The Black PS5 is finally here — and it's cheaper than we thought

The Black PS5 is finally here — and information technology'southward cheaper than we thought

(Prototype credit: dbrand)

Earlier this calendar week we heard news that accessory-maker dbrand was preparing to give PS5 fans the black panel they've been asking about for the better part of a year. All fabricated possible thanks to the console'due south removable outside plates.

At the time the black plates weren't on sale, just things have changed. dbrand'due south Darkplates are now available to pre-order, and they're even cheaper than we were expecting.

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Previously dbrand had sent out a survey to potential customers, request them how much they'd exist willing to pay to give their PS5 a shiny matte polish. The lowest potential price for the plates themselves was $69, while the company was asking whether people felt a $15 shipping fee was reasonable.

It was shaping upward to be quite an expensive upgrade. But fortunately, things aren't quite then pricey.

The Darkplates officially cost $sixty if y'all're ownership for the PS5 Disc Edition, though they're enjoying an introductory price cut at the moment. That means they price $49, plus an boosted $5 for shipping. Sadly plates for the PS5 Digital Edition aren't available right now.

You can buy custom "Middle Skins" for both consoles, though. They are decals you lot apply to the middle of the console to mix things up, and are bachelor in seven designs. Matte blackness, neon yellow, and matte white are available as single colors, while patterned designs include robot camo, triple black, redcode, and silicon.

The skins are $19.95 on their ain, but you tin purchase one for $eleven.95 if yous bundle information technology with a pair of Darkplates. That's a lot more than the previously-touted toll of $0.69, but that's capitalism for you.

black ps5 darkplates skin — (Image credit: dbrand)

dbrand also made sure to add micro detailing to the inside of each plate, much like Sony did on the ones that come with your PS5. The only difference is the company swapped out Sony logos for its own "apocalyptic spin." dbrand claimed that this would protect it from Sony lawsuits, which led to the downfall of fellow PS5 accessory-maker PlateStation.

In fact, the company is brazenly daring Sony to effort and sue and I can't tell if that's incredibly stupid or some major-league trolling.

If you're lucky enough to have a PS5, and you want to modify up the color scheme, and then you know exactly where to go. dbrand's already sold out its starting time 3 waves of Darkplates, meaning y'all're going to take to wait until May before you can become yours. They are still available to pre-order, so be certain to get your order in at present to avoid future disappointment.

Nonetheless, these are not going to be every bit hard to come by equally an actual PS5. For starters, there are no figurer chips needed, so they're not affected past the same global chip shortage that's limiting PS5 product. Nor are the scalpers buying upwards all the Darkplates and acting like they're doing anybody a favor. Non every bit far as we know, anyway.

If you're still looking for a PS5 be certain to bank check out our guide on where to buy PS5. Competition is violent, and you take your work cut out for you, but if you're patient and stay vigilant you lot will somewhen get one for yourself. And without paying outrageous scalper prices.

Tom is the Tom'south Guide's Automotive Editor, which means he can commonly be establish knee deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. It's long fashion from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He's usually found trying to clasp another giant Lego fix onto the shelf, draining very large cups of java, or lament that Ikea won't let him purchase the stuff he actually needs online.