When Did PS5 Come Out – Release Dates Price and Models Guide

The PlayStation 5 arrived in two waves starting in November 2020. Sony confirmed the launch dates and pricing in a September 2020 press release, ending months of speculation. The console launched first in North America, Japan, and a handful of other markets on November 12, 2020, followed by Europe, the UK, and most of the rest of the world a week later on November 19, 2020.

Since then, Sony has introduced a redesigned model (the PS5 Slim in 2023) and a premium PS5 Pro (released November 2024). The original release date remains fixed, but questions still arise – especially around UK timing, pricing at launch, and confusion about later hardware revisions. This article lays out the verified facts.

All information here draws from Sony’s official announcements, PlayStation blog posts, and the console’s documented history. External links are provided for direct verification. Where information is uncertain, that is clearly stated.

When Did the PS5 Come Out? Global and UK Release Dates

Overview

Key insights

• The PS5 launched in two waves: November 12 (US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea) and November 19 (Europe, UK, and most other regions).
• Launch pricing has remained stable for the disc model, but the Digital Edition saw a price increase in some markets in April 2025.
• The PS5 Slim (model CFI-1200) quietly replaced the original design in late 2023. Sony did not initially brand it as “Slim,” but that is the common consumer name.
• Sony officially released the PS5 Pro on November 7, 2024, at a higher price point.
• The PS4 launched seven years earlier (November 2013), following a typical console generation span.

Quick facts: PS5 release and pricing

What Was the PS5 Price at Launch?

Sony set two price points at launch: $399.99 / £359.99 / €399.99 for the PS5 Digital Edition, and $499.99 / £449.99 / €499.99 for the model with the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive. These prices came directly from the Sony Interactive Entertainment press release on September 16, 2020.

The Digital Edition later saw a price increase in Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand effective April 14, 2025, due to what Sony described as “a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates.” The UK Digital Edition rose from £359.99 to £429.99. The disc drive model’s base price remained unchanged, but Sony also cut the price of the separate disc drive accessory.

When Did Previous PlayStation Consoles Come Out? (PS4 & PS3)

PlayStation 4

The PS4 launched in November 2013 across most regions simultaneously. Its release date came seven years before the PS5. Sony designed the PS5 to maintain backward compatibility with many PS4 games, and at the PS5 announcement, Sony explicitly said the PS4 community would transition over time while some exclusives remained cross-gen.

PlayStation 3

The PS3 launched in 2006, making it much older than the PS5. It is not broadly compatible with the PS5 ecosystem. The PS3’s release is relevant mainly as part of PlayStation’s generational history, providing context for the typical console lifecycle. Wikipedia’s PlayStation 5 page includes the full lineage.

What Are the Future PS5 Models and PS6 Release Dates?

PS5 Slim (2023)

Sony introduced a redesigned smaller PS5 model in late 2023. It features a new smaller chassis and a separate disc drive attachment for the digital version. This revision replaced the original launch models in retail availability. Sony did not officially use the “Slim” label, but it is the common consumer name. The PS5 Slim is a hardware revision within the same generation, with full game compatibility.

PS5 Pro (2024)

Sony officially released the PS5 Pro globally on November 7, 2024. It features a faster GPU, improved ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling technology. Priced at $699 / £699 / €799, it is positioned as a premium enhanced model, not a replacement for the base PS5. The release was widely reported, including on Wikipedia.

PS6 – no official date

As of mid-2025, Sony has not announced a PS6 release date. Any exact date found online is speculation unless confirmed by Sony or major financial reporting. Industry discussion often estimates a next-generation PlayStation around the late 2020s, based on historical 7-year cycles, but that remains unconfirmed.

PS5 Launch Timeline: Key Dates from 2020 to 2025

1. April 2019 – PS5 officially announced as successor to PS4.
2. September 2020 – Pre‑orders begin after price and date reveal.
3. November 12, 2020 – PS5 launches in US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, South Korea.
4. November 19, 2020 – PS5 launches in Europe, UK, India, Russia, and other regions.
5. August 2022 – PS5 price increase announced (not launch price).
6. November 2023 – PS5 Slim (CFI-1200) arrives with detachable disc drive.
7. November 7, 2024 – PS5 Pro launches globally.

For a more detailed chronological summary, see the Short timeline on Wikipedia.

What Is Confirmed and What Is Still Uncertain About PS5 Releases?

Why Does the PS5 Release Date Still Matter in 2025?

The PS5 launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing unprecedented demand and supply shortages. Unlike the PS4, which had a simultaneous global launch, the PS5’s staggered rollout created confusion, especially around regional dates. The persistent question “when did ps5 come out in 2022” likely stems from confusion with the August 2022 price increase or new bundles, not a new launch. Reddit discussions often focus on personal experiences of obtaining the console rather than official dates.

The PS5 Pro and PS6 questions reflect user interest in future-proofing and long-term planning. Understanding the correct launch timeline helps consumers make informed decisions about when to buy and what to expect from Sony’s next moves.

Where Can I Find Official PS5 Release Information?

“PS5 will launch in the U.S., Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea on November 12, followed by most of the world on November 19.”

Sony Interactive Entertainment press release (September 16, 2020)

“PS5 consoles launched in select territories on 12 November 2020, and in the rest of the world on 19 November 2020.”

PlayStation.com official FAQ

“The PlayStation 5 was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North America, and South Korea, and worldwide on November 19.”

Wikipedia – PlayStation 5

When Did the PS5 Come Out? The Bottom Line

The PS5 originally launched on November 12 and 19, 2020, depending on region. The UK got it on November 19 at £449.99 (disc) and £359.99 (digital). Sony later released a PS5 Slim in 2023 and a PS5 Pro in 2024. There is no official PS6 release date. For the most authoritative source on launch details, see the PS5 original release date and launch price press release.

Frequently Asked Questions