Sony Patent PS5 SSD Storage Cartridge 3D Render 1
Image: LetsGoDigital

A couple of days ago, LetsGoDigital managed to get hold of another PlayStation related patent. This time, it seems Sony has listed an interesting cartridge device, but what is this thing's purpose? We already know the PS5 will have a 4K Blu-ray drive for physical media, so what exactly this cartridge is remains a mystery. Of course, that hasn't stopped the aforementioned site from doing some theorising, and it's come up with an interesting explanation for this odd bit of hardware.

The website suggests that PS5 users will be able to use these chips to upgrade the system storage of their next-gen console. In other words, you'll be able to buy these supplementary solid state drives -- SSDs -- to increase the amount of space available for game downloads, etc. This would be similar to the way you can upgrade your PS4's hard drive, but would make the process much more streamlined. Affording a little bit of credibility to this is the description of the device found in the patent filing itself. Translated from Portuguese, the document says: "Configuration applied to / in data recording and storage equipment".

Sony Patent PS5 SSD Storage Cartridge 3D Render 2
Image: LetsGoDigital

The tech site also posits that, if Sony does make it so you can buy more storage with these SSD cartridges, the PS5 itself may only come with a modest amount of memory onboard. This could be a way for the platform holder to keep the initial cost of the PS5 to a minimum. Of course, early adopters are worried the next-gen machine will be expensive, but this method would reduce the price tag of the console itself, and make expandable storage an opt-in extra premium.

To be clear, all of this should be taken with a pinch of salt. While we think the theory is pretty solid, this is all mostly speculation from the fine folks at LetsGoDigital. It could be that the mysterious cartridge is for another purpose entirely, and that's even if it goes into production; a lot of patents never make it past this stage.

What do you think about this? Do you like the idea of upgrading your PS5's storage with these supposed SSD cartridges? Is this really what the patent is for, or will these cartridges have some other use? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

[source nl.letsgodigital.org, via nl.letsgodigital.org]