Yahoo News PS5 stock UK - live: Today’s console restock updates plus PSVR 2 headset news
We’re now in 2022, and somehow the PlayStation 5 (PS5), which launched over a year ago in November 2020, is still difficult to buy in the UK, both online and in-store. Supply problems and a worldwide chip shortage sparked by the coronavirus pandemic have caused the production of the Sony games console to slow to a crawl.
But if it’s your New Year’s resolution to finally get your hands on one, fear not, because the IndyBest team is here to help. December was the best month for restocks on record, with several restocks taking place at Smyths Toys, Currys, PlayStation Direct, ShopTo, Very, Littlewoods, Game, Studio, Argos, EE, BT, Asda, AO, John Lewis & Partners and Amazon – although it remains to be seen if this trend will continue into January. The month has so far been very quiet, with no console restocks to speak of. But with the Christmas break only just behind us, we’re giving retailers the benefits of the doubt and hoping for bigger and better things as January progresses.
Our liveblog is on hand to give you the latest insight on restocks from all major UK retailers, both online and in-store, as well as providing details on rumoured releases, plus the latest PS5 games and accessories to snap up. Keep scrolling for the latest intel.
Read more:
Check stock from UK PS5 retailers below:
Key Points
Sony confirms PlayStation VR2 name for new virtual reality headset
When to expect new PS5 stock at Smyths Toys
The best tech deals in the January 2022 sales
Can you buy a PS5 directly from Sony?
Read our review of the new Nintendo Switch OLED
16:02 , Alistair Charlton
If handheld gaming is more your thing then check out our review of the new Nintendo Switch OLED. The console features an OLED display for the first time, which is larger than before and produces punchier colours and deeper blacks. There’s also a redesigned kickstand and double the internal storage of its predecessor.
Our reviewer said of the £309.99 console: “The larger display is fantastic and playing games in handheld mode is an absolute joy. The kickstand feels so solid and makes us never want to look at that little toggle on the back of the original Switch ever again...this is absolutely the best version of the console yet.”
Nintendo Switch OLED review: The best version of the console yet
How to buy an Xbox series X
15:02 , Alistair Charlton
The Xbox series X is just as hard to buy as the PS5. In fact, in recent weeks restocks of the Microsoft console have been even rarer. Thankfully, the IndyBest team is on hand, with a live blog bringing you all of the latest news on Xbox restocks right across the UK.
If you’re in the market for an Xbox series X, head over to our live blog for your best chance of securing a console. As ever, the cheaper, smaller and less powerful Xbox series S is in stock at Game, Very, Argos and most other retailers, ready to buy right now.
How to get a PS5 voucher code from BT
14:28 , Alistair Charlton
BT is giving its customers a helping hand when it comes to securing a PS5. Instead of throwing open the virtual doors and dealing with a stampede like other retailers, BT sends out unique voucher codes to its customers.
If you are a BT TV customer, for example, or subscribe to BT Sport, you can apply to receive a PS5 voucher code. These are emailed out sporadically and can be used to access a PS5 next time the BT store has a restock. You still have to pay the regular price, of course, but this system is a neat way of rewarding BT customers and giving them a better chance of securing a console.
Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter
14:03 , Alistair Charlton
Have we helped you get a PS5? Want more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the free IndyBest newsletter, where you can access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products chosen by IndyBest experts.
Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by pros in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.
Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now. You won’t regret it.
PS5 storage expansion
13:30 , Alistair Charlton
Finally! Sony is now letting gamers expand their PlayStation 5’s internal storage with the installation of an M.2 SSD. If you’re looking to expand your PS5’s storage, then we recommend the Seagate firecuda 530, which comes with a heatsink. It costs £175 (Currys.co.uk).
“A cooling structure, like a heatsink, is something all PS5-compatible SSDs require in order to work correctly, and it’s nice that you don’t have to do a hatchet jot of installing your own with this Seagate model,” our writer said in their review. “The firecuda 530 lets you conveniently download, copy and launch PS5 and PS4 games straight from the internal storage, as well as media apps like Plex. Transfer speeds are blazing fast as well, with Seagate saying that it delivers speeds of up to 7,000MB/s.”
