Sony has followed its usual strategy by announcing a review of its latest major console and two new PlayStation 5 models will be available before the end of the year. Although the company has avoided referring to these as ‘PS5 Slim’, the truth is that this is how it promises to be known by players. At the end of the day, it is still a review with a stylized design and small size. The movement is very similar to what the company has carried out in previous generations. There are many very interesting details in this novelty, which once again offers us an alternative with a disc reader and another completely digital one. However, it is easy to find a reason to raise your eyebrows.
European gamers pay more to enjoy PlayStation 5
As rumors suggested, the digital model of this PlayStation 5 ‘Slim’ will arrive with the possibility of adding an external disk reader. “If you buy the PS5 Digital Edition, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc reader later, as it will be sold separately,” the company announces. The truth is that it is good news by offering even more options to the consumer. The idea also seems very well resolved in terms of design since the external reader can be integrated in an almost imperceptible way. However, there is a problem with the price. We are not referring to whether it is too expensive or well adjusted, but rather that European players will have to pay a very considerable extra.
While the external drive reader will be sold at a price of $79.99 (75.3 euros) in the United States, European players will have to shell out 119.99 euros to get it. A extra cost close to 60% which becomes almost a luxury tax for consumers on the continent. It must be taken into account that this situation will affect all countries in the euro zone and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom. Although British consumers are better off than their neighbors, they will also pay 99.99 pounds (115.7 euros) for a total amount much higher than that of North American customers.
The PS5 external reader is very well integrated into the design of the console.
The price difference It will also affect new models of Playstation 5. Buyers in the United States, United Kingdom and Spain will pay almost the same when they try to get the digital model (the price is around 449.99 euros in the three regions). However, the same will not happen with the version that includes a reader. While in North America this edition will be available for $499.99 (470 euros) in our economic zone and the British territory will cost around 550 euros. Although the price difference is not so considerable in percentage terms, it is still another extra cost to take into account.
This situation with respect to Sony products has been common throughout the current generation of consoles. Without going any further, the United States was spared from the increase in PlayStation 5 prices that took place last year. Also the increase in the price of exclusive games announced in 2020 focused on European players. In this sense, the conclusion is clear. Although the purchasing power on our continent is lower, purchasing the company’s products is much more expensive. The company defends it by referring to “the global economic context”but a 60% extra cost seems very difficult to understand.
The vertical support of the new PlayStation 5 will be sold separately
In the announcement of the console, Sony has also confirmed that the new model of the machine It will not include a support for vertical placement. This little gadget, which avoids placing the PS5 directly on its case, will be sold separately at a price of 29.99 euros ($29.99 in the United States). The console will include a horizontal support as standard, now perhaps easier to take advantage of since the size has been reduced by 30%.
