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PlayStation 5 console might come with expandable storage in the form of external SSD cartridges

The PS5 could utilize external SSD cartridges for simple storage expansion. (Image source: LetsGoDigital)
The PS5 could utilize external SSD cartridges for simple storage expansion. (Image source: LetsGoDigital)
There is a growing belief that Sony may be planning on offering expandable storage in the form of SSD cartridges for the PlayStation 5. A patent drawing originally thought to be a game cartridge is now being reconsidered as a possible straightforward external solution for supporting the PS5’s internal custom SSD when it is reaching its storage limits.

Cartridges seem to be on the menu at Sony at the moment with considerable discussion created by the appearance of a patent drawing that initially alluded to either PlayStation Vita 2 development or a game cartridge for the PS5. However, the belief that it was just a simple game cartridge on show, which didn’t make much sense considering the PS5’s premium hardware, is fast giving away to the new presumption that the cartridge is actually expandable storage.

LetsGoDigital has once more been at the forefront of the speculation, with not only unearthing the cartridge-related patent in the first place but now also publishing some interesting renders of the potential PS5 SSD cartridges. The opinion is that by offering expandable storage in this simplified form, Sony can manage to make the PS5 even more affordable upon release, and thus allow gamers to buy a new SSD cartridge to boost the console’s storage at a later date.

The renders for the PS5 SSD cartridges show 1 TB, 2 TB, and 3 TB options. Although these are all purely speculative, they are based on logic – the Blu-ray discs that will hold PS5 games will have up to 100 GB of data on them so additional storage capacity needs to be of a considerable amount to be a worthwhile purchase. Ironically, the SSD cartridge can be seen as a logical progression from, and much superior relative to, the game cartridge. The limited Read-only memory (ROM) of the latter has now been upgraded to the read and write capabilities of the former.

Either way, instant loading is still on the cards for the PS5 and that’s a big enough selling point to satisfy most gamers when it comes to considering splashing out on a next-gen console. It’s expected Sony will be making a reveal of the PlayStation 5 in February 2020, with the console being ready for purchase by Holiday 2020.

Potential capacities. (Image source: LetsGoDigital)
Potential capacities. (Image source: LetsGoDigital)

Source(s)

LetsGoDigital (in Dutch)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 11 > PlayStation 5 console might come with expandable storage in the form of external SSD cartridges
Daniel R Deakin, 2019-11-13 (Update: 2019-11-13)