A new PlayStation 6 rumor has given physical media fans something to cheer about. According to a report from Insider Gaming, Sony’s next-gen console is expected to ship with support for a detachable disc drive — similar to what we’ve already seen with the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro.
The move, if accurate, signals that Sony isn’t ready to fully abandon discs, even as physical game sales continue to decline in favor of digital downloads. Sources cited in the report suggest Sony will sell the PS6 either as a standalone digital console or bundled with the disc drive, while also making the drive available as a separate purchase. Pricing details weren’t mentioned, but the model follows the template set by the PS5 refresh.
For collectors, this is significant. A detachable drive would ensure that those who have invested in a large PS5 disc library can potentially carry it forward into the PS6 era — provided Sony confirms backward compatibility. It also suggests that physical game releases aren’t going away next generation, even if they become less central to the business.
That said, physical players should expect to pay more. Sony’s strategy makes owning a disc drive optional, but it comes at an extra cost compared to going all-digital. The company’s reasoning appears to be financial as well as consumer-facing: the PS5’s detachable drive reportedly sold well, reinforcing Sony’s decision to stick with the modular approach.
The rumor hasn’t been officially confirmed, and Insider Gaming’s track record on leaks is mixed, so some skepticism is warranted. Still, it fits with Sony’s current direction — offering flexibility for both digital-first players and traditional collectors, while keeping hardware costs in check.
If the PS6 does follow this path, it raises bigger questions about Sony’s long-term digital strategy. Many players argue that PlayStation’s digital storefront needs a serious overhaul, especially when it comes to pricing, ownership clarity, and discoverability. Before going all-in on digital-only consoles, Sony may need to do more to make its online ecosystem as consumer-friendly as its hardware.
