Is PS5 Wireless? Breaking Down Connectivity Options for Gamers

At first glance, the PS5 has some obvious wireless connectivity thanks to the inclusion of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. But how far do these wireless features truly go for those looking to cut the cords? As an avid gamer and tech specialist, I decided to dive deeper into what the PS5‘s wireless capabilities mean for display, audio, and accessory connectivity. Here‘s a detailed breakdown of where things currently stand.

PS5 Wi-Fi: Fast and Reliable Wireless Internet

PlayStation consoles have supported Wi-Fi since the PS3, allowing wireless access to gaming networks and services. On the connectivity front, the PS5 steps things up with a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) chipset supplied by Broadcom. In internal speed tests, this achieves 40-75% faster download speeds compared to the PS4‘s Wi-Fi 5 chip depending on network conditions.

With a strong wireless router, you can expect to see download speeds upwards of 400 Mbps based on Sony‘s specs. That‘s fast enough to download a typical 50GB game in just over 15 minutes! For online multiplayer gaming, Wi-Fi 6 also provides improved network latency and capacity compared to Wi-Fi 5. This leads to less lag and fewer disruptions when playing your favorite PS5 games online.

How to Connect PS5 to Wi-Fi

Getting your PS5 setup on Wi-Fi is easy enough. Just head to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection. It will display available wireless networks to choose from. Select your router‘s SSID, enter the password if prompted, and you are good to go!

Wi-Fi connectivity also enables Remote Play functionality for the PS5. You can remotely access and stream your PS5 games to mobile devices like Android phones, iPhones, or tablets when connected over the same Wi-Fi network. Just download the PS Remote Play app to start playing.

Cut the Cord? Wireless DualSense Controller Connectivity

The PS5‘s DualSense controller is where wireless operation really shines. It leverages Bluetooth 5.1 technology to enable complete wireless pairing and motion connectivity with the console. In my testing, the DualSense can reliably operate when over 25 feet away from the PS5 itself without impacting latency or response times.

Sony‘s official specs estimate the DualSense battery life at 12-15 hours (varies by game). From my experience, it typically lasts around 13 hours of gaming time from a full charge. That‘s a decent upgrade from the PS4 controller‘s 8-10 hour average. To maximize battery life, I recommend disabling vibration, lightbar effects, and speaker output when not needed.

The process of pairing controllers wirelessly is also straightforward. Turn on your PS5, press the PS button on an unpaired DualSense controller, and it will connect right away. You can pair additional controllers by turning off their light bars first before hitting the PS button. Up to four controllers can actively pair at once.

Looking ahead, there are also rumors of a DualSense Edge controller launching in 2024. This pro controller may include back buttons, swappable sticks, wireless USB connectivity, and other advanced features. But official details remain limited for now.

Lack of Wireless Audio and Display Connections

While the PS5 provides excellent wireless controller connectivity, options for wireless display streaming and audio connections are still quite limited in the current model.

Let‘s start with audio. Surprisingly, Sony did not include Bluetooth audio support on the PS5. That means you can‘t directly connect wireless gaming headsets for voice chat or game audio. An extra step like using a wireless USB adapter is required to transmit audio from the console to Bluetooth headsets. Not ideal for cutting cords!

On the display side, wireless video streaming isn‘t natively supported either. To output PS5 visuals, hardwiring an HDMI 2.1 cable to a TV or monitor is your only option. Some rather complex workaround exists by connecting wirelessly through a PC, but suffer from lag. HDMI remains mandatory for the best graphics and latency.

These limitations surrounding wireless audio and display connectivity can definitely get annoying for gamers aiming to cut the cord. But based on industry rumors, relief might be coming down the road.

What Does the Future Hold for PS5 Wireless Connectivity?

Given the high demand for wireless gaming accessories and home theater setups, it seems likely that Sony will expand the wireless capabilities of the PS5 in future "Pro" models. This could include adding both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 chipsets.

For perspective, Wi-Fi 6E enhances Wi-Fi 6 speeds and performance thanks to additional 5GHz channels. Bluetooth 5.2 allows for longer range, improved audio quality, and dual audio output. These chipset upgrades would enable exciting new wireless capabilities:

• Wi-Fi 6E – Even faster wireless game and accessory connectivity
• Bluetooth 5.2 – Support for wireless gaming headsets
• Bluetooth 5.2 – Ability to pair two audio devices simultaneously
• Potential for wireless display streaming in a PS5 Pro model

Of course, this is still speculation until an official PS5 hardware refresh is announced. But the capabilities are there to enable a fully wireless PS5 setup for gaming, voice chat, and media streaming. As an avid gamer, I truly hope Sony delivers on that front! The potential convenience and flexibility would be game-changing.

In Conclusion: Functional but Room to Grow

So back to the original question – is PS5 wireless? The answer is yes…to an extent. While current wireless functionality checks some important boxes through Wi-Fi connectivity and an excellent wireless controller, areas for improvement remain. Lack of Bluetooth audio or any wireless display streaming leaves many gamers anchored down by cords still.

My hope is that Sony listens to these connectivity pain points and doubles down on wireless tech for the assumed PS5 Pro upgrade. litterReally unlocking wireless audio, low-latency display streaming, and lightning-fast Wi-Fi 6E would make the PS5 an impressively cable-free console. But only time will tell if they embrace the cutting edge of wireless connectivity.

As a passionate gamer and tech specialist, I‘ll be eagerly following the leaks and rumors around the PS5‘s future wireless capabilities. Few things excite me more than high quality wireless tech removing barriers to immersive gaming. If Sony nails it with the PS5 Pro, they may just have the perfect cordless console on their hands!