One of the PS5’s few shortcomings compared to the Xbox X Series is the smaller built-in storage space. However, based on a new report, it looks like Sony is addressing this by adding support for the PS5’s SSD expansion space later this summer.
According to a source who spoke to Bloomberg, support for using the PS5’s M.2 SSD expansion slot comes following a firmware update that allows for faster fan speeds to prevent the console from overheating. Since its announcement, Sony has been clear that at some point PS5 owners would be able to upgrade their consoles with a second M.2 SSD using the PS5’s expansion space, which is located in a slot behind the PS5’s removable plastic cap.
Unfortunately, Sony has not yet provided a list of compatible chips approved to work in the PS5, or even an official timeline for when expandable storage will be available. This means that PS5 owners are stuck for the time being with the 665 GB of base storage of the PS5, which is more than 200 GB less than the 885 GB SSD disk found in an Xbox Series X.
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And while the PS5 technically supports external storage via an attached USB disk, only less demanding PS4 games can be played directly from an external disk. Currently, PS5 games need to be installed on the console’s internal disk before they can be played, which significantly reduces the value of external storage space, and makes the storage and transfer of games between internal and external storage a bit of a hassle.
And with games like Call of Duty grows bigger thanks to high-resolution texture packs and DLC to the point where Activision even warns PS4 owners they may need to delete data to fit the game, there is a big advantage to having very fast internal storage.
As the PS5 will be available in retail three months after the PS5’s launch, it’s probably more concerned about continuing production than future firmware updates.