How big is the PS5?
13:00 , Alistair Charlton
Not as strange a question as you might think, because the PS5 is massive. It’s often an easy joke to say how big the next generation of game consoles are, ever since the chunky original Xbox arrived, followed by the even bigger PS4.
But, while the Xbox series X is also rather large, it’s the PS5 that is least likely to fit under your television. The digital edition is slightly slimmer, due to not having a disc drive, but both consoles are equally tall when stood on end.
They are 390mm tall and 260mm deep, while the disc edition is 104mm thick and the digital edition is 92mm. Both consoles are intended to be stood upright, but also come with a plastic stand to help them rest on their side – likely the only way most buyers will fit the console under their TV.
What’s the difference between the two models of PS5?
12:30 , Alistair Charlton
Sony sells two versions of the PS5. These are known as the disc edition and the digital edition. They have the same performance, design and technical specifications, but the digital edition does not have a disc drive. This means games can only be played by downloading them, and obviously there’s no way to play DVDs or Blu-ray movies.
The digital edition is also cheaper, at £359.99 compared to £449.99 for the disc edition.
Can you get a VPN on the PS5?
12:00 , Alistair Charlton
While Sony doesn’t allow any VPN apps like NordVPN or ExpressVPN to be downloaded from the PlayStation Store (VPNs aren’t supported on the platform at all), there’s still a way to use a VPN on the PS5 if you want to stream geo-restricted content.
We’d recommend getting a VPN which has the Smart DNS feature. It’s a service provided by a number of VPN firms, including NordVPN, allowing you to spoof your location on devices that don’t have VPN support. You can read our round-up of the best VPNs for more information.
How to find the best deals in the 2022 January sales
11:30 , Alistair Charlton
It’s the start of a new year and that means one thing – the January sales. They are as big as ever for 2022, with money to be saved at retailers including John Lewis & Partners, Boots, Currys, Asos, Very and Argos. If you’re looking to ease those January blues with a spot of retail therapy, we’ve got the pick of the best deals on everything from a new mattress, pair of headphones and Nintendo Switch consoles to make-up and trainers.
Head over to our live blog for all of the biggest and best deals in the 2022 January sales.
The January sales are still going strong – follow live for the best deals
The best 4K TV for your new PS5
11:00 , Alistair Charlton
While we wait for the next PS5 restock, it’s time to think about upgrading your television. The PS5 outputs video at 4K resolution and can even handle games running at 120 frames per second. That’s something not all TVs can manage, so if you want to see your new console running at its best, a new TV could be worthwhile.
We’ve rounded up nine of the best 4K TVs available right now, from manufacturers including Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic, among others. And the great news is you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great 4K television – prices of our favourites start at under £400.
9 best 4K TVs for needle-sharp viewing
Will John Lewis have a restock again soon?
10:45 , Alistair Charlton
Honestly, we wouldn’t bet on it. John Lewis might be great for luxury bedding and smart kitchenware, but the retailer hasn’t shown much interest in stocking the PlayStation 5. We saw just one restock on the JL website in October, followed by one in November and, you guessed it, a single restock last month too, on 29 December.
The best tech deals in the January 2022 sales
10:25 , Alistair Charlton
It’s the start of a new year and that means the January sales are in full swing. We’ve got a live blog covering all of the best deals as soon as they arrive, and for technology shoppers we’ve an article dedicated to tech deals too.
Much like Black Friday, you can currently bag a bargain on popular products like the Nintendo Switch, plus everything from TVs, games and smart speakers to vacuum cleaners and plenty more besides.
All the best tech deals in the January sales, from AirPods to new Xbox games
When did Currys last have a PS5 restock?
09:50 , Alistair Charlton
Currys is one of several shops that treated shoppers to multiple PS5 restocks through December. Consoles were available from the electronics retailer on 2,7, 14, 17, 21, 22, 24 and 28 December, giving gamers plenty of opportunities to grab a PS5.
After such a busy month it shouldn’t be surprising to see Currys out of PS5 stock for now. We hope this changes again soon, but for now there’s no indication as to when that might be.
