Is the PS5 Worth Buying in 2026? My Expert Analysis Says Yes
PlayStation fans eager to upgrade to next generation gaming should absolutely consider purchasing a PS5 in 2024 if they can find one for retail pricing. Despite supply constraints, the PS5‘s impressive performance, outstanding exclusive games, and future potential make it a worthwhile investment. This detailed guide will provide my expert analysis on the PS5‘s capabilities, value, and outlook.
Summary View: The PS5 Delivers a Massive Leap, Assuming You Can Actually Get One
I fully recommend the PS5 for serious gamers who want the highest quality experiences and best exclusives. Comparing the specs and performance to the previous PS4 generation shows just how big of a leap the PS5 represents. It provides closer parity to high end gaming PCs than past PlayStation consoles. However, the brutal supply shortages cannot be ignored. Scoring a PS5 remains difficult, though improving. If you have the patience to hunt for inventory and pay no more than retail pricing, the PS5 is a superb addition for 2024 and beyond.
Diving Into the Technical Specs and Performance
On paper, the PlayStation 5‘s cutting edge AMD system-on-chip provides performance approaching high end gaming PCs. The CPU is a custom 8-core, 16-thread Zen 2 running at 3.5GHz. This represents a giant step up from the PS4‘s underpowered Jaguar cores. While not matching top desktop Ryzen chips, the PS5 CPU chews through game logic and physics with ease.
The RDNA 2 based GPU packs 36 compute units for 10.28 teraflops of power. This dwarfs the 1.84 teraflops of the PS4‘s graphics. Here‘s a quick comparison table:
| Specification | PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 8 Jaguar Cores @ 1.6GHz | 8 Zen 2 Cores @ 3.5GHz | 8 Zen 2 Cores @ 3.8GHz |
| GPU | 18 GCN CUs @ 800MHz | 36 RDNA 2 CUs @ 2.23GHz | 52 RDNA 2 CUs @ 1.825GHz |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 500GB HDD | 825GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Teraflops | 1.84 | 10.28 | 12.15 |
Benchmarks on graphically intense games show the PS5 comfortably averaging 60fps or hitting up to 120fps on supported 4K displays. Load times are slashed to seconds thanks to the built-in solid state drive. Developers like Insomniac Games have praised the PS5 SSD for enabling new gameplay options.
According to Sony‘s internal estimates, they are selling each PS5 at a profit of around $50 per unit. This gives them incentive to ramp up production. Bloomberg analysts project PlayStation 5 lifetime sales should easily top 120 million units. That would edge out the PS4‘s stellar 115 million units sold.
The Library of PlayStation Exclusives Keeps Getting Better
The main reason to buy any console is for the exclusive games. Sony‘s first party studios have an unmatched reputation for blockbuster single player experiences. Early highlights like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Horizon Forbidden West only scratch the surface of what PS5 has in store. Major franchises like God of War, Spider-Man, Gran Turismo, and more have sequels in the works.
Here is just a sample of the exclusives on the horizon:
2023
- God of War Ragnarök
- Spider-Man 2
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Forspoken
- Horizon Call of the Mountain VR
2024 and beyond
- Gran Turismo 7
- Marvel‘s Wolverine
- Marvel‘s Spider-Man 3
- New Uncharted project
- Next Naughty Dog franchise
PlayStation studios like Naughty Dog and Santa Monica Studio are known for their strong track records of delivering groundbreaking single player, story-driven experiences. Given their pedigree, the PS5 promises many definitive gaming moments in the years ahead.
PlayStation VR2 Targeting 2023 Launch
Virtual reality gaming remains a bit niche, but Sony is committed to a second generation PS VR headset arriving within the PS5‘s lifecycle. The PS VR2 will offer 4K HDR passthrough to the headset screens, inside-out tracking eliminating the need for external cameras, advanced haptic feedback built into the VR2 Sense controllers, eye tracking, 3D audio, and more. Horizon Call of the Mountain is a PS VR2 exclusive spin-off in the Horizon series coming in 2024.
PS5 Enhances Your Existing PS4 Library
The PS5‘s raw horsepower doesn‘t just benefit next-gen games. It can also boost performance of your existing PS4 library with higher framerates, improved loading times, and heightened visuals. Select PS4 titles receive official patches to optimize them for PS5. Upwards of 99% of all PS4 games work on the PS5 via backwards compatibility, giving you access to an expansive library from day one.
How Does PS5 Game Ownership and Subscription Stack Up?
PlayStation offers two main tiers for building your game collection. The higher PS+ Premium tier at $17.99 monthly or $119.99 annually includes perks like:
- 400+ PS4 and PS5 game library
- Time-limited game trials
- Cloud game streaming
- Downloadable classic PS1, PS2, PSP games
The cheaper PS+ Essential at $9.99 monthly or $59.99 annually provides online multiplayer access, exclusive discounts, and monthly game downloads.
Comparing to Xbox, Game Pass Ultimate at $14.99 monthly is similar to PS+ Premium in value. While Game Pass offers day one access to Microsoft‘s first party games, PlayStation studios release their big exclusives at full price. So building a PlayStation library costs more upfront.
Global Chip Shortage Continues Constraining Supply
The great PS5 supply drought of 2022 appears to be loosening its grip, albeit slowly. July 2022 saw PS5 weekly sales jump to their highest levels since launch, over 120,000 units moved in the US according to NPD. Holiday inventory is ramping up to meet demand. While still challenging to find in stores, restocks are occurring more regularly on retailer websites. I advise persistence through direct queues and stock tracking accounts on Twitter. Keep at it and you should hopefully secure a PS5 in 2024 without overly inflated bundle pricing.
What Does the Future Hold for PS5‘s Lifespan?
Historically, PlayStation consoles last 5-7 years before being succeeded by next generation hardware. The PS4 spanned a full 7 years from launch to the PS5 release. Given the global chip shortage limiting production, the PS5 could potentially match if not exceed that cycle.
Rumors already swirl around an eventual "PS5 Pro" with upgraded specs. This is unconfirmed by Sony but not unprecedented. The PS4 Pro released just 3 years after the base PS4 to offer 4K gaming. A PS5 Pro likely wouldn‘t arrive until at least 2024.
The Verdict: An Unequivocal Yes, If You Can Actually Get One
Excellent performance, stunning exclusive games, virtual reality support, and a clear long term direction from Sony make the PS5 a highly tantalizing upgrade. Considering you‘ll likely own one for the next 5-7 years, it‘s the obvious choice for playing the best PlayStation experiences. While supply shortages continue hampering easy availability, the situation is improving month to month. With diligence and luck, you should be able to secure a PS5 in 2024 at retail cost. For hardcore gamers, buying the PlayStation 5 remains an exciting investment in next generation entertainment – if you have the patience.