Skip to main content

Sony’s cartridge patent may describe a custom external SSD for the PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5 external SSDs
Rendered by Lets Go Digital

Sony filed a patent in June describing what appeared to be a game cartridge design for an unannounced PlayStation-branded handheld device. Now, there’s speculation that this patent describes a custom external SSD for the upcoming PlayStation 5 console.

Brazil’s Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI or National Institute of Industrial Property) published Sony’s patent on November 5, 2019. Translated, the title reads “configuration applied to/in data recording and storage device.” Little information resides within the patent, though an illustration clearly resembles a game cartridge-like device.

Recommended Videos

Discovered by LetsGoDigital, the patent lists the design as a Class 14.99 device, which translates to “Electronic game accessories” in Japan, which led to speculation of a possible handheld gaming device given that the PlayStation Vita relied on small cartridges. The older PlayStation Portable used the failed Universal Media Disc cartridges.

Despite its lackluster seven-year run, the PlayStation Vita served as a good companion for the PlayStation 4. Owners could stream PS4 games straight to the device anywhere in the house. But it lacked the innovation of the Nintendo 3DS and Switch. It also fell prey to the rise of mobile gaming.

The published patent suggest that Sony may attempt a companion handheld console again and release it alongside – if not soon after – the PlayStation 5 arrives during the 2020 holiday season. But that may not be the case at all.

Sony will reportedly ship the PlayStation 5 with an internal SSD. That just makes sense given how hard drives are slower and require games to include multiple assets, making the game installs painfully large. But given SSDs cost more than hard drives, Sony may install SSDs with lower capacities to keep the overall console price tag low.

That’s where the external SSDs come into play. Similar to its approach with SD cards, Sony may sell proprietary SSDs designed specifically for the PlayStation 5 so gamers can increase the overall storage. That could mean PlayStation 5 owners can’t purchase and install SSDs manufactured by third parties, like SanDisk, WD, and so on.

Sony is expected to reveal the PlayStation 5 during an event in February 2020, followed by a huge showcase at E3 2020 four months later. After that, the console may arrive just before Christmas at the end of 2020. It will reportedly rely on an AMD “Navi” chip supporting 8K Ultra HD and ray tracing. It may also include a 4k Blu-ray player supporting 100GB optical discs.

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
The PlayStation 5 just got a discount in time for the holidays
A lit table holds a PS5 Pro, and a PS5 all digital, the former standing noticeably taller.

Play Has No Limits | PS5

PlayStation announced its big holiday deal on Tuesday, discounting the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition by $70 from now until December 24, 2024.

Read more
Stellar Blade’s no-brainer Nier: Automata crossover DLC lands next week
A woman with long white hair and a black outfit that has only one leg covered. She's kneeling after attacking an enemy.

The Stellar Blade and Nier: Automata crossover DLC is on the way, with special items set to be available when the former game updates on November 20.

An announcement on the PlayStation Blog reveals that a shop run by Emil, the stone-faced, dead-eyed merchant that you may recognize as the mask Nier: Automata creator Yoko Taro wears out in public, will be available in Stellar Blade. Players can then gain access to 11 new items. While the post doesn't specify what they are, you can expect some familiar outfits.

Read more
Sony commits to single-player games in wake of Concord failure
Astro Bot dresses up as Kratos.

Sony is not giving up on single-player games despite investing a lot into live-service games over the past few years, with plans to release at least one "major" single-player game every year "from next fiscal year onwards."

The company released its Q2 2024 financial report on Friday, and there was a lot of good news for the video game division despite the high-profile failure of live-service title Concord. Earlier this year. The hero shooter only wracked up a few hundred players on Steam at launch -- only 697 concurrent users at peak, according to SteamDB. Sony Interactive Entertainment took the game offline two weeks after launch before eventually sunsetting it and shutting down developer Firewalk Studios.

Read more