PS5: Price, models, best games and everything you need to know

Six years after launch, the PlayStation 5 is more expensive than ever but also has more games than ever. Here is our complete guide to Sony’s console, from which model to buy to what PS Plus really costs.

The PlayStation 5 turns six next month, and it is still one of the best-selling consoles around. Sony had shipped 95.3 million PS5s by the end of June 2026, and 125 million people log on to the PlayStation Network every month.

It has also become a very different machine from the one that launched in November 2020. There are now three models, prices have gone up rather than down, and a new AI upscaling feature is giving older consoles a boost.

This page brings it all together. Each section gives you the short answer, and we will add in-depth guides on each topic soon.

PS5 at a glance

Which PS5 models are there?

Sony sells three versions of the PS5. They all play the same games. The difference is the disc drive, the storage and how good those games look.

• PS5 (standard): the slimmer model Sony introduced in November 2023, with a 1TB drive and a disc drive for physical games and Blu-rays.
• PS5 Digital Edition: the same console without a disc drive, so every game has to be downloaded. In some regions, including Europe and the US, newer units have a smaller 825GB drive.
• PS5 Pro: the most powerful model, launched in November 2024. It has a faster graphics chip, a 2TB drive and Sony’s AI upscaling, called PSSR, for sharper images. It has no disc drive as standard, but you can add one.

The original, larger PS5 from 2020 is no longer made, but it still plays every game.

For most people, the standard PS5 is the best choice. The Digital Edition saves money up front but locks you into the PlayStation Store. The Pro is worth it mainly if you have a large 4K TV and care about the best possible picture.

How much does a PS5 cost?

Sony raised prices around the world on 2 April 2026, blaming “continued pressures in the global economic landscape”. A worldwide shortage of computer memory, driven by the boom in AI data centres, has made the parts inside consoles more expensive.

These are Sony’s recommended prices:

That makes the PS5 one of the few consoles to cost more six years after launch than on day one. The standard model was $499.99 in 2020. Prices in other countries vary, and retailers often sell below these prices during sales.

PS5 specs

All PS5 models use a custom chip designed with AMD. The Pro uses a much bigger graphics chip.

The biggest change this year came in software. In October 2026, Sony brought AI upscaling to the standard PS5 for the first time. Called QSSR, it is a lighter version of the Pro’s PSSR technology, and it makes games look sharper without slowing them down. It works only in games that have been updated to support it, starting with Marvel’s Wolverine and Ghost of Yōtei.

Best PS5 games

After six years, the PS5 has one of the strongest game libraries of any console. It can also play almost every PS4 game. Here are some of the essentials:

• Astro Bot: a joyful platform game that shows off the DualSense controller better than anything else.
• Ghost of Yōtei: a samurai adventure in 17th-century Japan and one of Sony’s biggest hits of recent years. Analysts estimate it is close to 5 million copies sold.
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: swing across New York as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales.
• God of War Ragnarök: Kratos and his son Atreus face the end of the Norse world.
• Saros: a fast, tough action game from the makers of Returnal, and one of the best-reviewed games of 2026.
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach: Hideo Kojima’s strange, beautiful journey across a broken Australia.
• Gran Turismo 7: the definitive driving game on PlayStation.
• Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3: two of the best games of the decade, both on PS5.

Sony’s newest exclusive, Marvel’s Wolverine, launched on 15 September 2026. It was Sony’s biggest UK boxed launch of the year, although reviews were cooler than for Insomniac’s Spider-Man games.

Upcoming PS5 games

The biggest date in the diary is 19 November 2026, when Grand Theft Auto 6 is due on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Publisher Take-Two has repeatedly said it is on track. There is no PC version at launch.

Other big games still to come this year include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (23 October) and Phantom Blade Zero (29 October).

Looking further ahead, Sony has confirmed a new God of War starring Kratos, and Naughty Dog is working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Neither has a release date yet.

What is PlayStation Plus?

PlayStation Plus is Sony’s subscription service. You need it to play most games online, and the higher tiers add a Netflix-style library of games. There are three tiers:

• Essential: online multiplayer, a few free games each month, cloud saves and discounts.
• Extra: everything in Essential, plus a catalogue of hundreds of PS5 and PS4 games to download.
• Premium: everything in Extra, plus classic PlayStation games, game trials and cloud streaming of PS5 games.

Sony raised prices for new subscribers in May 2026. These are the current monthly prices:

A 12-month subscription works out much cheaper than paying monthly. Games in the Extra and Premium catalogues come and go, so check which titles are leaving before you start a long game.

PS5 accessories

• DualSense: the standard controller, with haptic feedback and “adaptive” triggers that push back as you play.
• DualSense Edge: a pro controller with swappable sticks, back buttons and custom profiles.
• PlayStation Portal: a handheld screen with built-in controls that streams games from your PS5 over Wi-Fi. It cannot play games on its own.
• PlayStation VR2: Sony’s virtual reality headset, which plugs into the PS5.
• Disc drive: an add-on that lets the Digital Edition and PS5 Pro play physical games.

Can you upgrade PS5 storage?

Yes. Games now regularly take up more than 100GB, so the built-in drive fills up fast. Every PS5 model has a spare slot for a standard M.2 SSD, and you can also use an external USB drive to store PS5 games or play PS4 games.

Is the PS5 going digital-only?

Not yet, but it is heading that way. In July 2026, Sony said it would stop making physical discs for new PlayStation games from January 2028. Digital downloads already make up 85% of full-game sales on PS4 and PS5, according to Sony.

The decision has angered many fans and collectors. Discs you already own will keep working, and the standard PS5 still has a disc drive.

Should you buy a PS5 now or wait for the PS6?

Sony has not announced the PS6. Its boss has said the company has not decided when to launch it, or at what price, and reports suggest it could slip to 2028 because of the memory shortage. It is also likely to cost far more than a PS5.

So if you want to play the biggest games now, including GTA 6, the PS5 still makes sense. Most new games are expected to come out on both consoles for years.

Read our full guide: PS6: release date, price, specs and everything we know

For Sony’s own details on every model, visit the official PS5 page.

The bottom line

The PS5 is a great console with an outstanding library, and GTA 6 is about to make it even more popular. The catch is the price. It costs more now than at launch, and PS Plus has gone up too.

If you are buying one, the standard PS5 with a disc drive is the safest choice. We will keep this guide updated as prices, games and hardware change.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a PS5?

The standard PS5 costs $649.99, £569.99 or €649.99. The Digital Edition costs $599.99, £519.99 or €599.99, and the PS5 Pro costs $899.99, £789.99 or €899.99. Retailers often sell for less.

What is the difference between the PS5 and PS5 Pro?

The Pro has a more powerful graphics chip, double the storage and Sony’s PSSR upscaling, so games look sharper and run more smoothly. Both play the same games.

Can the PS5 play PS4 games?

Yes. Sony says more than 99% of PS4 games work on the PS5, and many run better.

Do I need PS Plus to play online?

For most games, yes. Free-to-play games such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone can be played online without it.

Is GTA 6 coming to PS5?

Yes. Grand Theft Auto 6 is due on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on 19 November 2026.

When is the PS6 coming out?

Sony has not announced a date. Leaks point to late 2027, but 2028 now looks more likely. Here is everything we know about the PS6.