The Sony PlayStation 5 is by far the best, dedicated gaming console the Japanese company has produced so far. Interestingly, it is also surprisingly easy to get into and conduct major hardware upgrades. However, Sony has deployed some weird protection techniques to prevent third-party repairs and modifications.
The Sony PlayStation 5 is a difficult console to purchase. But interestingly, repairing or upgrading the console is easy, provided Sony relaxes its reins on the software and offers some software updates.
iFixit teardown of Sony PlayStation 5 indicates the console’s ease of repairability and upgradability:
iFixit has released its teardown of the Sony PlayStation 5 and the accompanying DualSense game controller. The company dedicated to revealing the innards of premium hardware revealed Sony has used several screws. This is always a welcome departure from the fragile latches.
There are essentially three key components that need a special mention. They are the optical disc drive, the onboard storage, and power supply. Incidentally, users can repair, replace, or upgrade all three. However, Sony has software locks to dissuade third-party hardware changes.
The optical drive, for example, is quite easy to reach once the majority of screws are removed. Although users can swap the drive with a spare unit, Sony has “software-locked” the optical drive to the motherboard.
This means, despite a physical swap with a workable unit, the new optical drive will not read discs. It also means, in case the original optical drive fails, buyers will have to send the entire Sony PlayStation 5 unit to Sony.
Coming to the onboard storage, the Sony PlayStation 5 is the first-ever console from the company to include a Solid State Drive from the factory. The disc-less version of Sony PS5, on the other hand, has one of the easiest storage upgrades.
Adding an extra SSD is fairly easy. The process involves unclipping a single side panel and taking out a single screw. However, Sony has yet to send out an update that enables the console to recognize a new storage drive and accept data exchange from the same.
Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller and power-supply fairly easy to maintain as well:
The power supply unit for the Sony PlayStation 5 is surely a marvel of engineering and efficiency, revealed the iFixit teardown. The power supply encased inside the PS5 chassis has a power rating of just 350 Watts. It is even more interesting to note that the console consumes only about 200 Watts at peak draw.
iFixit found the PS5 DualSense Controller was quite easy to open. Sony has packed a 5.7 watt-hours Lithium-ion battery inside the DualSense controller.
The included Lithium-ion battery is relatively easy to replace. Intense gaming sessions will eventually degrade the battery, and hence it is good to see installing a spare is a simple process.
The only component of the controller that’s difficult to repair or replace is the LED strip that surrounds the DualSense’s touchpad.
For those who like a rating, iFixit has accorded the PS55, 7 out of 10. This might not be a high number but it certainly shows Sony has come a long way in terms of hardware access.