Is the PS5 Worth It In 2026? Yes, Here‘s Why:
The quick answer is yes, the PlayStation 5 is absolutely worth buying in 2022! Despite some lingering supply shortages, now is a great time to upgrade to Sony‘s latest console. Keep reading below and I‘ll explain in detail why the PS5 is a worthwhile investment this year and remains an amazing next-generation gaming system.
I‘ve been gaming for 20+ years and closely follow console hardware advancements. I was fortunate enough to get a PS5 at launch and have been blown away by the experience ever since. From groundbreaking exclusive games to the powerful technical improvements, the PS5 delivers the definitive PlayStation experience. This guide will cover all the key benefits that make the PS5 a console you should strongly consider purchasing in 2022.
A Generational Leap in Hardware Performance
At its core, the PlayStation 5 represents a huge generational leap over the PS4 in terms of hardware performance and capabilities. Let‘s look at the tech specs and how they translate into real-world improvements:
CPU
- PS5: 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz
- PS4: 8x Jaguar Cores at 1.6GHz
The PS5 boasts a state-of-the-art 8 core AMD Zen 2 CPU which is dramatically faster than the PS4‘s dated Jaguar processor. In fact, the PS5 CPU has more than double the clock speed. This translates into faster load times and allows for much more complex in-game physics, AI behavior and simulations.
GPU
- PS5: 10.28 TFLOPs, 36 CUs @ 2.23GHz, Custom RDNA 2
- PS4: 1.84 TFLOPs, 18 CUs @ 800MHz, Custom GCN
The PS5‘s custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU dwarfs the PS4‘s power with 10+ teraflops vs only 1.8. With twice the compute units and nearly 3x the clock speed, the PS5 delivers far superior gaming visuals including 4K resolution, ray tracing and stable 60+ FPS.
Memory
- PS5: 16GB GDDR6
- PS4: 8GB GDDR5
The PS5 offers double the memory which helps drive the 4K visuals and complex game worlds. The faster GDDR6 also improves bandwidth by up to 100GB/s compared to the PS4‘s bandwidth.
Storage
- PS5: Custom 825GB SSD
- PS4: 500GB HDD
The PS5‘s ultra-fast SSD storage is a game changer. It massively decreases load times in games to just seconds in some cases. The new optimal storage system also streamlines how games install, update and manage assets.
IO Throughput
- PS5: 5.5GB/s (Raw), Typical 8-9GB/s
- PS4: Approx. 50-100MB/s
The PS5 achieves lightning fast data transfer from the SSD to the rest of the system. This completely changes how quickly games can load visual assets and removes loading bottlenecks.
Benefits Summary
Here is an overview of how these technical upgrades translate into real-world gameplay improvements:
- Near instant load times
- 4K resolution at 60+ FPS
- Improved visual effects like ray tracing
- More immersive 3D audio
- Complex in-game physics and simulations
- More responsive, adaptive controls
So in summary, the PS5 offers a massive generational leap over PS4 in terms of performance, visuals and immersion. You feel these enhancements with every game you play.
Outstanding First Party Games
Of course, flashy tech specs alone don‘t make a console purchase worthwhile. The games are what matter most. And PlayStation has an absolutely stellar lineup of first party exclusives that show off what the PS5 can do. Here are some of the highest rated PS5 exclusives available now:
Horizon Forbidden West
This open world action RPG is a direct PS5 exclusive sequel to the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn. It offers gorgeous visuals, an immersive world, deep combat mechanics and a compelling narrative. A must-play for PS5 owners.
Metacritic Score: 88
Demon‘s Souls
A total remake of the classic that ignited the "Souls-like" genre. This PS5 launch title features great utilization of the new hardware with incredibly fast loading, flawless 60 FPS combat, haptic feedback and visual splendor.
Metacritic Score: 92
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
The latest entry in the popular R&C series is a blast to play and widely considered the most "next-gen" feeling PS5 game yet. It has insanely fast loading, wicked weapons, outlandish new mobility options and downright pixar-like visuals.
Metacritic Score: 88
Gran Turismo 7
The king of racing sims is back and better than ever on PS5. With hyper-realistic visuals, super smooth 4K 60 FPS performance, engaging single player content and cutting-edge haptic feedback, GT7 sets the new gold standard for virtual racing.
Metacritic Score: 87
This is just a taste of the quality exclusives available now on PS5. And the future looks even brighter…
Upcoming PlayStation Exclusives
PlayStation has more mega-hit exclusive franchises in development for PS5 than ever before. Here is a quick look at some of the heavy-hitting first party games coming over the next 1-2 years:
- God of War: Ragnarök
- Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Forspoken
- Marvel‘s Wolverine
- Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2
- Gran Turismo 7
Nearly all of Sony‘s big studios like Santa Monica, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla Games, Insomniac and Polyphony Digital are developing exclusives for PS5. These teams have track records of producing some of the highest-rated and best-selling games.
So while the PS5 already has a stellar library, the future looks even brighter over the lifecycle. Owning a PS5 means you‘ll get to experience these exciting games the moment they release.
Backward Compatibility Adds Value
The PS5 also increases the value of your PS4 game library. It offers full backward compatibility with an awesome feature called Game Boost.
Game Boost uses the PS5 hardware to enhance certain PS4 games by:
- Reducing load times
- Increasing frame rates for smoother gameplay
- Adding 4K resolution for enhanced visuals
Here are some examples of titles that see significant improvements when playing the PS4 version on PS5:
| PS4 Game | PS5 Game Boost Benefits |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 4K/30 FPS, Faster Loading |
| God of War (2018) | 4K/60 FPS |
| Final Fantasy VII | 4K/60 FPS |
| The Last of Us Remastered | 4K/60 FPS |
So not only can you play upcoming PS5 exclusives, you get an upgraded experience with some of your favorite PS4 games as well. This excellent backward compatibility adds even more value to the console.
My Take – Well Worth the Investment in 2022
I‘ve now owned and played my PS5 for nearly two years and it has absolutely been a worthwhile purchase. The generational leap in hardware performance makes gaming feel fresh and exciting compared to my PS4. Super fast loading, buttery smooth frame rates, vivid 4K and brilliant use of the DualSense controller – it just feels like the future.
Sony‘s first party studios are clearly tapping into the PS5‘s capabilities and have some jaw-dropping games out already. I believe the future exclusives lineup is the best it‘s ever been as well. Owning a PS5 means I‘ll get to experience all of these incredible PlayStation exclusives going forward.
Even with supply constraints lingering, 2022 is shaping up to be the year where PS5 availability improves dramatically. Sony expects to ramp up production so if you‘ve been hunting for one, just stay persistent. It will absolutely be worth the wait!
The PS5 offers a stellar library right now but also so much more down the road. You are investing in the future of PlayStation gaming. So if you love Sony‘s exclusive franchises, want the cutting edge console technology and to play games the way they are truly meant to be experienced, the PS5 is easily worth the purchase in 2022.