Technical Review for MAR
Product: Sony Playstation 5
The Sony PlayStation 5 and its new DualSense wireless controller live up to the fan fervour circling them before the 2021 February launch in India. Let us see why.
Some say it looks like a high-tech sandwich, others say it looks like a school folder — the PlayStation 5 standard and digital editions are a statement from Sony Interactive Entertainment on their confidence about next-gen gaming.
The fervour around Sony’s latest console was the California Gold Rush of gaming. Compounding the desperation, some came up with an Augmented Reality filter on Instagram, which placed a PS5 box virtually in the user’s home, and pranks of PS5 as gifts — which were just the empty boxes — took the Internet by storm. Then came the scalping; sellers on OLX can be found selling the PS5 for as much as ₹90,000 — unfortunately, there are no strict laws against scalping but consumers have been advised not to buy these and to wait for a restock. We advise the same, do not give into temptation; buy from an authorized seller.
The PS5 is a pretty add-on for your home’s display thanks to the futuristic blue, white and yellow lights varying with its mode. You can choose which orientation to place the unit, attaching the base accordingly so that the curvatures of the design do not have it tilting awkwardly. The attachable base is also helpful in keeping the off-white surfaces of the console scuff-free.
Features
- Dimensions: Base: 390 mm × 260 mm × 104 mm (15.4 in × 10.2 in × 4.1 in)
- Weight: 4.5 kg (9.9 lb)
- CPU: Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2, variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz
- Memory: 16 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
- Storage: Custom 825 GB SSD
- Removable storage: Internal (user upgradeable) NVMe M.2 SSD, or external USB-based HDD
- Display: HDMI: 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 4K UHD, 8K UHD
- Graphics: Custom AMD RDNA 2, 36 CUs @ variable frequency up to 2.23 GHz
- Sound: Custom Tempest Engine 3D Audio, Dolby Atmos & DTS:X (Blu-ray video & UHD Blu-ray video), 7.1 surround sound
- Controller input: DualSense, DualShock 4, PlayStation Move
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.1, Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB-C with USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, 1x HDMI 2.1
The PS5 interface is a clean, attractive and snappy evolution of the PS4 software. Hopping in and out of games and navigating menus feels instantaneous, to the point where the PS4 menu now feels sluggish and cluttered by comparison. And while there are some features I’d like to see added to the PS5 interface, it introduces some exciting new ways to get to what you’re playing even faster.
Reviewing the base console edition, it comes with the comfortably ergonomic DualSense controller. Sony has kept this as familiar as possible for those upgrading from the DualShock 4, but with a few add-ons such as more responsive thumbsticks, with better grip. The triggers are also slightly more resistant for better control.
DualSense comes with Sony’s new Tempest 3D AudioTech, which comes into full effect if you plug compatible headsets into the AUX jack in the controller itself. This lived up to Sony’s promise of providing highly accurate audio positioning to facilitate a new level of immersion… and is ideal if you want to game quietly. Games such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which have a lot of verticality, were enhanced by Tempest 3D AudioTech as it helped me gauge situational awareness better when travelling through the city or fighting enemies. I am not a community gamer so the microphone was not put to that test just yet, but the voice command tool was effective in the times I was too lazy to navigate.
I got a lot of pull from the DualSense’s battery life, which you can monitor through the PS5’s user interface. I love that you can recharge this instead of relying on rechargeable batteries as one does with the Xbox controller. In games that often employ adaptive triggers, I got at least eight straight hours of gameplay before it reached one bar. Households with multiple gamers can opt for the charging dock.
The PlayStation 5 standard edition — though not a must-have — is a treasure trove if you manage to get your hands on one. The gameplay on the console are so smooth that it is addictive. While its equally burly competitor the Xbox Series X is in high demand (and rightfully so), the loyal fandom around the PS5 is strong.
Verdict
The PS5 is a true generational leap, offering incredibly fast load times and an innovative new controller that can change the way games feel.
