Sony looking to "emphasise value as opposed to price" with the PS5

Sony to "emphasise value as opposed to price" with the PS5
(Image credit: PlayStation)

We now know a lot about the PS5... or should be say PS5s. We know what they will look like, what accessories will be available, and what new games are in store. But one of the big PS5 questions still left unanswered is price.

In a recent interview with the BBC, PlayStation chief executive Jim Ryan states that Sony wants to "emphasise value as opposed to price" for the PS5.

"You're not going to hear anything on price today," he told the publication. "Conventional wisdom and history show that our business is one of the more recession-proof businesses. But I think this [the economic uncertainty] will sharpen our need to ensure that we focus on getting the value equation right. And I emphasise value as opposed to price.

"We must be more attentive than ever before to ensure that the overall value proposition in terms of the console and the games - the range of games, the quality of games, the quantity of games - makes this something that our community aspires towards."

Reading between the lines, it seems Sony is more interested in the price reflecting the "value" of the console rather than competing on with the Xbox Series X on the cheapest price. In other words, and this is hardly a newsflash, don't expect the new consoles to be cheap.

It's widely believed that a PS5 price north of £400/$400/AU$800 will be attached to the PS5s, given their technological envelopes being pushed by Sony, as well as the reports that they feature some pretty pricey components. Our guess is that the Digital Edition will dip below that barrier, while the version with the disc drive will get closer to £499/$499/AU$950.

MORE:

PS5: release date, price, specs and news for the PlayStation 5

PS5 reveal: 5 big questions left unanswered

PS5 vs Xbox Series X: specs, power, features, pricing and controllers compared

Best gaming headsets 2020

iPhone 12: price, design, release date, leaks and news

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

Latest in Gaming
LG OLED42C2
Hardcore gamers rejoice: more TVs should have three or four HDMI 2.1 ports this year
Sony PS5 Pro and PS5 consoles on a grey and red background
PS5 Pro vs PS5: what are the differences?
PS5 Pro on a white background
The super-powerful PS5 Pro doesn't come with a disc drive or stand but costs £700 / $700
Two gamers on a sofa enjoying a split screen racing game on a TV lit by the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 8K.
The new, pricier Philips Hue Play sync box 8K is made for gamers
Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Explore earbuds
Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5 update will bring personalised spatial audio to the console
Graphic showing the labelled Xbox Series X Digital Edition
Disc-less Xbox Series X Digital Edition (and two more consoles) get release date
Latest in News
The 48-inch Panasonic MZ800 OLED TV pictured against a white background
A Panasonic OLED TV for under £500? No, I'm not kidding!
The Ando Ando Ando Vinyl Record Watch with a brown leather strap being held in the hand.
Oh, this old thing? It's just a watch inspired by the Technics SL-1200 record player
Surround sound budget AV system
Sony launches its first new 4K Blu-ray player in over five years – and it's good and bad news
France's Gael Fickou practices on the eve of the Six Nations rugby union tournament match between France and Scotland.
France vs Scotland live stream: how to watch Six Nations 2025 match online now, team news
Apple Music Classical
Apple Music Classical lands on the web – but there's bad news for Mac users
Bone conduction headphones
Samsung to launch its first bone conduction headphones this summer, report says