The PlayStation 5 will be getting a brand-new feature in the near future that will make your games worse! But don’t worry, it’s for a good cause, namely reducing the machine’s power usage.
Simply called Power Saver mode, the new feature is part of Sony’s ‘Road to Zero’ environmental plan. The scheme was launched way back in 2010 and aims to get Sony to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Sony describes the new mode as completely optional. It will scale back performance and will allow your PS5 to reduce its power consumption when the feature is enabled optionally by gamers.”
Sony promises to share more details, including estimated power savings, nearer to the feature’s launch.
This new mode has also caused some people to wonder if this could be a precursor to the long-rumoured PlayStation handheld console, allowing it to play native PS5 titles at a reduced rate and without immediately burning through its battery life.
For reference, a standard PS5 will typically consume around 200-220w during gameplay, although it can spike higher. The PS5 Pro consumes around 230w on average while gaming, based on the research I can find.