PLAYSTATION 5 (PS5): Guides to buy, Which Model to Consider, Upgrade

PS5. (Image credit: Future)

Sony's latest console officially launched on November 12, but both models of the PlayStation 5 have consistently been selling out, leaving countless would-be customers in the cold.

Standard PS5 or Digital Edition of PS5 – Which to pick?

Sony unveiled not one, but two editions of the PlayStation 5 at the June 11 Future of Gaming virtual event. And for some, the double reveal has caused mind-warping indecision as they hem and haw about which PS5 model is best for them. On Sept. 16, the gaming giant finally revealed the prices of both consoles during its PS5 Showcase livestream event. The PS5 Digital Edition costs $399 and the standard model costs $499.

While that $100 savings may sound tempting, there are some compelling reasons to buy the disc-drive PS5. Once games have been out for a while, the disc version is usually cheaper. Plus, you can play your old PS4 discs on the new console, and you can resell PS5 game discs when you’re done, which you can’t do with digital versions. That’s all before you consider the ability to play Ultra HD Blu-rays.

Both versions of the PlayStation 5 are sold out everywhere, and stock resupplies are sporadic. Best Buy.

Both versions of the console are available worldwide, with the PS5 releasing on November 12 in select territories, and November 19 for the rest of the world. There are a few things to consider here:

Firstly, you’ll be losing out on the console doubling up as a 4K Blu-ray disc player, which is a nice added bonus for home cinema fans. Considering standalone 4K Blu-ray players cost several hundred dollars and/or pounds themselves, that’s a considerable chunk of cash saved.

Secondly, those with a disc drive will be able to take advantage of being able to swap, loan, borrow, and trade physical disc-based games with their friends and exchange stores. Over the course of a console’s lifespan, that could add up to considerable second-hand savings. So what you may save now with the digital console may cost you over the course of a few years, since you'll be paying whatever prices Sony and game publishers decide to set. That’s before taking into consideration the actual joy of owning a physical thing.

DO you need to upgrade?

The lack of PlayStation 5 must-have exclusive games may give you pause. Most of the top titles that will land over the next few months are likely to have PS4 versions available. Don't feel like you'll miss out on games if you're perfectly happy with your existing PS4.

On the other hand, the PS5 improves on the PS4 in many significant ways, and you can get a deeper flavor of what it has to offer in our PS5 review. If you don’t already own a PlayStation 4, then the PlayStation Plus Collection for the PS5, which gives you access to a library of the top PS4 games like Fallout 4 and God of War as a part of your PS Plus membership, is a necessity.

Where to Buy the PlayStation 5 in UK?

You can buy the PlayStation 5 directly from Sony or a range of major retailers. We don’t know exactly when new stock appears but rest assured there are more consoles on the way. Here are some of the main places to keep an eye on:

Game

Amazon

Asda

Very

Currys

BT

John Lewis

Argos

ShopTo

Sony

Tips: How to Own a PS5 without refreshing pages endlessly?

Stock can drop without warning at any time, but you shouldn't sit on websites refreshing the page endlessly in hopes of snagging a PS5. Here are some tips to boost your chances of securing one. And trust us, even if you follow our advice, it's still a painful, aggravating process. You could have zero luck finding one. The best we can say is to be patient and keep trying.

Sign Up: Sign up for accounts with Sony and every retailer you’re tracking. Input and save your credit card information so that you can check out faster if a PS5 does pop up. If you have a PS5 in your cart but fail to check out in time, then save it in your cart for the next time it comes into stock so you can check out faster.

Sony Direct Queue: Sony has a system where you can join a queue for a chance to buy a PS5. The good thing is there are measures in place to block scalper bots. You need a PSN account, and it’s a good idea to enter address and payment information ahead of time. Once you join the virtual queue you should get wait time estimates. Keep the browser window open, and do not be tempted to leave or you will lose your place. You may have to solve a captcha to prove you’re not a bot, so be ready. Unfortunately, there’s a chance you’ll wait only to be told it’s out of stock.

Consider Bundles: Some retailers mix new PlayStation 5 stock into bundles, selling the console with extra accessories or games. These bundles can be expensive, but if they include items you’re already planning to buy they might make sense for you. Bundles don’t tend to sell out as quickly or attract so many scalpers, so you have a better chance of snagging one before they’re all gone.

Stock Trackers: Various websites and services track PS5 console stock across a wide variety of retailers. Try Stock Informer, NowInStock, or the OctoShop Chrome Extension. You can sign up and get alerts on various channels with these stock trackers, but you’ll need to react quickly when an alert pops up, because a lot of people use them.

Twitter Stock Alerts: There are various accounts on Twitter that tweet when PS5 stock lands. Big retailers will also sometimes tweet from official accounts about restocks. You’ll need a Twitter account and the app on your phone. Once you have followed an account, tap on the bell icon to get alerts when they tweet. Just be aware you’ll get some spam and ads for other things from some accounts. Here are a few that may be worth following: @Wario64, @PS5RestockAlert, @PS5StockAlerts, @iloveps_5.

Be Persistent: If you know that a fresh batch of PS5 consoles has come onto the market, don’t be discouraged by out-of-stock notices. Many retailers will release fresh stock in waves throughout the day, so it can be worth checking back periodically.

And remembers these tips to win a chance to buy

1. Have all your information filled out, and be logged in, before trying to buy the console through a digital storefront.

2. Use your smartphone instead of a computer.

3. Set up alerts on social media for accounts that monitor for stock, like @Wario64 and @Videogamedeals.

4. If you do fail, leave the item in your digital cart — and skip several steps the next time supplies are in.

5. Use Apple Pay if you can.

6. If all else fails, there are subscription-based groups that were created specifically to facilitate the purchase of highly sought after products that can be resold.

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