Sony has just announced the official pricing and availability details for its much-awaited next-gen console at its PS5 Showcase event, setting up a showdown with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S this holiday season.

(Update, October 11, 2023: Just announced: A more compact and slimmer PS5 than the original!)

(Update, November 11: This is it! Check out the Sony PlayStation 5’s Philippine availability plus pricing of the console and accessories and games at launch.)

How much is the Sony PS5?

The Sony PlayStation 5 will come in two editions. There’s the cheaper PS5 Digital Edition, which will be priced at $399.99 (about P19,344 converted), while the regular version with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive costs $499.99 (P24,180).

See you in November! pic.twitter.com/CjrQ65rJ5a

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 16, 2020

Pricing in other countries

How do PS5 prices compare with those of the Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S?

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will be sold for $499 (P24,160) and $299 (P14,477), respectively. Both consoles will launch November 10, but preorders open September 22.

Microsoft will launch with the cheapest next-gen system, but it will come with certain compromises, such as a weaker GPU that won’t support native 4K gaming. What’s more, the Series S is digital-only, so you’ll have to download your games rather than load them on a disc drive.

Check out the graphic below for a full specs comparison.

Which next-gen system are you buying? ????#PlayStation5 or #Xbox???? pic.twitter.com/Z2OuUPiQsN

— DEXERTO.COM (@Dexerto) September 16, 2020

Sony PlayStation 5 vs Microsoft Xbox Series X vs Microsoft Xbox Series S: A comparison

When will the Sony PS5 be available?

Starting November 12, the Sony PlayStation 5 will be available in seven key markets at launch, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. If you live in any of these countries, you can preorder your PS5 now.

Sony says the global rollout will resume November 19, with launches throughout the year to include the rest of the world. This will cover markets in Europe, Middle East, South America, Asia, and South Africa. Let’s see when retailers like DataBlitz will offer it in the Philippines.

The PS5 launch date for the Chinese market is “still under exploration and will be announced at a later date.”

The limited initial release corroborates previous rumors claiming there will be a shortage of PlayStation 5 consoles at launch due to chip constraints.

What are the key features of the Sony PS5?

Unlike Microsoft’s approach to this console generation, the only major difference between the standard and digital-only editions of the PlayStation 5 is the inclusion of a disc drive in the more expensive variant.

The performance should be identical if not very similar, as both PS5 models run on the same custom AMD-based CPU and GPU that deliver 4K graphics and ray-tracing support. Sony has also opted for a high-speed SSD with integrated I/O this time around for faster loading times.

Which games will launch with the Sony PS5?

The lineup of launch titles for the PlayStation 5 includes Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, Demon’s Souls, and NBA 2K21, which also released on current-gen consoles.

Sony also announced the following PS5 games earlier today:

• Final Fantasy XVI
• Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
• Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach
• Hogwarts Legacy
• God of War (untitled)

Based on available listings online and offline, Sony PlayStation 5 games will be priced between $49.99 (P2,421) and $69.99 (P3,389). Sony previously announced that almost all PS4 titles will be playable on its next-gen console.

Video of the Sony PlayStation 5 Showcase, in case you missed the livestream

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