Sony has finally shown off what the PlayStation 5 will look like, but there’s one very big question about the design that’s still unclear: just how big is the PlayStation 5?
We’ll likely have to wait until Sony gives official dimensions (or shows the physical box next to something else for scale) of the controversial design to know for sure, but that isn’t stopping fans on the internet from doing their best to estimate things. And based on early guesses, the PS5 is going to be huge — perhaps even the biggest mainstream console in years.
The image below, created by Reddit user u/GREBO7, shows an estimate of how the PS5 fares compared to other recent Xbox and PlayStation consoles, including the upcoming Xbox Series X. Noticeably, the Playstation 5 is incredibly tall, with a ResetEra thread estimating it at over 14 inches in height. And while it is thinner than the fridge-like Xbox Series X, it’s hard to deny that the PS5 is still pretty huge, even compared to infamously large consoles like the original PS3 and Xbox One.
And while Sony is planning to offer a slimmer version of the PS5 that lacks a disc drive, even that model is still massive compared to the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, as a mock-up from HDTVtest’s Adam Fairclough on Twitter shows, via Polygon.
The estimates that fans have made so far are based on comparing the sizes of USB-A ports and disc drives — two physical elements shown on the PS5 — to other consoles (the dimensions of which we do have), and scaling the sizes from there. It’s possible that Sony’s console is smaller than these mock-ups show, given that USB-A ports and Blu-ray discs have standard sizes. But unless these marketing images from Sony are wildly incorrect, they’re probably pretty good approximations of what to expect this fall.
In other words, you might want to start clearing some room on your TV stand.
Comments
Most of the other consoles with the exception of the OG PS3 fit within the 13in shelf of an IKEA Kallax.
This one will not
By Brian Sit on 06.12.20 2:53pm
Ideally it shouldn’t be in such a small space anyway for airflow reasons, but still annoying.
By Indefinite Implosion on 06.12.20 3:27pm
It’s not thaat much bigger than the OG PS3, it just looked giant at first because we’re used to the smaller, lower wattage 8th gen.
I’m actually glad the 9th gen is looking to high thermal dissipation (which equals needing size), get the most out of todays technologies as we can.
Also it’s going to lay flat, so I don’t care about the horizontal size in my TV stand, it’s the tallness when sideways that would matter, imo the PS5 would fit more easily than the SeX, but for my stand at least neither is much of a concern.
By tipoo on 06.12.20 2:57pm
The size comparison above is wrong anyway. I still have my PS3 set up, along with my PS4 Pro, both in vertical orientation. The picture above makes it look like the top of the pro is about level with the bump on the right of the PS3, but it’s not. The PS3 bump is about an inch lower than the top of the PS4 Pro in reality.
However, even if the mock-up is inaccurate, it looks like the PS5 won’t fit on the shelf where I have my PS4 Pro right now. The PS3 barely fits in vertical orientation.
By Sappharad on 06.12.20 11:57pm
My wife already complains about the PS4 and Switch being on the media console in plain view. She’s got a system of plants arranged on it to mask the sight of the consoles. I really wish Sony hasn’t made such an absurd looking console that’s gigantic. I guess perhaps they weren’t thinking of the domesticated 34 year olds, I’d prob be into it a decade ago.
Still going to buy it of course.
By chespirito on 06.12.20 3:05pm
Honestly, they probably where wanting to make sure it had enough ventilation. It will be one hot console, and heat can brick a console (just look at all the initial issues with PS3/XB360 back in the day).
By MorbidGod on 06.12.20 3:15pm
Wonder how much power they consume?
Forgot the name… a famous tech youtuber went to Xbox office, did the assembly said, Series X takes 300 watt.
By Hirox. on 06.13.20 4:05am
Sad what’s become of your life. This 50 year old and his wife will welcome this beautiful console into our living room.
By gustavthemad on 06.12.20 4:00pm
I dunno, man. For the most part I prefer looking at plants than machines, too. Not everyone’s a gamer and it’s her home too.
By shaihalud on 06.12.20 4:40pm
Well I’m a relatively domesticated guy in his 30’s and I’ll be getting one. I’m paying for my domesticated place with my domesticated money so I don’t really care what people’s opinions are on what I have on my desk. Just embrace it instead of trying to hide it with random plants.
By A Man Has No Username on 06.12.20 4:08pm
Do you share your domesticated place with a domesticated partner?
By BausFight on 06.12.20 11:22pm
Live with? Probably. Share? Likely a bridge too far.
By indignantgoat on 06.14.20 10:37am
In the same boat. Our living room currently looks like there isn’t a single box plugged into the TV… this thing is gonna be a fight.
By EffEcks on 06.12.20 7:44pm
Well I’m 50 and would have preferred something that looked less like a Dubai skyscraper in my media center too. But let’s face it, 34-50 year olds definitely aren’t the main demographic for console sales. Plus that’s what operable doors on media centers were made for.
By minimalist on 06.13.20 9:35am
The average gamer is in their 30s, so I’d definitely say they are a major demographic. But yeah, probably not the case for those in their 50s.
By BausFight on 06.14.20 11:11am
The funny thing is almost all of my male friends who are 50 have consoles and fire them up once a week or so when they have a little time. Some to play by themselves and some to play with their kids. But we probably don’t spend nearly as much on games as younger single people so understandably the consoles are going to be designed to appeal to them.
By minimalist on 06.15.20 9:51am
Makes sense. I have friends and co-workers nearly 20 years older than me that are ‘veteran’ gamers and game devs, and they all do still game in some form. Most of them like table top RPGs and classic arcades instead of newer consoles tho.
By BausFight on 06.15.20 12:40pm
We were after all the generation a who grew up on Atari and Intellivision and Apple IIe’s and Macs.
By minimalist on 06.16.20 12:30pm
Here’s what it looks like horizontally. Look at the stand. There are massive overhangs on each side and the whole thing just looks incredibly unstable.
By cmnd_ on 06.12.20 3:10pm
Horizontal mode needing a stand definitely was a surprise to me. I imagine everything is for maximal possible airflow, no heat trap by the surface it touches. Can’t wait to see the insides.
By tipoo on 06.12.20 3:41pm
There is no exhaust or intake on the sides, so no it’s not for maximum airflow. It’s because the design needs it. The sides touching a surface would make absolutely no difference as plastic is a terrible heat conductor.
By Sorto on 06.13.20 7:57am
It’s the same reason every laptop has raised feet, it’s not so much about plastic being a poor conductor as not creating a thermal trap.
By tipoo on 06.13.20 3:14pm
What, the reason so many laptops have raised feet is because they suck air in at the bottom, and to not slip around. Can you be reasonable?
By Sorto on 06.13.20 4:19pm
Not every laptop sucks air in from the bottom, yet all are raised, and if it was only for friction they wouldn’t need to raise the bumps so much.
I think I am being reasonable…Every aspect of the design seems to be oriented towards not letting the user screw up airflow or thermals.
By tipoo on 06.14.20 2:25pm
On these devices they are raised so you don’t scratch your desk and device, you would actually improve thermals if you removed the feet and glued the device to your desk with a good thermal glue. Air is your worst enemy.
By Sorto on 06.15.20 4:41am