For those eyeing the newly-released PlayStation 5 Slim model, there’s fantastic news about its detachable disk drive—apparently, it’s easily swappable. Earlier this year, Sony unveiled a sleeker, more compact version of the popular PS5, retaining its powerful graphics and cutting-edge hardware while addressing fan concerns about the original’s bulky design.
Beyond its streamlined design, the new PlayStation 5 model boasts a detachable disk drive for the physical edition, seamlessly connecting to the console without the need for a USB port. However, this feature sparked worries about the drive’s functionality once Sony eventually ends support for the system in the distant future. On a positive note, players who have already acquired the PS5 Slim have confirmed that replacing a broken disk drive is a straightforward process.
This encouraging news comes from Mystic, a gaming and tech-centric YouTuber, who shared insights in an unboxing video about the PS5 Slim’s detachable disk drive. According to Mystic, as reported by VGC, the drive operates similarly to a peripheral like the PS5 DualSense Controller, requiring an initial connection with the console during each reset. Once registered, the drive functions offline without any hitches. Furthermore, players can effortlessly swap out multiple disk drives on the same console with a quick internet connection—a relief for those in need of a speedy replacement.
Regrettably, the PS5 Slim disk drive won’t read any game disks until it’s connected online for its initial pairing, making a new PS5 Slim essentially inactive until its first internet hookup, unlike the physical disk version of the old PS5 model. While concerns linger about the PS5 Slim’s usability if Sony decides to shut down the PS5’s online servers, it’s likely to happen long after the eventual release of PlayStation 6.
Sony may address this concern in a future update patch, especially since the PS5 Slim is set to become the standard console once the original launch-design units are depleted. Sony is already promoting its newest PlayStation 5 model by bundling it with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, a major release of 2023. While users still have questions about the PS5 Slim’s detachable disk drive and its internet requirements, answers are expected soon.