Sony is working on a new PS5, and it's all about a redesign of the idea that, while it might not convince you too much, makes a lot more sense than it seems. The news comes via an article by Tom Henderson published in Insiders Gaming, where he assures that the manufacturer will launch the new model in September 2023.
A PS5 with USB reader
The published information speaks of a new console that would introduce a rather peculiar complement, since we would be talking about a external blu-ray drive that will allow the use of discs for those who change their minds and want to move from the digital to the physical version over time. This is something that is not possible to do today, since, although two versions of PS5 are offered (with disc and without disc), those who opted for the digital version will have to make do with their choice for life, since there is no way to connect any compatible drive.
In any case, the most important thing is that this new console would continue to carry the same hardware that we find today in stores, so we will hardly see a console that is smaller or too different from the digital PS5 that we know today, and much less that it is more powerful than the current ones.
Are we going to be able to use that reader on the PS5 Digital?
One question that many users will be asking is whether this external unit that Sony is going to launch together with the console can be used in the current digital PS5. To this day we are not very clear about Sony's position in this regard, but it does not seem that this is going to happen. The new console will include an additional USB-C port on its back, and it will be in charge of feeding and transferring data between the reader and the console, and although the front port of the digital PS5 could be perfectly fine for it, something tells us that it will to be limited to the new model.
Does it make sense to launch such a console now?
The play of launching a console with an optional reader is quite interesting, as it will allow gamers to change their minds over time and even replace one of the most vulnerable pieces of hardware with total ease and avoid expensive PS5 repair services. From this point of view it sounds good, however, we could also understand that the play of launching a version with a disc and another one without it has not finished settling correctly.
To all this, we must add the increase in the price of consoles due to inflation and the shortage of components, something that could be mitigated with this new model. Technically you wouldn't be doing without the drive forever, so you'll always have the opportunity to upgrade your hardware and still be happy.
Is the best option?
A USB-C Blu-ray drive shouldn't be too bulky, but considering the current size of the console, adding one more component to your setup isn't going to be pretty. If we take into account that the console has a system of replaceable casings that has caught on very well with the public (especially for clean your ps5 comfortably), I wouldn't like to see a hole under that casing in which to house the drive.
Thus, those who are encouraged to use the reader can always keep it hidden and not feel that they have another brick on their table next to the television. We'll see if Sony surprises us with any of this, but for now we'll have to wait until September 2023, the date on which the new console will supposedly be released.