Why PS5's Odd Design Choices Ultimately Don't Matter GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Gaming

Why the PS5's Odd Design Choices Ultimately Don't Matter

It’s what’s inside that matters most

By Joshua Hawkins Joshua Hawkins Freelance Technology Reporter Full Sail University Josh Hawkins is a freelance writer for Lifewire who loves writing about the latest tech and gadgets that help make people’s lives easier. As an avid gamer and VR enthusiast, he also enjoys diving deep into the technology that helps bring those kinds of experiences to life. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on October 9, 2020 04:11PM EDT Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

The PS5 is one of the biggest consoles in recent memory.Many people find the design to be attractive. It's more about the games it enables than the hardware, experts say. Sony From the futuristic exterior to the neatly composed interior, the PS5 odd design choices may have some gamers shaking their heads, but ultimately the console's look doesn't matter as much as the software it brings to life. Since the original hardware reveal, many users have spoken out about the odd design choices Sony has made with the PlayStation 5. Concerns about the look of the PS5 jumped back into the spotlight recently when a video detailing the internal layout of the PS5 was released by Sony. In the video, Sony tears down the PS5 completely, showing just how easy it should be for gamers to upgrade the internal components. "Sony's decision to make the Playstation 5 more upgradeable and customizable this generation could be a real game-changer" said award-winning author and gamer Alex Beene in an email interview. "The idea of having easily expandable memory options and side panels that can be switched out for custom options seems so much better than the array of special edition consoles we’ve grown used to seeing each console cycle."

A Thought Out Design

Masayasu Ito, the EVP of Hardware Engineering and Operation at Sony Interactive Entertainment wrote in a blog post about the development team’s commitment to the PS5’s look and customization. "Our team values a well thought out, beautifully designed architecture," Masayasu Ito wrote in the blog post. "Inside the console is an internal structure looking neat and tidy, which means that there aren’t any unnecessary components and the design is efficient. As a result, we’re able to achieve our goal of creating a product with a high degree of perfection and quality." Commitment to the design doesn’t change the fact that many users have been completely aghast by the way the PS5 looks. When the console was first revealed, some Twitter users took to making memes about the exterior design, even going so far as to mock the PS5as looking more like generic tech items like routers and hard drives. I'm completely floored by just how big the Playstation 5 physically is.

This Thing is Huge

When asked about the console’s size, Beene replied, "I'm completely floored by just how big the Playstation 5 physically is. The space-age aesthetic is gorgeous and makes it feel like the console of the future, but Sony releasing a device this massive in 2020 when the emphasis for years has been on making tech slimmer and sleeker seems incredibly strange." Beene isn’t wrong about the size of the console, either. Back in early September, Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed the exact specifications of the PS5 in a post on the PlayStation Blog. At approximately 390mm x 104mm x 260mm, the PS5 is bigger than any other console, present or upcoming.

Not All Looks

Concerns about the look of the PS5 pale in comparison to the excitement surrounding the upcoming console. With console exclusive titles like Horizon Forbidden West, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and even a sequel to 2018’s God of War, PlayStation fans have plenty to look forward to. In fact, Beene believes that it’s about the games, not the console. "At the end of the day, as big and strange as parts of the console look, I think it's the software that matters most," he said. "Games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and God of War 2 offset any quibbles I have with the PS5's design. My preorder is locked in." As with previous generations, it looks like the success of Sony’s console could come down to what kind of games and unique experiences the company has to offer.

Coming Out on Top

Despite the various reactions to the PS5, there is still quite a bit of excitement surrounding Sony’s upcoming console. Preorders sold out instantly following a surprise announcement, and users have spent the past several weeks trying to snatch up any extra units that go on sale. Beene isn’t the only one excited, either. Many Twitter users have also shared tweets praising the console’s look and the performance that Sony is promising. When all is said and done, the weight of the PS5’s design and look all comes down to how you feel about Sony’s next-gen console fitting in your entertainment center, for many gamers like Alex, the software is the most important part of the experience. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire PlayStation 6: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors How to Sync a PS5 Controller Sony PlayStation 5 Review: More Than Just More Powerful How to Connect a PS4 Controller to a PS5 How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Sync 10 Things to Know Before Playing Miles Morales: Spider-Man on PS4 How to Use a PS5 Controller on Your PC or Mac How to Connect AirPods to PS5 PSVR 2: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors Miles Morales: The Man, The Spider (-man), The Game Sony State of Play: Announcements, News, and More PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Which Console Is Right for You? The 9 Best Games for PS5, Tested by Lifewire How to Fix the PS5 'Cannot Connect to the Wi-Fi Network' Error PlayStation Mobile Controller: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; & More Rumors How to Create a PlayStation Network Account Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies