Hoping to buy a PS5? So is everyone else, unfortunately. Sony's next-generation console launched in the US about six weeks ago, back on Nov. 12, but the inventory was no match for demand and it sold out instantly. A few subsequent inventory drops since then have played out the same way. Right now the only consoles you can buy are marked up to obscene levels on sites like eBay and StockX, often multiple times their retail value of $400 or $500 (depending on which model you want). The console has been otherwise virtually impossible to find, with at least one person waiting in line for 36 hours to snag one at a California GameStop.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
Other inventory drops in the last few weeks have sold out immediately as well, with whatever scant inventory was available being no match for demand, especially since ordinary users have had to compete with bots and resellers. Just before the holidays, Best Buy was offering both versions of the PS5, as well as a bundle that included the console plus a copy of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, but it didn't take more than about 15 minutes to sell out, even with the retailer dropping inventory in waves. This means that for the moment, all retailers are sold out again.
The PS5 is available in two versions: a $500 model with Blu-ray, and an otherwise identical $400 digital-only version without a disc slot. At this point, people are happy to get their hands on either one, but if you don't have a library of optical discs -- for Blu-ray movies, used games or old PS4 games -- we recommend you go with the $400 version.
Remember to check back here for news and updates on new PS5 availability. You can also browse all the major retailers to see what their restock status is -- the list below has links to the PS5 product pages at each store.
PS5 restock possibilities
Best Buy is offering the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500 as well as the $400 Digital Edition (which you can find by clicking the button below). The retailer is also offering a slew of accessories on its PS5 landing page.
You can check out Amazon's page for the $400 Digital Edition via the button below, or, if you'd rather, get in line for the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500.
You can check inventory on the $400 Digital Edition at Walmart by clicking the button below, or you can try to snag the pricier PS5 with Blu-ray for $500.
Target will be offering the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500 in addition to the PS5 Digital Edition, which you can find by clicking the button below.
OK, you've exhausted all of the online and brick-and-mortar retailers, and you've decided you're willing to pay upward of a $300 markup to get this puppy by Christmas. As your friends, we have to tell you: Don't do it. But if you don't want to listen to us, you might want to check out StockX, an eBay alternative that made its name in the secondary market for sneakers and designer clothing. Last time we checked, prices for the PS5 were hovering around $700.
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First published earlier this year. Regularly updated with the latest PS5 stock news.
CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest promo codes from Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page.
The world today woke up to a bizarre piece of news. The headline that dominated the news today stated that Microsoft had acquired Sony with all its divisions, including Sony Music and its gaming division.
The ‘leak’ that came from a Spanish portal ‘Microsofters’ and translated into English by EN24 News stated that Microsoft Corporation had acquired rival conglomerate Sony Corp in an astounding $130 billion deal.
The report also stated that the deal entailed Microsoft acquiring various divisions of Sony Corp including Sony Pictures, Sony Music, PlayStation divisions, mobile phone division, its patents, and its camera and TV divisions. What made the report sound convincing, or at least somewhat convincing, was the mention of Microsoft’s VP of Gaming, Phil Spencer.
But as it turns out, the report is fake. Simply said, Microsoft has NOT acquired Sony.
There are many things that make the latter sound more reasonable than the former. Firstly, when the news broke, no major media platform picked the story that could easily have been the story of the year. Exchange4Media did pick the story up but the publication deleted it later. Secondly, even hours after the leak, neither Microsoft nor Sony have released a statement -- via a blog or social media -- about this alleged acquisition. Lastly, an acquisition of this level would require tons of regulatory approvals that don’t happen overnight. Safe to say that the news is indeed not true.
We have reached out to Sony for further clarifications. We will update this story as soon as we hear from them.
All too predictably given the complications associated with the latest generation of HDMI connections, the arrival of the new generation of gaming PCs and consoles hasn’t gone entirely smoothly.
And that’s before we even consider the fact that most 2020 TVs - even some high end models - don’t even provide any HDMI ports capable of handling the most cutting edge features the latest gaming devices have introduced.
Samsung's current high-end LCD TVs can't seemingly play 4K 120Hz in HDR from the PS5, even though ... [+]they're supposed to be able to.
Photo: Samsung
Unfortunately there’s now another HDMI hiccup to add to the list. For as reported on numerous forums (including Samsung’s own Community websites) and now confirmed by my own experience with a PS5 and a Samsung Q90T, none of Samsung’s premium 2020 4K TVs - the Q70T, Q80T, Q85T, Q90T or Q95T - appear to be able to live up to their promise of playing 4K resolution at 120Hz frame rates from a PS5 while also delivering HDR. Even though the same TVs CAN, as expected, play 4K 120Hz HDR from the Xbox Series X.
Basically with a PS5 and one of these TVs, you have to choose whether you want 4K at 120Hz in SDR, or 4K at 60Hz in HDR. This occurs even when the console is correctly attached to the single HDMI (HDMI 4) on the Samsung TVs that’s designed to deliver 4K 120Hz in HDR, with that HDMI input’s Input Signal Plus setting activated, and using the HDMI cable Sony supplies with the PS5. I seem to be running the latest version of the TV’s firmware (Version 1460 in the UK), too.
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Let’s look at Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, for example. This game supports 4K in HDR at either 60Hz or 120Hz, and if I select the Resolution mode in the Game Presets section of the PS5’s Saved Data and Game/App Settings Menu (yes, it’s that hard to find…), then the game plays in 4K 60Hz with HDR. As I can confirm by pressing the Enter key on the Samsung TV remote while the game is playing.
Currently the PS5 can't output 4K at 120Hz in HDR to a number of current premium Samsung TVs that ... [+]should on paper be capable of handling it.
Photo: Sony PlayStation
If, however, I choose the Performance setting in the PS5’s Game Presets menu, which prioritises frame rate, and I reboot the game, it now plays in 4K 120Hz on the Q90T, but without HDR. As I can again confirm by pressing the Samsung TV remote’s Select button.
If you go to the PS5 Home menu from a Cold War 120Hz play session and switch straight over to Astro’s Playroom with the Samsung’s input information display onscreen, you can actually see the output switch from 4K 120Hz with no HDR to 4K 60Hz with HDR as Astro boots up.
Switching between the PS5’s Resolution and Performance priority options for Call Of Duty: Cold War also causes a change in the PS5’s Video Output Information screen. In Resolution mode, the Video Output Information screen says the TV is able to send 4K 60Hz to the Samsung TV in the ‘best’ RGB color format. In Performance mode, though, while the resolution changes as you’d expect, to 3840x2160 at 120Hz, the colour format also changes from RGB to the less pristine, less data intensive YUV422 format.
Play Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War with the PS5 set to Performance mode, to prioritise frame rate ... [+]and unlock the game's 120Hz mode, and HDR is no longer available on my Samsung Q90T.
Photo: John Archer
This RGB/YUV422 switch shouldn’t in truth make much visible difference to the picture (though you might want to check out my earlier article on a related problem with the Xbox Series X’s current output settings). What’s more, the frequencies (HDR) section of the PS5 Video Output Information screen still clearly states that you should be able to enjoy 120Hz in HDR. But it just doesn’t appear to work on these Samsung TVs.
With Dirt 5, another PS5 game that supports 120Hz and HDR, the situation is even weirder. This game uses its own internal performance switching/HDR calibration system, rather than depending on the ‘external’, console-instigated Performance/Resolution mode deployed by Cold War. All looks fine initially, with 4K and HDR shown to be in play on the Samsung input info display. As soon as you choose Dirt 5’s High Frame Rate Mode option, though, the HDR logo disappears from the TV’s info box, and the picture goes completely wrong. Blacks become massively crushed, bright peaks completely bleach out, and color refinement is massively compromised.
The only way to get this mode to deliver a correct-looking image is to turn HDR output off on the PS5.
In other words, what seems to be happening is that Dirt 5 is still using HDR ‘values’ for its graphics output when you switch to High Frame Rate Mode, but the Samsung screen is no longer functioning in HDR mode because the console is no longer outputting HDR. It’s a mess, honestly.
As with all things HDMI 2.1-related, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the cause of the PS5’s issues with Samsung’s Q70T, Q80T, Q85T, Q90T and Q95T TVs might be. The HDMI 4 port on these TVs has been tested and shown to support bandwidths up to 40Gbps - enough to handle 4K 120Hz in HDR. LG’s latest X series of OLED TVs (which also have 40Gbps HDMIs) have also proven themselves capable of playing 4K 120Hz in HDR from the PS5, and as noted previously, the Xbox Series X does work in 4K 120Hz HDR on the Q90T. Even with variable refresh rate technology also engaged (VRR isn’t currently available on the PS5).
Left: Dirt 5's messed up graphics when you switch to its 120Hz High Frame Rate Mode on a Samsung ... [+]Q90T. Right: PS5 HDR working correctly at 60Hz on a Q90T when you switch away from the Frame Rate Mode
Photo: John Archer
It may be worth adding that the Xbox Series X 4K 120Hz VRR implementation is a bit flaky on the Q90T I’m using. If you toggle VRR on in the console’s menus with Cold War already booted in with the console in 120Hz mode, HDR does actually drop out. You have to quit the game and reboot it for the 4K 120Hz HDR VRR combi to all activate properly.
Even then, the addition of VRR to the 4K HDR 120Hz setting noticeably reduces overall picture quality, as if the set is having to reduce the quality of its backlight and color controls to handle the changing refresh rates. There’s also a noticeable flickering effect at times with relatively dark content - though fortunately this seems to mostly restrict itself to Cold War’s menus rather than much of the in-game action.
My best guess as to why the PS5 can’t play 4K 120Hz in HDR on Samsung’s current premium TVs is that it has something to do with HDMI 2.1’s DSC (Display Stream Compression) technology for fitting more image data into smaller data bandwidth pipes. The Xbox Series X uses this, but the Playstation 5 apparently does not. Having suggested this as a possible cause of the issues, though, the 40Gbps capability of the Samsung TVs’ HDMI 4 port should be enough to support 4K 120Hz with HDR even without any compression.
I’m surprised, finally, that the issues described in this story haven’t raised more debate before now, which makes me wonder if possibly they only affect certain Q70T-Q90T sets rather than every single model across those ranges (remembering that the 49-inch models in these ranges do not, I think, support 4K at 120Hz at all). So if there’s anyone out there reading this who owns one of the affected Samsung TVs and can confirm to me via the Twitter account linked to at the bottom of this article that they are indeed able to play 4K at 120Hz with HDR functioning normally from a PS5, ideally with a confirmatory screen shot showing the TV’s information box (as per the images I’ve included in this article), that would be much appreciated.
Similarly, if you’re able to confirm that you’re suffering the same issues that I and others are, I’d also welcome the feedback.
I’ve raised this issue with Samsung and Sony PlayStation, and will report back when I hear anything useful from either or both of them.
There’s snow beginning to appear on the ground, but Sony is keeping employees warm with custom PlayStation 5 jackets. It’s unclear exactly who it’s sending these limited edition coats to, but we’ve seen several Tweets about them now, including this one from Naughty Dog’s Senior QA Jan 'Gabby' Llanillo. Looks like these are rewards for anyone in the United States who works within the PlayStation family.
So, what’s so hot about these? Well, aside from their insulating design, they also have a 25th Anniversary emblem on the sleeve, PlayStation zip pulls, and commemorative ‘PS5 Launch Team’ embroidery. Pretty cool one-of-a-kind items, right? And practical, too – what more could you want?
Sony shipped 3.4 million PlayStation 5 units in the first four weeks of availability, the highest ever for a PlayStation console, according to a new report.
According to a new report from Digitimes, spotted by Serkan Toto, Sony will also ship between 16.8 and 18 million units in 2021 thanks to a supply steam ramp-up. More units will be reserved for Asian territory from January.
