Sony Downgrades PS5 Digital Edition: 1TB Reduced to 825GB Storage at Same Price

Sony has quietly rolled out a revision of the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, and the change has left many gamers frustrated. The console, once equipped with a 1TB solid-state drive, now ships with only 825GB of internal storage. Despite this reduction, the price tag remains unchanged, sparking concerns about value, transparency, and long-term usability. For buyers considering this model in 2025, the downgrade raises important questions about what you’re really getting when you bring one home.

The most significant shift is the drop from 1TB to 825GB of built-in storage. Identified in hardware revisions like the CFI-2116, also known as Chassis E, this updated unit makes less room for digital game collections. Notably, the standard PS5 with a disc drive remains unaffected, retaining its original configuration. For digital-only players, however, the reduced space is a direct limitation on their core experience.

Why would Sony make such a move? Analysts point to several possible factors. Manufacturing costs and inflation have pushed many tech companies toward subtle cost-saving measures. Just as food and household goods have seen “shrinkflation,” the PS5’s storage downgrade may reflect a similar strategy in consumer electronics. Rather than raising the retail price, Sony appears to be shaving value from the inside, while maintaining the same shelf price for consistency. The company has a long history of iterative hardware adjustments, from cooling system changes to slimmer chassis, and this looks to be another step in that playbook.

The practical impact for gamers is significant. After the system software takes its share, the usable storage on the new 825GB model is closer to 700GB. With AAA games in 2025 regularly exceeding 100GB each, that space fills quickly. In real terms, players may only be able to keep six to seven modern titles installed at a time, compared to the slightly larger libraries possible on the 1TB version. For anyone juggling big releases like Call of Duty, Final Fantasy, or NBA 2K, the difference becomes tangible.

Should you still consider the PS5 Digital Edition?

It depends on your priorities. On the plus side, it remains more affordable than the disc version and still supports expansion through high-speed NVMe drives. For those who prefer a fully digital library and are willing to invest in storage upgrades, it remains a sleek and future-proof choice. On the downside, buyers are paying the same price for less internal space and must factor in the added cost of expansion earlier than expected. Some may find the disc-based PS5 Slim, with its broader flexibility, a better option in 2025.

Fortunately, expanding storage is straightforward. Sony officially supports a wide range of M.2 NVMe SSDs that can be installed internally, restoring or even surpassing the original 1TB capacity. For gamers who prefer more portable solutions, external SSDs are also available, though these are best suited for storing PS4 titles or archiving PS5 games rather than running them directly. Reliable options from brands like Samsung, WD, and Seagate offer plenty of performance for anyone worried about running out of space.

The downgrade first surfaced in European markets, raising questions about whether this revision will reach the United States and other regions. Historically, Sony has rolled out hardware changes gradually across territories, so it’s possible the 825GB version will become the global standard over the next production cycle. For now, buyers in regions not yet affected may still find 1TB stock available, but supplies are likely to dwindle as new units replace them.

Seen in a wider context, this move fits into Sony’s broader hardware strategy. Each PlayStation generation has introduced multiple revisions, from slimmer designs to quieter cooling systems. The PS5 has already seen several iterations since launch, and many speculate that the reduced-storage Digital Edition could be a precursor to a new PS5 Slim release. For Sony, these changes streamline manufacturing and extend the console’s lifecycle. For consumers, they introduce trade-offs between cost, convenience, and capability.

In the end, the PS5 Digital Edition downgrade highlights a tension between corporate cost-saving measures and gamer expectations. Buyers today must accept that less storage now comes at the same cost, plan for expansion sooner, or seek out older stock. For those thinking of making the leap, the smartest move is to weigh your library needs, compare models carefully, and budget for a storage upgrade if you choose the 825GB version. Before committing, it’s worth asking: is the reduced space enough for the way you play, or does it push you toward other options?