PlayStation Hikes Price of PS5 Slim Digital Edition, Cuts Cost of Disc Drive

Sony has quietly adjusted its pricing on PlayStation 5 hardware in the UK, citing economic pressures behind the changes. Starting April 14, the PS5 Slim Digital Edition now costs £429.99—an increase that brings it just £50 shy of the standard PS5 Disc Edition. Meanwhile, the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for the PS5 is getting a price cut, dropping to £69.99.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) cited "a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates," as the backdrop for the price hike. Interestingly, the price of the standard PS5 model with a built-in disc drive remains unchanged, as do all PS5 Pro models.

The move has left some consumers scratching their heads. The PS5 Digital Edition was initially seen as the more affordable, streamlined option—appealing to gamers looking to save money by going all-digital. Now, with the new pricing, the value proposition is murkier. For just a bit more, buyers can opt for the standard disc model and avoid being locked into digital-only purchases.

On the flip side, the reduced price of the detachable Disc Drive gives Digital Edition owners more flexibility. At £69.99, it's now cheaper to upgrade to physical media if they change their minds later.

If you're looking to buy a PS5, whether the [Slim Disc Edition](https://stock-checker.com/products/gaming/playstation-5-slim.html), the [Slim Digital Edition](https://stock-checker.com/products/gaming/playstation-5-slim-digital.html), or just the [Disc Drive](https://stock-checker.com/products/gaming/ps5-disc-drive.html) itself, [Stock Checker](https://stock-checker.com/) is a handy tool for tracking availability and comparing prices across UK retailers in real-time.

With pricing getting closer between models and add-ons, the real question for buyers is: Should they go all-in on digital or keep their options open with physical media? Either way, it's going to cost a bit more—or a bit less, depending on how they look at it.