— Dr. Serkan Toto / Kantan Games Inc. (@serkantoto) December 29, 2020
While Digitimes is not always accurate, the 3.4 million figure does fall in line with reports from earlier this year revealing that Sony is planning to ship 10 million PlayStation 5 units before March 2021. The Japanese company originally planned to ship between 5 and 6 million units by March, but the increased demand made Sony change its plans.
The PlayStation 5 launched last month worldwide. The console's launch line-up is quite solid, featuring exclusive games like Bluepoint's Demon's Souls remake and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. While these games are hardly revolutionary, their implementation of DualSense functionality, among other things, does help to make the PlayStation 5 feel like a proper next-gen system, as highlighted by Kai in his review of the system.
Sony's entry into the next-generation console war is the one that feels like a proper next-gen system. Rather than simply expanding on the existing libraries, Sony has established themselves as the console that's going to bring gamers into a new era. The software and UI are both early on in their implementation, but it's the combination of Sony's new Tempest AudioTech, titles that can take advantage of the SSD, and the DualSense controller that truly make this console stand out among the rest.
The PlayStation 5 console is now available worldwide in two different editions: the regular edition, complete with Bluray drive, and the Digital Edition.
The PS5 console unleashes new gaming possibilities that you never anticipated
Experience lightning-fast loading with an ultra-high-speed SSD, deeper immersion with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and 3D Audio, and an all-new generation of incredible PlayStation games
Lightning Speed - Harness the power of a custom CPU, GPU and SSD with Integrated I/O that rewrite the rules of what a PlayStation console can do
Stunning Games - marvel at incredible graphics and experience new PS5 features
Breathtaking Immersion - discover a deeper gaming experience with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio technology
The Sony Xperia line still has a loyal group of fans who will be pleased to hear about the alleged specs for the Sony Xperia 1 III 5G smartphone. Not only will the premium device sport an essential Snapdragon 888 SoC but it will boast of the kind of display enthusiasts will drool over. Being a Sony device, a lot can be expected from the screen, and it seems this will be delivered: 6.5-inch diagonal, 4K resolution, AMOLED type panel, HDR support, 120 Hz refresh rate.
On top of a first-class chipset and probably stunning display (apparently 15% brighter now), the Sony Xperia 1 III should offer 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, although other configurations might be made available. As mentioned above, 5G is supported, and the next Xperia 1 will also be IP65/IP68 water and dust resistant according to the leak source. The fingerprint sensor will be fitted into the side of the smartphone, but the camera equipment is still a mystery. However, once again being Sony you could bet that the lenses will be of a very high standard.
Predictions from a separate source state up to 512 GB storage, a 5,000-mAh battery, and 650+ ppi display. There’s no denying this potential Sony Xperia 1 III has the potential to be a terrific purchase, but the price tag is yet again supposedly over US$1,000, which is a sharp contrast to the admittedly domestic prices of the Xiaomi Mi 11. At US$1,199, the Xperia 1 III will really have to perform, but at least the price tag hasn’t rocketed as the Xperia 1 II was launched at the same price point.
