Sony has quietly launched a revised PlayStation 5 Digital Edition with a reduced internal storage capacity of 825GB, maintaining the same 399 Euro ($480) price point. The update, identified as the CFI-2116 revision, appears on Amazon listings in several European countries without official announcement from the company. This change marks a return to the original storage capacity seen in the launch PlayStation 5 before the Slim models increased storage to 1TB. Users are losing approximately 175GB of usable space in the new revision. The revision follows Sony’s September price increase of $50 across PlayStation 5 models citing economic conditions. The change affects only the Digital Edition while the disc version remains unchanged at 1TB.
Industry analysts speculate this move may be driven by cost management strategies as the gaming market faces economic pressures. The decision to reduce storage capacity without increasing the price point raises questions about consumer value and potential market reactions. The revised console is available for purchase with a delivery date set for October 23 in Germany, indicating the change is likely to be rolled out across other European markets soon. This development comes amid broader trends in the electronics sector where manufacturers are adjusting product specifications to mitigate financial impacts while maintaining competitive pricing.
Sony’s strategy of maintaining price stability while reducing physical specifications has precedent in other tech industries. However, the gaming sector’s reliance on digital content and storage solutions makes such a change particularly significant for consumer experience. With the Digital Edition remaining a popular choice for budget-conscious gamers, this revision could influence purchasing decisions and storage management practices for users. The company’s approach to balancing cost efficiency with consumer expectations continues to be a key focus as it navigates economic challenges in the gaming hardware market.