Sony’s PlayStation 5 is now over 5 years old. Is the console still worth it today, or is it as dead as it is often claimed? We look at the reasons for and against the PS5.
The PS5 was originally released in 2020 and is now several years old. There is also a faster Pro version available now.
The console has also been declared dead by YouTubers, and the price increases have further led many to question whether a PS5 is even worth it today.
But yes, currently all signs point to the fact that the PS5 should not be buried anytime soon and can be particularly worthwhile right now.
More Exclusives: Good for PS5 Players, Bad for PC
Reports say that Sony wants to bring new single-player titles exclusively to the PS5 again to strengthen the current consoles and counter the declining console sales. And Microsoft is following a similar path with Xbox, such as with Gears of War.
For PC players, this is initially bad news, as they may either get certain games late or not at all.
However, for the PS5, this is a strong point that should not be underestimated: Previously, there were hardly any reasons for PC players to buy a PS5. However, with this decision, Sony shows that many relevant titles will still be released for the PS5, including exclusive ones. If you want to play certain titles like the new God of War or Marvel’s Wolverine, you need a PS5.
Whether the games will eventually be released for PC at some point is not something Sony wants to commit to right now.
State of Play in June 2026 as Additional Support for the PlayStation Brand
The State of Play from June 2026 also plays a role in this context: According to data, it has been the most viewed State of Play from Sony, and many players are satisfied with the presentation (via Reddit.com): Both new titles and familiar games were shown, indicating that Sony knows how to address the right information to the right audience.
GTA 6 is Exclusively for Consoles, Not Coming to PC at Launch
GTA 6 will be released in November 2026 exclusively for the major consoles, as the main target audience for the series, according to Rockstar’s chief, plays there.
And this is a point that should not be underestimated: Because GTA 6 is probably the most anticipated game of the year. And if you want to play the hyped title, you inevitably need a console: either a PS5 or an Xbox. Therefore, the GTA 6 release is also a huge draw for the currently struggling console generation.
This means that just for GTA 6, the PS5 is this year worth it as hardly any other console, excluding the Xbox. If you buy a PS5 now or in the coming months, you will have the direct opportunity to play GTA 6 at launch. It is even expected that there will be a GTA-PS5 bundle.
Alternatively, you could also buy a cheaper Xbox Series S, but you will have to deal with significant performance compromises.
Still Good Value for Money, Despite Price Increases and Subscription Fees
Yes, the PS5 has also been affected by price increases in recent months: In April, Sony raised the prices by 100 euros for each model. Additionally, subscription fees for PS Plus must also be taken into account if you want to play online. As a result, the PS5 is not a spontaneous purchase.
Nevertheless, the PS5 remains a fair compromise despite the increased prices: You get a closed system with clearly calculable costs and powerful hardware, even in 2026.
Officially, the base price for the Slim edition is 649 euros, but this is not currently achievable anywhere. The entry price is more like 550 euros (via Geizhals.de, as of June 12, 2026).
If you don’t want to deal with expensive upgrades, compatibility issues, and hardware research, you still get a closed system with clear costs with the PS5.
Still Strong Technology Despite Age
The PS5 has now been around for more than 5 years, and some will argue that the current PlayStation generation is already too old and that one should wait for the next big generation. When the PlayStation 6, or whatever the console will be called, will be released is unknown.
Nevertheless, or perhaps exactly for that reason, you still get strong technology with the PS5: The PS5 supports 4K, high frame rates, and thanks to the internal SSD, has very fast loading times. This makes the console still practical and competitive in 2026.
Additionally, many games are well optimized for the PS5 out of the box. While PC players regularly complain about poor optimization, PS5 players are affected much less frequently. A developer explained back then that this is partly due to the fact that games are much easier to optimize for consoles, as the console hardware is identical.
The PS5 remains technically strong enough for modern titles with high resolution, fast loading times, and fluid gameplay. While you won’t get high-end gaming or 120 FPS in 4K and highest settings, you still get a good entry into modern technology.
The Competition: Xbox and PC
The Xbox Series X: The Xbox offers very similar hardware compared to the PS5: The SSD of the PS5 is slightly faster, while the Xbox chip runs at a slightly higher clock speed. However, both systems use the same combined chip (APU) from AMD. The Xbox Series S is the slower model.
The game portfolio of Xbox and PS5 is similar, as you can usually enjoy the same AAA titles and the same multiplayer titles on both consoles (and both require a subscription for multiplayer). The PS5 relies even more on exclusives than the Xbox console.
Gaming PC: The gaming PC is less user-friendly at first glance compared to a console, but offers almost endless freedom when it comes to settings and possibilities. Moreover, you can upgrade or modify a gaming PC at any time, provided you have the corresponding budget.
And this brings us to the biggest current problem: the price. The rising prices of RAM and storage are particularly challenging for PC players. If you have the budget for a PC, you can also get more freedom and potentially significantly more performance.
Still a Good Option and Alternative in 2026
In conclusion, the PS5 is once again worth it for many despite rising prices because the alternatives have also become expensive and are partly more complicated. The high entry price and the fact that some previous unique selling points have weakened are major downsides to the PS5. However, Sony is currently providing support with new exclusives.
For most people who just want to reliably play the latest games, the PS5 is still a strong buy in 2026.
Pros
- Good value for money compared to a gaming PC with upgrades.
- Simple, straightforward use without tinkering or compatibility stress.
- Current games run reliably and are usually well optimized.
- Particularly strong for players who simply want to get started right away.
- Backward compatibility for many PS4 titles
- GTA 6 comes time-exclusive for the PS5 (and Xbox)
Cons
- The (increased) entry price is high.
- Additional costs for storage and online services may apply.
- Some previous unique selling points of PlayStation have weakened.
- Those who already have a strong PC have little reason to switch.
What do you think? Is the PS5 doing as well in 2026 as it hasn’t in a long time, or has the train already left in your opinion? Let us know in the comments!
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