DVD drive is noticeable that it's external. So maybe this new PS5 can have a design like a PC case where there's an empty slot/space available where you can pop the cover plate off and slide this new disc drive into place.
And what would be the problem if it was like that?
That's what's funny: I never said it was. lol
But the replies were like if you were =p
I've re-read them several times, and I don't see it. I guess since people didn't like the HD-DVD drive, or thought it was stupid, they made those assumptions on their own, but that's not what I meant by it. I just meant that when I saw this, the first thing I thought of was the HD-DVD add-on from back in the day and that's it.
I know what the HD DVD drive is as well and I get what you're saying too. I'm just saying from what I read it's not going to be just an add on that you just have this new drive sit beside your PS5.
As quoted, the new PS5 add on drive will not ruin the aesthetics of the console and will attach to it without looking external, that's the difference.
Like I said the PS5 can have a design like a PC case where there's an empty slot/space available where you can pop the cover plate off and slide this new disc drive into place which doesn't make it look external.
I see and agree. And as you said even if it doesn't look add-on because it would be integrated to the console the idea is similar.
And on your most recent answer I would say we need to see if Sony will extend it option for original digital only consoles (I think they will, if not that is missed opportunity).
If this new console is true I think it would be much better for production to just make one SKU and give physical gamers the option to buy the add-on, as well it would start with a cheaper price tag. This sounds like a win-win for everybody.
Sure, I was just mentioning that the add-on may be compatible with the original discless ps5.
That would be great if it did for those that got the digital system decided to buy physical games. My only issue with digital these days is when Collectors Edition are coming out and the game included is digital. (ie Horizon Forbidden West, digital game but came with an empty steelbook case lol). If gamers are buying a physical collectors edition of a statue/art book etc.. im sure majority of them wants the game in physical too.
For me it is totally bonkers to do it. At most I could accept Sony being extra cordial and giving like download code for PS4 version on the collectors edition of PS5 containing a PS5 disc.
This will likely also allow people that bought the original discless to have a drive if they sacrifice an usb-c port.
