The next generation of video game consoles has arrived with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/Series S. Both Sony and Microsoft are bringing new systems with fast SSD storage, 4K output, and interface tweaks.

If you're thinking of buying a new PlayStation 5, here are the details you need to know about Sony's latest console.

What Is the Next-Gen PlayStation Called?

Unlike Microsoft, which has used a unique name for each of its Xbox consoles, Sony is sticking with the straightforward numbered approach. The new PlayStation is simply called the PlayStation 5.

While it's not particularly exciting, it does make sense.

Read More: How Big Is the PlayStation 5 Exactly?

When Does the PlayStation 5 Launch?

The PlayStation 5 launches on November 12, 2020 in the following countries:

  • United States
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Mexico

In other regions, the PS5 will launch one week later, on November 19, 2020.

How Much Does the PlayStation 5 Cost?

Sony offers two versions of the PS5: the regular model with a disc drive, as well as the PS5 Digital Edition, which does not have the option to play discs.

The regular PlayStation 5 costs $499.99, while the Digital Edition comes in cheaper at $399.99. $100 is a big difference, but don't forget that you can easily make it up from discounted discs, borrowing games from friends, and similar over the years of owning a PS5.

Related: PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition: Which One Should You Buy?

What Games Are Coming to PS5?

Every PS5 will come pre-installed with the game Astro's Playroom, which is designed to show off the new DualSense controller features. The following Sony-published games will also be available on launch day:

  • Demon's Souls
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Many third-party games will be available on launch day as well, including:

  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
  • Borderlands 3
  • Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
  • NBA 2K21
  • Watch Dogs Legion

This is just what's available on day one. During an event in September 2020, Sony announced several games coming to the PS5 system in the future, including:

  • Final Fantasy XVI, only on PS5 and PC
  • Hogwarts Legacy, a Harry Potter game
  • Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
  • Ragnarok, a sequel to God of War 2018, coming in 2021
  • Resident Evil Village, coming in 2021
  • Deathloop

Sony also announced a new benefit for PlayStation Plus members: the PlayStation Plus Collection, which brings some of the PS4's greatest hits to your PS5. Subscribers can download and play them at no additional charge. Some of the games include:

  • God of War
  • Uncharted 4
  • Ratchet and Clank
  • Batman: Arkham Knight
  • Persona 5
  • Resident Evil 7

The New PlayStation 5 Controller: DualSense

A console's controller affects how you interact with everything in a game, so new controller features are always exciting. Sony has mentioned that it wants to "deepen the feeling of immersion when you play games," and the new controller reflects this.

DualSense PS5 Controller
Image Credit: The PlayStation Blog

The new PlayStation 5 controller is called the DualSense. While it doesn't have the Share button seen on the DualShock 4, Sony has replaced this with a new Create button.

Interestingly, the DualSense will feature a built-in microphone array. This means that you can chat with friends even when you don't have your headset connected.

You'll also notice that this controller includes a light bar similar to that seen on the DualShock 4. However, the DualSense has the light bar on either side of the touchpad, instead of sitting at the top of the controller. It also uses a modern USB-C connection for charging.

The company has made a few major innovations with the PS5's controller, which we explain below.

Related: How the PlayStation Controller Has Evolved From PS1 to PS5

Haptic Feedback

The first change is a switch from the classic "rumble" feature to haptic feedback. If you're not familiar, haptic feedback refers to a specific set of vibrations that make you feel a particular sensation. This is in contrast to rumble, which is simply a constant vibration at various strengths.

For example, you might feel a light tap when your character knocks on the door, but a heavy "slam" when you're tackled in a football game. This provides developers with better ways to make you feel like you're part of what's happening in a game.

Adaptive Triggers

Adaptive triggers are the other new development in the PS5 controller. These allow game developers to adjust the resistance of your controller triggers (the L2 and R2 buttons) based on in-game events.

For instance, you might have to push harder to pull back a bow and arrow, or to accelerate a vehicle over rough terrain. Combined with the haptic feedback, this should go a long way in helping you feel like the elements of the game are real.

