New PS5 part revealed in hands-on video — but what is it for?

New PS5 part revealed in easily-on video — simply what is it for?

(Image credit: Sony)

Videos of PS5 hands-ons from Japan have been circulating online, but i has revealed a strange commodities in the panel'south side with no explanation for the mysterious nut.

Spotted by 4Gamers, the nut can be seen when looking into the PS5's upper correct-manus-side section if its casing. How hands it'due south accessed and what information technology's for remains to exist explained, merely we take some theories.

PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Which console is for you lot?
Meet all the full PS5 games list and then far
Plus: NBA 2K21 PS5 gameplay revealed – and it'southward super realistic

First off, the PS5's internal storage is gear up to be expandable, only besides given there's only 825GB of SSD space. And so this bolt could mark the point at which users remove part of the PS5's monolithic shell and access an expansion slot that promises to take off-the-shelf PCIe 4.0 SSDs, providing they're Sony approved.

The PS4's hard drive could be replaced with a larger chapters bulldoze, every bit long as users were willing to get busy with a screwdriver. And then it's non unreasonable for Sony to expect future PS5 customers to exercise the same.

However, the Xbox Series X is offering a very easy plug-and-play system, whereby the storage can be easily expanded past 1TB using an external proprietary SSD. Merely these are fix to be expensive upgrades.

PS5 mystery nut — (Image credit: 4Gamer)

Alternatively, the foreign nut could be the means to remove the PS5'due south white covering and so attach new panels, peradventure those with custom designs as we've seen bandied around by concept renders. Sony has said previously that the PS5 will be a customizable console; whether that will be something users tin do or more the realms of professional person modders remains to be seen.

Given the venting on the PS5, the nut could as well allow parts of the chassis to be removed and then people tin clean out any grit that might be blocking the console's fans and cause it to ramp up the fan speed and thus book. Early hands-ons have indicated the PS5 is pretty tranquillity, and we imagine that's tied to articulate air catamenia to the console's powerful innards.

In the consoles of erstwhile — nosotros're talking classic Nintendo and Sega machines — such nuts would suggest that the consoles could exist fastened to some intriguing accessories. For case, the Nintendo 64 had a port underneath it that allowed it to exist connected to a region specific game slot. Nonetheless, given the PS5 appears to accept all it needs to exist a powerful amusement automobile, we dubiousness the nut is for such elaborate expansions.

With the PS5 due to release in the U.South. on November 12 and the U.Thou. on November 19, nosotros've not got long to wait until we get a proper look at Sony'southward next-generation consoles. PS5 pre-orders are also live, but they've sold out very quickly, and so be prepared to be patient to bag yourself a console.

Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom'southward Guide with a focus on news, features and stance articles. He frequently writes most gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he's likewise got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland tin exist establish wandering around London, oft with a look of marvel on his face.