After years of speculation, months of teasing, and tantalizing rumors, the launch of the PlayStation 5 is almost upon us. But, now a few weeks before launch, there's still a lot we don't know. Of course, there is SSD technology there. And AMD will be behind the graphics and processing units. But what about the design? What about launch games? What about the features to make the PS5 not just a gaming console, but a hub for all your entertainment needs? Being wary of the wind, the TechRadar team has rounded up the most sought after features for the PS5, as realistic or, in some cases, bizarre as they are. More ports, more varied ports.
Bill Thomas - IT Editor One of my biggest mistakes with PS4 and PS4 Pro is the lack of ports offered. Admittedly, this is probably a niche case, but I like being able to load multiple controllers without having to buy a cumbersome docking station or dongle, as well as plug in an external hard drive. One of my favorite things about PC gaming is the ability to have something like 10 USB ports on one device. I also want more types of ports. When the console hits the streets it will be 2020, close to 2021, so it absolutely needs USB-C. External SSDs are more common than ever, and fast data performance will be absolutely essential for anyone looking to store their games remotely. Also, DisplayPort – I want to connect my PS5 to a fancy gaming monitor and be able to get the most out of it.
Tom Bedford: Writer - Phones I'm sick of the slow charging of the PS4 controller and the speed with which it lacks power; sometimes it seems to me that I spend more time turning on the controller than I do. It actually uses wireless. The PS5 controller absolutely needs a USB-C connection and more battery capacity if you don't want to be too late, but wireless charging would be nice to include (preferably with an in-console charger), so powering up the tech is easy and straightforward. . Dolby Atmos and Vision for home theater superiority
Gerald Lynch: Head Writer - Home and Lifestyle The PlayStation 4 Pro was a step in the right direction, bringing 4K visuals and HDR support to Sony's gaming and streaming lines. But this is not the complete cinematic image that we want at the moment. Now that the PS5 is known to be able to play 4K Blu-ray media like the Xbox One X before it, I'd like to see Sony double down on the premium cinema technologies that are now available to the public. That is, more HDR support and better surround sound options. I'm mainly talking about Dolby technologies here. If you haven't watched a movie on a Dolby Vision display yet, using dynamic metadata to change contrast, black levels, and peak brightness on the fly, you haven't lived. And the same goes for Dolby Atmos audio, which uses either discrete speakers or smart speakers to bounce audio over you, making for a more immersive and emotional viewing experience. These would be great technologies and features to include not just for movie screenings. movies, but also for true next-generation gaming experiences.
James Peckham – Phone Editor As of this writing, I have a maximum of 10 games downloaded to my PlayStation 4. It's a day one console, so there's only 500GB of storage available. Inside and since I now have a few games that have passed the 100 GB mark, it becomes unbearable. With a version of the PS4 Pro with 1TB of storage, I expect this and more on the PlayStation 5. One rumor suggested the console would come with 2TB, but I expect even more than when the console will land under my TV. I want to be able to install all my games at once without having to uninstall a giant like Red Dead Redemption 2 or Hitman 2 to make room for the latest PS Plus addition to my catalogue. Sure, I could buy an external hard drive... but I think I'll wait until the end of the year and get a whole new console. Native backwards compatibility... with everything
Samuel Roberts – Senior Entertainment Writer Sony's attitude towards backwards compatibility has been pretty bad compared to Microsoft. It's as if the manufacturer forgot that it was making two of the best-selling consoles of all time, each with an extensive software library (the PS3 was pretty good, too). I'm sure there are cost-based and technical reasons why backwards compatibility with games from older PlayStation consoles isn't easy, and clearly for Microsoft, emulating all these games on Xbox has been a big deal. But what a way to celebrate its heritage as a platform. It's not enough to be able to stream (and download, in some cases) these games on PS Now, if you ask me. Sony should make an effort to get more of its various software libraries on PS5 than on PS4. It just makes an all-in-one subscription option that much more compelling, as Xbox Game Pass illustrates. If I could pop PS10 7/10 classics like The Matrix: Path of Neo and True Crime: Streets of LA discs into my PS5 and read them in 4K, I'd be a happy man. But it doesn't make sense that I can play PSone games on my PS2 and PS3, but not on my PS4.
Henry St Leger: National Tech Writer Despite a number of specs (and this unfortunate logo) for the PS5, we've yet to hear much about how Sony's game streaming service PS Now will evolve on the console. Next Generation. Sure, more power should help stream these games more effectively, but the real win would be giving your entire 800-game streaming library a download option. The PS Now platform already does this for some titles, but not enough: offline play helps prevent lag or dropout issues when streaming online. (Bloodborne punishes as it is!) We know game streaming will be important, with Google Stadia expanding its offering, and Xbox's Project xCloud should also support PS Now. But as long as Internet speeds vary as widely as between homes, cities, and countries, Sony must be careful not to leave a generation of gamers behind. A solid list of exclusives
Vic Hood – Game Writer Many of the reasons why PlayStation 4 has been so successful is because of the high quality of PlayStation exclusives on offer. The likes of Spider-Man, God of War, and Horizon Zero Dawn can be considered some of the best games of this console generation, and they were only available on PS4. This is a key factor in why I chose the console, and many others, regarding PS4 vs Xbox One and it's something I really look forward to. which Sony will continue to develop. We may not know much about the PS5 exclusives in the works, though we expect future games like The Last of Us 2 and Ghost of Tsushima to be cross-gen. But hopefully we'll see a Horizon Zero Dawn 2 reveal, a potential God of War sequel, and at least one fantastic new IP to sink into for hours. I hope we don't have to wait too long and we'll see at least one of these games as a PS5 launch title.
John McCann, Associate Editor The idea of being able to stream and play your PlayStation to another device in your home is fantastic. Whether I'm streaming to a tablet or a TV in another room, I was totally into Remote Play... until I really tried. It's bad. Like, really, really bad. Slow, late, poor quality. You cannot comfortably play a game that requires quick reactions, especially if you are playing online against others. The PS5 has a chance to solve this problem. Reduce lag and latency, improve streaming efficiency, and deliver 4K resolution, so you get the same experience from a distance as if you were sitting on the couch in front of your console. One more thing... Yes, this is a stretch. But if there's one thing that guarantees I'll buy the PS5 on launch day, it's going to be this. If Rockstar and Sony can come together to align the release of the PS5 with the release of GTA 6, they'll sell me. It's also the kind of big-name headline that will excite people and drive sales. If GTA 6 offers a significantly improved experience compared to the PS4 version (as GTA 5 did between PS3 and PS4), there will be even more reasons for consumers to buy a Next Generation Machine. Besides, I'll be delighted, and that's really what's important here.