As the backlash against PlayStation’s physical disc decision continues to rage on, we thought it would be a good time to poll our readers on the potential of a digital-only PlayStation 6. There has been no official announcement to say the PS6 won’t support discs, but it has become the expectation following Sony’s bombshell announcement at the start of the month.

Ever since Sony announced the end of physical PlayStation discs, starting in January 2028, gamers have been openly voicing their anger online, and while Sony may not be officially commenting on it, the situation does seem to be affecting publishers and game devs advertising on official PlayStation channels. Even so, there has been no sign of the decision being reversed.

According to a recent poll on PC Guide, just 10% of respondents say they’d be “happy to upgrade” to a digital-only PlayStation 6. In other words, something akin to the current Digital Edition PS5 with no disc tray. The remaining 90% say they wouldn’t buy a digital-only model. Of that 90%, nearly half (49%) don’t want to support digital-only PS5 games either.

The stats above are based on ~870 respondents, but we’ll keep the poll running if you still want to have your say.

Should the PlayStation 6 support discs?

We’re likely more than a year away, at the very least, from the PS6 launch, so it’s too early to know its finer specifications. At this point, however, a digital-only model (as the only option) seems like a logical step for Sony, maybe with a separate disc drive peripheral for gamers looking to use their PS5 discs, presuming backwards compatibility will be available.

It’s worth keeping in mind that GTA 6 pre-orders don’t come with a disc, and it’s even region-locked on PS5. Despite the backlash online, it’s obvious to say that gamers have been flocking to pick up a copy of Rockstar Games’ new blockbuster title, which is due to be released on November 19. At this point, it doesn’t look like there will be another delay.

One ex-Sony employee has already suggested “no amount” of petitioning will convince Sony to change its mind. Physical discs on the PlayStation ecosystem are set to become a thing of the past, and we imagine the PS6 will be a proponent of that.

Digital downloads are the norm, but we’d still like to see the PS6 support physical discs; a detachable disc drive may be the best compromise we’ll get. Remember, even the PlayStation 5 Pro required you to pay extra for the disc drive (and the vertical stand).

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.