What Specs Does the PS5 Have?

Seven years have passed since the PS4 launched, and that's a long time in the technological world. Thus, you can expect some beefed-up components inside the PS5 compared to the PS4. In March 2020, Sony held a developer-focused conference that confirmed what the PS5 packs inside.

CPU and GPU

The PS5 will boast a custom eight-core AMD ZEN 2 CPU. Sony has stated that it's clocked at a variable 3.5GHz frequency. This variable frequency means that the CPU can adjust its frequency on-the-fly based on the demand at any moment.

Meanwhile, the GPU is also a custom unit. It's based on AMD's RDNA 2, and is said to hit 10.28 teraflops. It has 36 compute units, is clocked at 2.23GHz, and is also variable frequency.

Sony has also confirmed that the PS5's GPU supports ray tracing (how real-time ray tracing changes gaming). This is an advanced graphics technology that renders extremely realistic lighting and shadows. It simulates each ray of light from a source, which is an intensive process.

Storage and RAM

Notably, the new system is leaving behind hard disk drives (HDD) in favor of faster solid-state drive (SSD) storage. As you probably already know, SSDs have no moving parts, so they can load data much faster than a traditional hard drive.

Sony plans to use a special 825GB NVMe SSD in the PS5. Having an SSD means developers won't have to build artificial walls into their games to slow you down and let the game load.

For comparison, Sony mentioned that while the PS4 takes about 20 seconds to load 1GB of data, it's aiming to have the PS5 load 5GB of data in just one second.

Switching to an SSD has additional benefits aside from speed. To minimize the amount of seeking an HDD has to do, developers sometimes duplicate generic assets all over the disk.

This leads to games taking up more space, which won't be necessary with an SSD. As a result, game developers will be able to cut down the size of games and patches, or add more detail into the same amount of space.

Also reassuring is the fact that the system comes with a spare NVMe slot, meaning you can expand your available storage when you run low. This won't require a proprietary storage type, but you will have to purchase a drive certified by Sony to work with the system.

Additionally, the PS5 will come with 16GB of DDR6 RAM.

Physical Games and the Disc Drive

With the standard PS5 model, the system uses 100GB BDXL discs for its 4K Blu-ray drive. These offer more storage than the PS4's 50GB Blu-ray discs. If you buy physical games, you'll still be required to install them onto the drive, since loading from an SSD is much faster than doing so from discs.

However, you'll have control over what you install (for supported games). If you don't care about the single-player part of a game, you could just install the multiplayer portion and worry about single-player later.

While the PS5 will also support external USB drives, this is only for backwards compatibility with PS4 titles. You must install PS5 games to the SSD.

More PlayStation 5 Information

We've covered most of the known information about the PlayStation 5, but there are still a few tidbits worth mentioning. For a whole lot more information, see Sony's Ultimate PS5 FAQ, along with what to consider before buying a PS5, which answers dozens of questions.

Sony has mentioned that the PS5 will feature a fresh interface for its home screen. This includes more readily available information about what multiplayer matches are available with friends, or rewards for completing certain single-player missions. You'll also be able to jump into the action with a friend much more quickly.

You'll be happy to hear that the PlayStation 5 is confirmed as backwards-compatible with "over 99 percent" of PS4 games. This is welcome news, as the PS4 wasn't backwards-compatible at all.

Sony has also discussed a new "3D audio" feature on the PS5, which offers greater sound fidelity. For example, you'll be able to hear the difference in raindrops hitting various surfaces around you.

You might also want to know how big the PS5 is, because it's quite a sizeable machine. You can also access a hidden web browser on the PS5.

Finally, the PS5 will support PSVR. The system can also handle 4K visuals at 120Hz, which means even smoother games if you have a compatible TV.

Can't Wait for the PlayStation 5?

That's the lowdown on the PS5. It's exciting to see the launch of a new console and all the games it brings.

However, don't forget that the PS4 has an excellent catalog of exclusive titles to play. You can play the best PS4 games on your PS5, or while you wait to upgrade to the new console!