Can you buy a PS5 directly from Sony?
09:35 , Alistair Charlton
Yes, you can. Sony launched its PlayStation Direct online store in the UK late last year. But – surprise, surprise – there’s currently no PS5 stock available. There is no word on when fresh stock will arrive, but we’re hoping it won’t be too long, especially as consoles haven’t been available from PS Direct since 16 December.
How to buy a PS5 on the high street
09:20 , Alistair Charlton
The PS5 is sold out everywhere online at the moment, and there isn’t much stock in physical stores either. But there are a couple of things you can do to improve your odds of spotting a PS5 in the wild. First is Game, whose shops all have their own Twitter accounts, and these are often used to share news about console stock. This Twitter list shows all tweets from all Game stores across the UK, so keep an eye on that link for news on PS5s hitting the shelves.
Your other option is to visit the Smyths Toys website, where there’s a tool for checking console stock at all stores. Sadly there are no consoles listed there for now, but this tool does get updated, even when a single console is available in one shop, so it’s worth keeping an eye on.
When to expect new PS5 stock at Smyths Toys
09:05 , Alistair Charlton
The Smyths Toys website is usually quite good at predicting when new PS5 stock is due to arrive. But things have been somewhat vague since the new year. Instead of saying stock will arrive later in the current month, as it has always done, the site now just says: “Out of stock. Expected in stock: TBC 2022”.
Told you it was vague. We’re hoping this is just a new year hangover and the website hasn’t yet been updated to account for stock coming later in January. At least we hope that’s the situation.
Can you play PS4 games on PS5?
08:50 , Alistair Charlton
You sure can! The overwhelming majority of the PS4 games you own are playable on the PS5. You’ll be able to download any games you bought through the PlayStation store on your PS4 and play them on the next-gen console.
If you’ve got the disc edition of the PS5, you’ll also be able to insert your PS4 discs into it and play them that way, too. Obviously, because there’s no physical disc slot on the digital edition of the console, you won’t be able to play any PS4 discs you own. We’ve compiled together a list of our favourite PS4 games, and most of them have dropped in price since the PS5 came out.
Have there been any PS5 restocks in 2022?
08:36 , Alistair Charlton
Not yet, no. It’s been a slow start to the year, as far as PS5 restocks are concerned. We’re not too surprised by this, given just how many restocks took place towards the end of December. It was a bumper month, and arguably the best yet in the PS5’s 14-month existence, with stock landing at Smyths Toys, Currys, PlayStation Direct, ShopTo, Very, Littlewoods, Game, Studio, Argos, EE, BT, Asda, AO, John Lewis & Partners and Amazon.
But try not to lose hope, because we’re sure more consoles will be along soon. If December taught us anything it’s that the global production bottlenecks slowing PS5 stock seem to be loosening, and consoles should begin to arrive with retailers with more regularity through 2022.
Sony confirms PlayStation VR2 name for new virtual reality headset
08:29 , Alistair Charlton
We start today with news from Las Vegas, where the CES tech show is taking place and Sony has announced the name of its next-generation virtual reality headset for the PS5. Called the PlayStation VR2, the headset has 4K graphics with HDR, a 110-degree field-of-view and an OLED display with a resolution of 2000 x 2040 per eye. Frame rates of up to 120Hz promise smooth visuals, too.
Integrated cameras track your movement and your relative position to your environment, and there’s also eye tracking, headset feedback (yes, haptic feedback in the headset itself), 3D audio, and a new PS VR2 sense controller promising deeper immersion.
Sony also announced an exclusive game for the VR headset, called Horizon Call of the Mountain. Sadly there’s no news yet on when the game or the new headset will be available, or what the price will be.
Sony announces PlayStation VR2 and its first game
Good morning!
08:13 , Alistair Charlton
Good morning and welcome back to the PS5 restocking live blog. As we stumble through the first week of the year, still not entirely sure what day it is, all is quiet on the PS5 front. We’ve not seen any restocks at UK retailers so far this month, but there’s still plenty of time for that to change. As ever, stay tuned to this blog for the very latest news on how to buy a PS5 console, for the regular retail price, in the UK.
