Is digital only PS5 worth it?

Hey friend! With the PlayStation 5, Sony offers both a standard disc drive model and a Digital Edition without a drive. I know you‘re trying to decide: is the digital-only PS5 worth it? As an industry analyst, let me walk you through the key factors so you can make the right choice.

I‘ll examine the pros and cons in detail. But to summarize upfront – the disc drive PS5 provides more flexibility and value long-term. However, the Digital Edition is a reasonable budget option if you‘re comfortable going all-digital.

Digital console trends: where we are today

Digital game downloads have exploded in popularity recently. According to Sony financials, an incredible 63% of PS4 game sales in 2021 were digital rather than physical discs. Plus, 46% of U.S. gamers say they are now 100% digital.

However, used and new disc sales still represented a whopping $2.7 billion market in 2021. So discs remain very relevant. Many gamers still prefer physical games for these key reasons:

Cost savings – New physical games cost $10 less than digital, averaging $49.99 versus $59.99. And you can resell or buy used copies at steep discounts.

Sharing & lending – Discs allow you to share and lend games with friends. Digital game licenses are locked to your account.

Collections & gifts – Collectors want to display cases and discs. Physical games also make for more exciting gifts.

No internet issues – Slow/capped internet makes downloading giant 100GB games difficult, if not impossible.

Future proofing – There is some concern digital purchases won‘t carry over to future consoles. Discs offer more permanence.

While digital dominates volume, physical clearly still offers compelling benefits. This table summarizes the landscape:

Format	% Market Share	Key Benefits
Digital game downloads	63%	Convenience, no changing discs
Physical discs	37%	Cost savings, sharing, collections

Next let‘s look at how your gaming habits and game library should influence your thinking.

Game library and buying factors

To make the right PS5 edition choice, take an honest look at your current game collection and buying preferences:

• Do you have a large PS4 physical disc library? The Digital PS5 can‘t play these – you‘d need to rebuy games digitally.
• Do you typically buy used games at discounts? All-digital loses this savings avenue.
• Do you trade in games after completing? Again, no trade-in options with digital licenses.
• Do you have slow rural internet? Large downloads will be a non-starter.

Carefully consider these factors vs. your desire for the $100 savings from the Digital model. Your specific game habits really dictate whether the disc drive‘s flexibility is worth it.

For example, let‘s say you buy 2 used $20 games per month on average. Over 3 years, that‘s $1,440 in savings – far outweighing the Digital Edition‘s lower price point. But if you buy almost all new digital games, the savings diminish.

Storage space: digital vs. physical

Here‘s an interesting side note – installed PS5 game sizes are identical whether from disc or download. I know some people assume digital is smaller, but it‘s the same massive game files either way.

The PS5 comes with a speedy 825GB SSD, with about 667GB usable space. Here‘s how it fills up:

• PS5 titles average 35-100GB (hefty!)
• Expect 10-15 average sized PS5 games to fit
• 4K gaming uses more space than 1080p
• You can store PS4 games on a USB hard drive

While physical discs avoid downloads, both versions still require big game installs eating your SSD space. So upgrading the storage is key whichever model you choose.

Thankfully, Sony enables you to install compatible M.2 SSD drives in the PS5 to expand space. I‘d recommend this upgrade down the road once you start filling up.

Digital vs. disc PS5: weighing up the key pros and cons

Let‘s recap the core benefits of choosing digital vs. disc PS5 editions:

PS5 with disc drive benefits:

• Play PS4/PS5 discs + Blu-ray movies
• Buy & sell used games to save $$
• Lend and share games with friends
• Display or collect discs if desired
• Avoid slow/capped internet for downloads
• Future proof for physical media

PS5 Digital Edition benefits:

• $100 cheaper upfront cost
• Slightly thinner and lighter
• No need to change discs
• Games available instantly, no waiting
• Simpler all-digital ecosystem

As you can see, both options have their merits. Discs provide more flexibility, while digital offers simplicity.

There‘s no definitively "right" choice – it depends on your budget, game habits, and any desire for physical media.

Key questions to ask yourself

Let‘s get down to brass tacks – here are 5 key questions to reflect on before deciding:

1) Do you care about your PS4 disc library?

If you have a big PS4 collection, discs let you play them on PS5. All-digital means you‘d have to rebuy digitally.

2) Do you buy many used game discs to save money?

Used discs are an instant way to keep gaming affordable. If this matters to you, the disc drive makes sense.

3) Do you want to share, lend or re-sell games?

Discs enable lending games to friends or trading them in when done. Big perk for social gamers!

4) Do you have issues with slow internet or data caps?

Rural internet often struggles with giant game downloads. Discs avoid this nicely.

5) Do you care about displaying your disc collection?

For collectors who take pride in their library, discs let you build a showcase.

If you said "yes" to one or more questions, the PS5 with 4K blu-ray disc drive is likely the better pick. But if you‘re all set with digital, the cheaper Digital Edition may suffice.

There‘s no "one size fits all" verdict. Reflect on your specific gaming lifestyle.

The final verdict

After looking at all factors – library, internet, budget, and gaming habits – here‘s my two cents:

The PS5 with disc drive is the best value for most gamers. The ability to buy or sell used games, share titles, and play your PS4 discs really adds up. Discs provide savings and flexibility most people will appreciate.

However, the all-digital PS5 is a reasonable option for budget-focused gamers comfortable going disc-less. If you don‘t care about used games or already went all-digital last gen, saving $100 upfront may be worthwhile.

In the end, look at your own gaming needs. There‘s no definitively right or wrong model – just make sure you consider the benefits of discs before going all-digital. Many gamers forget how much extra value the disc drive enables.

I hope this detailed look at both consoles was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy next-gen and game on!