Wouldn’t it be cool if a company’s server was down so a piece of hardware couldn’t be installed? Sony seems to think so, as a partial packaging photo for the PS5 Slim has made its way onto the web, revealing that the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive that comes with the standard model (and is available separately for the Digital edition) will require internet access before it can be used. “Internet connection required to pair Disc Drive and PS5 console upon setup,” warns a label that @Thunder_clart shared this morning on X. Many are speculating that Sony did this to ensure that the connected drive is the official, intended model, rather than a third-party one that could potentially enable piracy. The PS5 Slim and PS5 Slim Digital Edition will be out in November for $499.99 and $449.99, respectively.
Uhhhh…if this is the case, that is highly concerning and very strange. Hardware connectivity shouldn't be determined by a server that may not always be available. https://t.co/NT4KU6ShrN
— John Linneman @dark1x.bsky.social (@dark1x) October 25, 2023
The same technology features that make PS5 the best to play are packed into a smaller form factor, along with an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and a 1TB SSD for more internal storage.
The new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models. There are four separate cover panels, with the top portion in a glossy look, while the bottom remains in matte. If you purchase the PS5 Digital Edition, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 later, as it will also be sold separately for 79.99 USD | 119.99 EURO | 99.99 GBP | 11,980 JPY.