The PS5 and the Xbox Series X are both coming soon, and both consoles will have a cheaper alternative: the PS5 Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S are both aimed at gamers that don't want to pay full price for a new high-end console, but they could have hidden costs in the long run.
Neither of these consoles will have a disc drive, which allows the manufacturers at Sony and Microsoft to spend a little less money on making these 'digital only' versions of their next-gen consoles. That's why the PS5 Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S will be cheaper for punters to buy, compared to the normal PS5 and Xbox Series X.
READ MORE:PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition
And today, pre-orders have officially begun for the PS5: you can click here to see the official Amazon product page for the Standard Edition console, or here for the Digital Edition console.
This means that you'll have a choice to make when you're eyeing up a PS5 or a next-gen Xbox, and it might not be an easy one to make - especially with those low-end options looking tempting in the short term.
Here's what you should know about the hidden cost of having a digital-only console...
How much will the PS5 Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S cost?
We do know that the Xbox Series S will cost £249 GBP or $299 USD - that's 200 bucks less than the Xbox Series X. That's a very appealing saving, especially with economic times being particularly hard right now.
The PS5 Digital Edition will be £359.99 GBP or $399.99 USD, which is 100 bucks less than the Standard Edition PS5. That's not quite as a big a price difference as you see in the Xbox camp, but it will still be tempting to a lot of people.
However, if you save money upfront, does that mean you could be paying more later on?
READ MORE: PS5 Digital Edition vs Xbox Series S Lockhart
Why will the PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S cost more in the long run?
We've talked before about how digital games are more expensive than physical ones, and some of the reasons that's the case.
That's basically the issue here. Without being able to use discs, you'll miss out on physical stores undercutting each other to try and convince you to buy the game from them. Instead, when you want to buy a new game, you'll just have to pay whatever price Sony or Microsoft sets for the digital version of its hot new title.
There's also the issue with returns, which is to say, there usually aren't any digitally. That means you can't see if you like a game, or complete it and take it back to the store for a refund/trade-in.
It also means you can't pick up games second-hand, or even borrow them off a mate. Suddenly the savings you make initially are overwhelmed by expenses later on. Of course, digital sales are far more common nowadays, so it might not be the end of the world if you can be patient.
But still, don't be fooled by the cheaper price tag on the console - a digital version of console could become a money pit later on!
CHECK IT OUT:Amazon's official product page for the PS5