PS5 Digital Edition vs PS5
The PS5 Digital Edition and the PS5 come from the same family, which makes choosing between them trickier than it looks. On paper, these two are close. Only a handful of specs separate them by a margin you’d actually notice. One more thing to weigh: a launch price difference of $100, with the PS5 Digital Edition as the lower-priced option. The details are below, grouped by area so you can skip straight to what you care about.
At a glance
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Price PS5 Digital Edition wins
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage6.2
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage6.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The PS5 Digital Edition has a 1.32 lb lighter body
On this line of the spec sheet, the PS5 Digital Edition is in a different league: 8.60 lb, next to 9.92 lb for the PS5. Extra weight often reflects bigger cooling or batteries, so the PS5 may be heavier for a reason.
-
The PS5 has
The PS5 Digital Edition lists less (3.62 in) and the PS5 more (4.09 in). It’s a preference, not a verdict. Taller consoles are harder to tuck into media cabinets; shorter ones blend in more easily.
Design & Size
- PS5 Digital Edition 15.35 in × 3.62 in × 10.24 in
- PS5 15.35 in × 4.09 in × 10.24 in
Size-wise, the PS5 takes up more space, and the PS5 Digital Edition is easier to fit where room is tight. The PS5 Digital Edition weighs 1.32 lb less than the PS5.
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 15.35 in |
| Height | 3.62 in | 4.09 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 10.24 in |
| Weight | 8.60 lb (winner) | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class |
Performance
Too close to call
If performance matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Treat performance as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Call the memory & storage round a draw. On memory & storage alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Features & Media
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the features & media details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores / 16 threads | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores / 16 threads |
| CPU max clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.50 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based, up to 2.23 GHz | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based, up to 2.23 GHz |
| GPU compute units | 36 | 36 |
| GPU compute (FP32)Manufacturer figure | 10.28 TFLOPS | 10.28 TFLOPS |
| Max output resolution | 8K output; 4K at 120 Hz | 8K output; 4K at 120 Hz |
| Max frame rate | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Hardware ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| System memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
| Built-in storage | 825 GB | 825 GB |
| Storage type | Custom NVMe SSD | Custom NVMe SSD |
| Storage expansion | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; USB extended storage | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; USB extended storage |
Features & Media
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | None | Ultra HD Blu-ray |
| Handheld play | No | No |
| Built-in screen | None | None |
| Backward compatibility | Most PS4 games | Most PS4 games |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 15.35 in |
| Height | 3.62 in | 4.09 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 10.24 in |
| Weight | 8.60 lb (winner) | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $400 (winner) | $500 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the PS5 Digital Edition is the clear budget pick, coming in $100 (25%) below the PS5. If the PS5 Digital Edition covers your priorities, the $100 saving is a strong argument.
Based on US launch pricing as of November 2020. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the PS5 Digital Edition if…
- you move your console between rooms or take it on trips (8.60 lb vs 9.92 lb)
- you’d rather keep $100 in your pocket
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the PS5 Digital Edition or the PS5?
The PS5 has its strengths, but the PS5 Digital Edition saves $100, which makes it the value pick.
Which is larger, the PS5 Digital Edition or the PS5?
The PS5 is the larger of the two. It measures 15.35 × 4.09 × 10.24 in, compared with 15.35 × 3.62 × 10.24 in for the PS5 Digital Edition.
Which costs less, the PS5 Digital Edition or the PS5?
The PS5 launched at $100 more than the PS5 Digital Edition, based on prices as of November 2020.
Is the PS5 Digital Edition lighter than the PS5?
On the scale, the PS5 Digital Edition comes out ahead at 1.32 lb lighter than the PS5.
Executive Summary
Same family, different trade-offs: that’s how I read the PS5 Digital Edition and the PS5. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the PS5 Digital Edition has a 1.32 lb lighter body.
Who should get which? The PS5 Digital Edition for portability, the PS5 for the things a spec sheet can’t capture.
My pick: the PS5 Digital Edition, since I think the $100 gap buys less than it should.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.