Wall Street has mixed feelings about penny stocks. These tickers changing hands for less than $5 per share either draw investors in with their high return potential or send them running for the hills, but why?When we say high return potential, we aren’t exaggerating. The bargain price points allow investors to snap up more shares than possible when investing in other more well-known names. What’s more, even what feels like trivial share price appreciation can translate to massive percentage gains.That said, there’s a legitimate reason some investors are wary when it comes to penny stocks. The risk involved with these plays scares off the faint hearted as very real problems like weak fundamentals or overwhelming headwinds could be masked by the low share prices.So, how should investors approach a potential penny stock investment? By taking a cue from the analyst community. These experts bring in-depth knowledge of the industries they cover and substantial experience to the table.Bearing this in mind, we used TipRanks’ database to find two compelling penny stocks, according to Wall Street analysts. Both tickers boast a Strong Buy consensus rating and plenty of upside potential.Matinas BioPharma (MTNB) By using its lipid nano-crystal platform (LNC) delivery technology, Matinas BioPharma hopes to solve complex challenges related to the oral delivery of small molecules, gene therapies, vaccines, proteins and peptides. Currently going for $0.87 apiece, several members of the Street believe its share price presents an attractive entry point.Writing for BTIG, 5-star analyst Robert Hazlett points to MAT2203 as a key component of his bullish thesis. The therapy was designed as a liposomal nanocrystal (LNC) version of the broad-spectrum anti-fungal amphotericin B that allows for oral delivery of the drug.Ahead of the Phase 2 EnACT trial evaluating the candidate in cryptococcal meningitis, with enrollment for Cohort 2 set to begin in the near-term and the next DSMB data expected in mid-2021, Hazlett points out that this is the “first of potentially several indications with the novel antifungal.”Further explaining his optimism about the therapy, Hazlett stated, “There was unanimous recommendation by the independent DSMB to move to the second cohort of patients in of EnACT, which is a validating event for MAT2203, as progression through the cohorts is assessed by the rate of CSF fungal clearance and the absence of fungal count rebound, and progression through the cohorts of EnACT therefore signals MAT2203's activity and its successful crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to maintain a reduced fungal count in the CSF.”Additionally, the enrollment for ENHANCE-IT, a head-to-head trial of MAT9001 compared to Amarin’s Vascepa, has been completed. MAT9001 is MTNB’s free fatty acid formulation of EPA and DPA, and according to Hazlett, it generates substantially higher blood levels of EPA than Vascepa.If that wasn’t enough, the company has recently announced a collaboration with the NIAID to study a liposomal nanocrystal (LNC) formulation of Gilead’s remdesivir, for an oral formulation of the COVID-19 therapy. “We believe this collaboration further validates Matinas' LNC technology,” Hazlett commented.In line with his bullish stance, Hazlett rates MTNB a Buy, and his $5 price target implies room for a stunning 474% upside potential in the next 12 months. (To watch Hazlett’s track record, click here)Turning now to the rest of the Street, other analysts echo Hazlett’s sentiment. As only Buy recommendations have been published in the last three months, MTNB earns a Strong Buy analyst consensus. With the average price target clocking in at $4, shares could soar 359% from current levels. (See MTNB stock analysis on TipRanks)Equillium (EQ)Leveraging an in-depth understanding of immunology and its role in disease, Equillium is developing innovative therapies for severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. With shares trading for $4.25, some analysts think that now is the time to pull the trigger.Following the company’s Analyst Day highlighting its clinical programs for anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody itolizumab, Leerink analyst Thomas Smith remains optimistic about its long-term growth prospects.During the event, EQ released individual patient responses along with biomarker analyses, coming on the heels of the recent positive interim data from the first three cohorts of the Phase 1b EQUATE trial studying itolizumab in acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). Going forward, the company wants to conduct dose expansion in Cohorts 2 and 3, by enrolling three additional patients in each cohort, with top line results from the trial expected in 1H21.Looking at the initial data from the Phase 1b EQUATE trial, it showed rapid, deep, and durable responses for itolizumab in aGVHD, in Smith’s opinion. As for the updated data, there was an 80% overall response rate (ORR) across all doses by day 57, with 8 out of 10 total patients achieving a complete response (CR). What’s more, the therapy was also tied to the ability to taper and dose reduce systemic steroid use in patients.“These results aligned with biomarker data showing that itolizumab rapidly decreased CD6 expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells. We believe these results are compelling and supportive of EQ’s plans to expand dosing into additional GVHD patients at the 0.8mg/kg and 1.6mg/kg dose levels,” Smith explained.If that wasn’t enough, EQ presented preclinical and translational research supporting the Phase 1b EQUALISE trial for itolizumab in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN), and Smith expects top line results in SLE to come in 1Q21 and interim results in LN in 2H21.To this end, Smith rates EQ a Buy along with an $18 price target. Should this target be met in the year ahead, investors could be pocketing a gain of ~328%. (To watch Smith’s track record, click here)What does the rest of the Street have to say? 3 Buys and no Holds or Sells add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. Given the $15 average price target, shares could skyrocket 328% in the year ahead. (See EQ stock analysis on TipRanks)To find good ideas for penny stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
