Are Digital-Only Consoles Worth It? 10 Essential Considerations Before You Buy or Upgrade

Introduction

Digital-only consoles (no disc drive) are an increasingly common option — the Xbox Series S and the PS5 Digital Edition are prominent examples. They can be cheaper and sleeker, but they change how you buy, share, store, and keep games long-term. Below are 10 clear, practical considerations to help you decide whether a digital-only console is the right buy or upgrade for your gaming habits.

Ownership and resale: you generally don’t own a transferrable disc

What to know: Digital purchases are licensed to your account and usually cannot be resold or transferred the way physical discs can. If resale value matters to you, physical media preserves that option. See an explainer on digital ownership and licensing issues. (Kotaku discussion of digital ownership) https://kotaku.com/you-don-t-really-own-your-digital-games-and-that-s-a-pr-1792107279

Up-front savings vs long-term cost: digital sales and pricing differences

What to know: Digital-only consoles are often priced below disc-capable models (example: Xbox Series S vs Series X), but game pricing and sale frequency can vary between physical and digital markets. Consider the console’s initial price alongside how you buy games (full-price vs waiting for digital sales). Compare Xbox console pricing/specs here. https://www.xbox.com/en-US/consoles/compare
Tip: Track store sales (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store) and third-party physical discounts to estimate your likely spend.

Internet speed and data caps: downloads and updates matter

What to know: Digital-only consoles require you to download full game installs and frequent updates. Large AAA titles can be tens or even hundreds of gigabytes and can take hours on slow connections; patching also requires bandwidth. If you have slow speeds or a strict data cap, this can be a major inconvenience. Microsoft troubleshooting and download guidance. https://support.xbox.com/help/hardware-network/connect-network/troubleshoot-network-connection-issues
Tip: Check your ISP plan’s monthly cap and your usual download speed before committing.

Storage needs and upgrade options: SSD space fills fast

What to know: Digital libraries consume internal storage quickly. The PS5’s internal SSD is 825GB usable and the Xbox Series S ships with 512GB — both can fill up after a few large games. Confirm expansion/compatible storage options before buying. PS5 console details. https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps5/console/
Tip: Budget for an appropriate internal or approved external SSD if you plan to keep several large titles installed at once.

Backward compatibility and disc-only games

What to know: Some backward-compatible discs cannot be used on digital-only consoles — if you own older disc-based games, a digital-only unit may limit access. Check platform compatibility: Xbox backward compatibility overview. https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/games-apps/game-compatibility/backward-compatibility
Tip: Inventory your current physical collection before swapping to a digital-only machine.

Collector editions, physical extras, and special content

What to know: Physical special editions often include artbooks, steelbooks, or codes tied to a disc purchase. If you value physical collectibles and limited-run extras, a digital-only path eliminates some of those options or adds complexity to preserving them. For context, many collector editions are sold as physical bundles through retailers and auction marketplaces (see coverage of collector editions and the secondary market). https://www.eurogamer.net/ (searches on collector editions and second-hand value)
Tip: If collector value matters, plan to buy physical editions and keep a disc-capable console or buy a disc drive-capable model.

Game sharing and family use: different models for digital vs discs

What to know: Digital platforms offer sharing tools, but they differ by system. Xbox allows a “Home Xbox” setup for sharing libraries on one console; PlayStation has “Console Sharing and Offline Play.” Both require account configuration and have limits compared to simply handing a physical disc to a friend. Xbox Home console sharing guide. https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/console/set-up-home-xbox PlayStation Console Sharing guide. https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/console-sharing-offline-play/
Tip: If swapping discs among family or friends is common for you, physical media is the simpler option.

Regional availability, pricing and restrictions

What to know: Digital stores use regional pricing, currencies, and sometimes region locks. This can affect sale timing, price, and even whether a title is available in your storefront. Check the store policies and availability for your country before assuming parity with physical releases. PlayStation Store region and account guidance. https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/the-playstation-store/
Tip: If you travel often or move between countries, understand how your account region affects purchases and subscriptions.

Hardware failure, account recovery and transfers

What to know: With digital-only, your library is tied to an account. If your console fails, you can usually re-download purchases on a replacement device after signing back in — but account security and access are critical. Keep account credentials and 2FA current. PlayStation and Xbox account support pages provide guidance for replacing or restoring access to purchases. https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/ https://support.xbox.com/
Tip: Enable two-factor authentication and keep recovery info up to date so you can restore purchases quickly on a new console.

Long-term preservation and delisting risk: games can vanish from stores

What to know: Digital storefronts sometimes delist games due to licensing or publisher decisions; once a title is removed you may not be able to repurchase it, and online services can shut down, affecting functionality. Physical copies can sometimes be a safer long-term archive. Industry coverage highlights how digital titles can disappear and what that means for ownership. (Kotaku on delistings and disappearing games) https://kotaku.com/what-happens-when-a-game-is-removed-from-a-digital-sto-1849855937
Tip: If preservation of a specific title matters (for collection or nostalgia), consider buying a physical copy where available.

Conclusion — Who should buy a digital-only console?

Consider digital-only if:
- You prefer convenience and never buy used discs.
- You have fast, uncapped internet and ample storage (or plan to expand it).
- You mainly subscribe to digital game services (Game Pass, PS Plus) and buy few physical editions.
Consider a disc-capable console if:
- You buy used, trade games, or value resale.
- You collect physical editions or share discs often.
- You have limited internet bandwidth or strict data caps.

Final checklist before you buy or upgrade

Inventory your existing physical games and extras.
Check your internet speed and monthly data cap.
Compare internal storage and expansion costs.
Review family-sharing needs and account recovery setup.
Decide whether resale/collector value or convenience matters more.