PlayStation has a crop of recent {hardware} launching in 2026. No, sadly I don’t have something to inform you in regards to the PS6, however I lately had the possibility to go to PlayStation HQ and go hands-on with a slate of upcoming PlayStation equipment, the FlexStrike wi-fi fightstick, the Pulse Elevate wi-fi audio system, and the primary official PlayStation-branded gaming monitor.
Let’s dive proper in with the FlexStrike wi-fi combat stick. Now, I’ll say proper off the bat that I’m not a hardcore preventing recreation fanatic, however that’s truly the sort of person who PlayStation is focusing on with the FlexStrike. Sony reps advised me that they constructed the FlexStrike for the sort of participant who’s all in favour of leveling up their preventing recreation expertise and graduating from taking part in with a DualSense controller, versus individuals who have already got a favourite fightstick.
That makes quite a lot of sense, as a result of “wi-fi” is virtually sacrilege on the subject of FGC fanatics. Now earlier than you freak out, let me make it clear that the FlexStrike can be used with an optionally available wired connection, however having the ability to play wi-fi provides a pleasant little bit of freedom for players who’re simply taking part in at dwelling on the sofa and don’t essentially want absolutely the tip-top speeds of a wired connection. Even so, wi-fi is dealt with through a PlayStation Hyperlink dongle that may help two FlexStrikes without delay, and there was no perceptible latency throughout my hands-on.
This ethos carries by way of to the design of the FlexStrike as properly. It has the identical black and white coloration palette and smooth, futuristic look because the PS5 and DualSense controller. It’s additionally light-weight and pretty skinny in comparison with the handful of fightsticks that I’ve used previously. This isn’t a cumbersome field – it feels extra like a MacBook sitting in your lap, with a pleasant textured grip pad on the underside and a cushty slope to the button pad space that aids in ergonomics.
The buttons use proprietary mechanical switches, however they don’t have a lot of an audible click on when pressed. The stick then again has a satisfying audible click on when actuated. The balltop is unscrewable for folk who wish to use a special topper, whereas the underside of the FlexStrike has an interchangeable restrictor gate that permits you to swap between a sq., octagon, and circle. We weren’t allowed to movie this backside part, however the FlexStrike’s backside panel hinges open and has spots beneath to retailer the spare restrictor gates in addition to the PlayStation Hyperlink USB dongle.
The FlexStrike can absolutely operate as a normal PS5 controller – although good luck taking part in Elden Ring with it – up prime are all of your conventional menu buttons, a touchpad, and a swap that swaps the stick between controlling left and proper thumbstick inputs or the D-Pad. There’s additionally a lock button that units the controller to event mode and prevents you from by chance pausing or opening the menu throughout a match.
And, bonus, the FlexStrike comes with a padded carrying case that may be configured as a backpack or sling bag. The case has storage areas for the included USB cable, in addition to a pleasant padded properly to guard the stick.
All advised it’s a beautiful fightstick that I feel completely achieves the goal PlayStation goes for. I’m not sufficient of a preventing recreation authority to weigh in if the FlexStrike will sway fanatics away from their present favourite fightstick, however for many who wish to transfer up from taking part in on controller, it’s a compelling possibility. That’s doubly true for those who’re primarily a PS5 participant – the FlexStrike is appropriate with PC as properly – each wired and wirelessly – however its PlayStation aesthetic makes it a pure selection for players in Sony’s ecosystem. Critically, it achieves this objective with out sacrificing on high-end options that may make it incompatible with hardcore FGC gamers.
The FlexStrike launches on August 6, the identical day as Marvel Tokon: Preventing Souls, for $199.99. Pre-orders start on June 12.
PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor
Up subsequent we’ve got the primary gaming monitor constructed particularly to be used with the PS5. As a recreation console, most individuals affiliate the PS5 with a TV and sofa kind lounge setup, nevertheless it additionally works nice paired with a gaming monitor at a desk. That’s the place the PlayStation 27” Gaming Monitor is available in. It’s pretty run-of-the-mill so far as gaming displays go: it has a 1440p decision IPS show with a 240hz refresh price and help for HDR and VRR. What makes it fascinating is a built-in charging hook the place you may stow a DualSense controller.
I do nearly all of my gaming from my desk, each with controller and mouse and keyboard, and my controller floated nebulously on my desk till I invested in a charging dock and gave it a correct dwelling. The charging hook solves that drawback whereas additionally releasing up desk house, making it a simple suggestion for anybody trying to construct a PS5 desk setup. Conveniently, the hook can fold up behind the monitor if you’d like it out of the best way when not in use.
Past the charging hook, one other PS5-minded design selection is the inclusion of two HDMI 2.1 ports along with a DisplayPort 1.4 enter. PS5 makes use of HDMI, whereas most fashionable graphics playing cards provide each HDMI and DisplayPort. This implies you may join the monitor to each your PS5 and PC through HDMI if you’d like, as a substitute of limiting your PC to the DisplayPort connection.
Spec-wise, the monitor is nothing particular, nevertheless it’s price noting that the specs do match the PS5 properly. Whereas most TVs nowadays run at 4K, the PS5 is completely able to outputting at 1440p – and actually doing so means that you could extra simply hit larger framerates, even whereas prioritizing picture high quality. It’s price noting that whereas the monitor is able to as much as a 240hz refresh price, that’s just for PC. The PS5 itself caps out at 120hz.
That stated, the specs discovered within the PlayStation monitor will sometimes run you round $200, whereas that is priced at $349.99. There’s positively a novel profit to the built-in charging hook, and doubly so if you’d like a monitor that aesthetically matches the PS5. Simply know that you simply’re paying a little bit of premium for these distinctive options. The monitor will launch on August 27, with pre-orders beginning on June 5.
Pulse Elevate Audio system
The ultimate cease on our {hardware} tour is the upcoming Pulse Elevate wi-fi audio system. PlayStation advised me the objective for these was to offer the sound high quality and options of utilizing a gaming headset, however with out, properly, the headset. The Pulse Elevate have a couple of methods to attain that objective.
Just like the latest Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Discover earbuds, the Pulse Elevate audio system use PlayStation Hyperlink, Sony’s proprietary low-latency lossless wi-fi audio tech. Whereas the audio system seem like wired at first look, the wire truly solely connects to their charging puck, which the audio system sit atop through a cute nesting design. This implies that you could simply reposition the audio system if their perfect sound place isn’t a spot the place you need them sitting on a regular basis.
The audio system have planar magnetic drivers and a built-in woofer to offer highly effective sound throughout the audio spectrum. I performed a couple of minutes of Ghost of Yotei and Saros, and was impressed by each the quantity and readability the audio system had been able to. Directional audio was additionally not an issue – they’ve PlayStation’s tempest 3D audio tech inbuilt, and I had no drawback listening to directional audio cues in Saros, simply as if I used to be carrying a gaming headset.
Past sound output, the Pulse Elevate even have a built-in microphone and might operate as a mic for voice chat and cellphone calls. Critically, the audio system have an AI-enhanced noise rejection system that helps decide up your voice even whereas music or recreation audio is blaring loudly. In my demo, a PlayStation rep recorded a sound clip whereas music was taking part in so loudly that I may barely hear what he stated, and once we listened again the audio was crisp and clear, with no proof that music had been taking part in whereas it was recorded. Critically spectacular stuff.
The Pulse Elevate audio system will are available in black and white colorways, however pricing and launch date are but to be introduced.