The PlayStation 5 offers several lesser-known and, sometimes, underrated features that massively contribute to the overall gaming experience and make the console well worth the upgrade. Here, we will cover some of the more underrated reasons to upgrade to a PS5.
1. Detachable PS5 Covers and Controller Faceplates
Let’s start with some cosmetic features. One cool and underrated feature of the PS5 is that its covers and controller faceplates are detachable and, therefore, customizable. This means you can add some personal flair to your PS5 and make it your own, something you can’t do with your PlayStation 4.
Sony has already launched new PlayStation 5 covers with matching DualSense controllers (which it sells separately) in various colors, including Midnight Black, Cosmic Red, Starlight Blue, Galactic Purple, and Nova Pink. You can also find third-party covers and controller faceplates online to get more creative with your customization.
2. Improved UI
Although we might not always value it, a good user interface (UI) can make a world of difference when it comes to your overall experience. That’s because modern consoles can do more than just play games, so a poorly designed or disorganized home screen, for example, can be frustrating and make it hard to find what you’re looking for.
That said, you will be glad to know that Sony has significantly improved the user interface and experience with the PlayStation 5. The PS5’s home screen is now divided into two tabs: Game and Media, each containing their related content.
That’s not all; you also have a Control Center, which you can access by tapping the PS button on the controller and provides quick access to features like the Switcher, Notifications, Downloads/Uploads, Mic, and more. You can even customize these shortcuts to show the options you use most often and hide the rest.
You can do that by pressing the Options button on your DualSense controller while in the Control Center. You can also use the Control Center to access various Cards like the Activity Card, which lets you check your trophy progress and available challenges in the game you are playing. All in all, the new and improved UI makes it easier and more enjoyable to use the PS5.
3. The Create Button on the DualSense Controller
Your PS4 controller has a Share button that allows you to take screenshots, record video clips, and broadcast your gameplay. The new Create button on the DualSense controller retains those features but does things better.
Sony has made it easier for you to share your PS5 game captures through the Create button. You can take a screenshot by pressing and holding the Create button until you see a screenshot icon in the top right corner of your screen. Alternatively, tap the Create button and choose the “Take Screenshot” option.
You can also press the Create button twice to save a video clip of your recent gameplay, or press it once and select Save Recent Gameplay, which gives you the option to save a short clip or a full-length video.
If you want to change what happens when you tap, press twice, or press and hold the Create button, you can do so by going to Settings > Captures and Broadcasts > Captures > Shortcuts for Create Button, and you will find various options to choose from.
The Create button also gives you quick access to options like Start New Recording, Broadcast, Share Screen, and Capture Options, which lets you customize your screenshot and video clip file types.
4. 3D Audio
With more processing power to work with, the PlayStation 5 can deliver 3D audio, which adds an extra layer of immersion to your gaming experience. This means you can hear sounds as though they are coming from various directions, making it easier to identify where they are coming from.
The PS5’s Tempest Engine is the hardware chip responsible for producing 3D audio, and it’s capable of handling different sounds from various directions and distances. For example, you might be able to hear an enemy approaching from behind and above you or the sound of rain getting louder as it gets closer. You can enable 3D audio on your PS5 through the Settings menu.
5. Ray Tracing
Wondering what ray tracing is? It is a rendering technique that produces realistic lighting effects by tracing the path of light as it bounces off objects in a game, and this results in more natural lighting, shadows, and reflections. If you enjoy playing visually-stunning games, you might consider upgrading to the PS5, as it supports ray tracing.
One of the PS5 games that leverage ray tracing is Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. In this game, you will notice that the reflections on surfaces look more realistic, and the shadows are more detailed. However, to enjoy this feature, you must enable resolution mode on your PS5, which will sacrifice some frame rate for better visuals.
6. Game Help
Playing video games is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, but sometimes it can be frustrating when you get stuck on a specific level. It gets worse when you have to spend significant amounts of your gaming time finding solutions online or dealing with spoilers. Fortunately, you might not have to worry about this anymore if you upgrade to the PS5.
The PS5’s Game Help is a new feature that gives you access to helpful hints while playing a game. For example, if you get stuck in a supported game like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, you can simply press the PS button on your controller to go to the Control Center.
If Game Help is available, you will see a lightbulb icon in the top right corner of your in-progress game card. You can watch the video in the Control Center without leaving the game or pin it to the side of your screen to follow along. However, you should note that this feature is only available to PlayStation Plus subscribers.
7. 1440p Support
If you own a 1440p monitor or TV, you might be happy to know that the PS5 will support this resolution, as revealed in this PlayStation Blog entry. This means you can enjoy your PS5 games in 1440p without upscaling or downscaling the image, which is another underrated reason to upgrade to a PS5.
At the time of writing, this feature is limited to invited participants in some countries. However, you can select this resolution on compatible monitors or TVs once available to the public.
There’s More to the PS5 Than Meets the Eye
The PlayStation 5 is a powerful console that offers many new and improved features you won’t find on your PS4, some of which are eye-catching while others are more subtle. If you have been on the fence about upgrading to a PS5, we hope this article has helped you to see some benefits of owning a PS5.
However, being a gaming console, it all comes down to the games available. Luckily, the PS5 is backward compatible with the PS4, so you can still play your favorite games on the new console. In addition, there are several new and upcoming PS5 games to keep you occupied.
