The PlayStation 6 will have a detachable disc drive, according to a new report from a well-known industry insider. The claim suggests that Sony's upcoming console will continue the product philosophy established with the PlayStation 5 line.
In November 2020, Sony released the PS5 Digital Edition, its first console without support for physical media. Four years later, the discless PS5 Pro continued this trajectory, though the mid-gen hardware refresh adopted a modular design that allowed users to install a separately purchased disc drive. The same was true for the PS5 Slim, released in November 2023.
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PlayStation 6 Will Reportedly Be Another Modular Sony Console
This product design philosophy is said to be continuing for the foreseeable future. Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson reports that the PlayStation 6 will be another modular product from Sony, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The console is thus expected to launch in both digital and standard editions, with the latter reportedly including a disc drive. While the PS5 had a non-modular digital variant at launch, the PS6 lineup is said to be fully modular, allowing users to purchase and install a standalone disc drive at any time. This would ensure that even buyers of the lower-cost model are not locked into a digital-only experience.
The reported decision to forgo a non-modular digital-only console is said to align with Sony's goal of streamlining its manufacturing operations. If all PS6 models are modular—differing only in whether they ship with a detachable disc drive—Sony could establish a more cost-effective production process while still offering consumers a choice between digital and hybrid media formats. This approach was introduced with the PlayStation 5 Slim line and carried over to the PS5 Pro.
The purported modular product philosophy may not stick around indefinitely. In mid-2024, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella opined that the PlayStation 7 could launch without a disc drive, detachable or otherwise. While the industry as a whole continues to shift away from physical media, Sony’s timeline for phasing out the format will likely depend on its user adoption rates, or lack thereof.
Rumored PS6 Launch Product Lineup
- PlayStation 6 Digital Edition (tentative name, will be compatible with a standalone disc drive)
- PlayStation 6 (with a disc drive included)
- PlayStation 6 disc drive add-on
According to recent insider reports, the PS6 may be ready for a 2027 release. Between that and Sony's historical propensity for holiday season launches, November 2027 seems like the most plausible candidate month for the console's debut. In the meantime, another PS5 Slim model is rumored to be on the horizon, featuring 825GB of SSD storage instead of 1TB. The new model is expected to be lighter and more affordable to manufacture, though it's likely to retain the price of the standard PS5 Slim.
