Should I skip PS5 and wait for PS6? Don‘t wait!

If you‘re wondering whether to buy a PlayStation 5 now or hold off for the eventual PlayStation 6 down the road, I recommend getting the PS5 as soon as you can. Here‘s a detailed look at why.

The PS5 is a huge generational leap over the PS4

As a long-time PlayStation enthusiast, I‘m blown away by the performance of the PS5 after upgrading from a launch PS4. Sony made major investments to push the capabilities of the PS5 well beyond its predecessor. Let‘s look at some of the key hardware specs:

• The AMD Ryzen CPU has 8 cores clocked at 3.5GHz, a massive jump from the PS4‘s 8 Jaguar cores running at 1.6GHz.
• The GPU jumps from 1.84 TFLOPS on the PS4 to 10.28 TFLOPS on the PS5. Far better for rendering high-fidelity graphics.
• 16GB of GDDR6 RAM versus only 8GB DDR5 RAM on PS4. Helps run massive open worlds.
• A custom 825GB SSD that loads games radically faster than PS4‘s old hard drive.

These hardware upgrades combine to make the PS5 outperform the PS4 by a wide margin. Games load in seconds, run at up to 4K resolution and 120 fps, and can render stunning visual effects like real-time ray tracing. It feels like a huge generational leap akin to moving from standard definition to high definition gaming.

Exciting new features unlock fresh gaming experiences

The PS5‘s next-gen hardware enables all sorts of innovations that were impossible on past PlayStation consoles. A few examples:

• The DualSense controller‘s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback create immersive sensations like pulling back a bowstring or driving over rocky terrain. Games feel more lifelike.
• 3D audio makes in-game sounds come at you from all directions for greater positional awareness. Hearing a helicopter fly overhead in-game is mind-blowing.
• Super fast loading via the SSD fundamentally changes level design. Huge interconnected worlds with no load screens.
• Ray tracing enables photorealistic lighting, shadows, and reflections that look dramatically better than traditional techniques.

These kinds of features really showcase the PS5‘s next-gen capabilities. It‘s not just prettier versions of old games – the PS5 enables new gameplay innovations.

Sony has hit its stride with must-have exclusives

The PS4 built its success on the back of excellent exclusive games you couldn‘t get anywhere else. That took some time to develop. But the PS5 already has hit its stride in 2022-2023 and become a must-own system for its exclusives.

God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart provided a trio of Game of the Year contenders that show off the PS5‘s hardware. First-party studios like Naughty Dog, Insomniac, and Santa Monica Studio have mastered creating blockbusters for PlayStation.

And looking ahead, exclusives like Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2 in 2024, God of War sequel, Final Fantasy XVI, and more will make the PS5 the only place to experience these iconic franchises. Exclusives sell platforms, and Sony is delivering huge hits.

Table 1: Major PS5 retail exclusives

The PS5 ecosystem keeps expanding

Part of the appeal of a new console generation is building out the entire ecosystem over its lifespan. Sony has been steadily expanding what you can do with the PS5.

The PSVR 2 virtual reality headset arriving in early 2023 modernizes VR gameplay for PlayStation. Sony also launched the DualSense Edge controller in 2022 – an ultra-customizable pro controller with back buttons and swappable sticks. It demonstrates their commitment to maturing the PS5‘s accessories.

Third parties are also onboard, with over 100 PS5-optimized games now available. Ray tracing support in particular is being patched into huge titles like Cyberpunk 2077 to take advantage of PS5‘s horsepower. The benefits of owning a PS5 will only compound over time as more titles and accessories come out.

How long will the PS5 remain Sony‘s flagship?

Historically, Sony‘s console generations last 5-7 years before being succeeded. The PS4 launched in 2013 and was succeeded by the PS5 in 2020, a 7 year life cycle.

Given the PS5‘s cutting edge internals holding up so well and still feeling next-gen in 2024, it seems likely this generation lasts on the longer end of that timeline.

I anticipate the PlayStation 6 releasing somewhere in the 2028-2032 timeframe, giving the PS5 a good 7+ years in the spotlight.

Some analysts like @PiersHardingRolls [LINK] support this general timeline based on typical console cycles. @HaroldGoldberg [LINK] also noted that major R&D work will be needed for the PS6 to genuinely feel "next-gen" over the already powerful PS5.

Sony will want to maximize profits on the PS5 and get as much mileage out of the platform as possible. A late 2020s release for the PS6 fits well.

Should you wait for a PS5 Slim or Pro model?

Rumors suggest Sony may release a PS5 Slim model with a smaller form factor in late 2023. This would offer the exact same performance as the current PS5, just in a more compact design.

A PS5 Pro is also rumored for 2024, providing modest hardware upgrades like an incremental CPU/GPU boost. The aim would be targeting higher resolutions and frame rates, similar to the PS4 Pro versus the base PS4.

While Slim and Pro models may come, I don‘t think they are worth waiting for. The PS5 is already extremely capable – you want to experience it now, not years in the future. And the PS5 will still be supported even after any mid-generation refreshes.

I would buy the PS5 as soon as you can get your hands on one. Then down the road, potentially trade up for a Slim or Pro to complement it. But don‘t miss out on the PS5‘s best early years!

My verdict – buy a PS5 as soon as possible!

In my expert opinion as a gaming enthusiast who has owned every PlayStation console, the PS5 is a remarkable generational leap that will remain Sony‘s flagship for many more years.

The cutting edge hardware delivers extremely high fidelity graphics up to 4K/120fps, and enables immersive new gameplay experiences not possible before. Sony‘s world-class first-party studios are hitting their peak and delivering huge exclusive games. And the platform will only mature over time as more accessories and games come out.

Waiting who knows how many years for a PS6 means missing out on what likely will be remembered as the golden age of the PS5. I advise buying a PS5 as soon as you can get your hands on one. Seeing big upcoming exclusives like God of War Ragnarok on the PS5‘s beautiful 4K HDR display will make you realize how worthwhile the upgrade is.

The future is here and now with PlayStation 5. This is the optimal time to jump into the new generation. Don‘t wait any longer – the PS5 is waiting for you!