Photo Credit: Akhil Arora/Gadgets 360
PlayStation 5 is back. Today at 12pm noon, both variants of Sony's next-gen console — the Rs. 49,990 Blu-ray-equipped PS5, and its Rs. 39,990 disc-less counterpart PS5 Digital Edition — will go up for sale again in India. All of Amazon, Croma, Flipkart, Games The Shop, Prepaid Gamer Card, Reliance Digital, Sony Center, and Vijay Sales will be involved — and unlike last time, when PS5 Digital Edition was exclusive to Sony Center, it will now be available everywhere. That would suggest there's more stock of the digital-only cousin than we had in May, but it's also split across retailers so it still might not last very long. Of course, there are bigger hassles, be it several sites being repeatedly unable to handle the load (hi, Croma, Games The Shop, and Prepaid Gamer Card), or pre-orders being cancelled afterwards (hello, Flipkart and Reliance Digital).
Thankfully, the biggest worry of all — the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — should be less of an issue for most folks this time. With India slowly emerging out of the debilitating second coronavirus wave, most states have lifted delivery restrictions on non-essential items. Still, all online PlayStation 5 retailers note that deliveries are based on local guidelines, with Sony Center website ShopAtSC explicitly saying as much: “We intend to deliver your allocated stocks around 3rd July, 2021 and onwards — however please expect a delay in our delivery services which might get impacted due to regulations imposed by lockdown/ curfew in your locations.” I would expect Amazon, Croma, Flipkart, Games The Shop, Prepaid Gamer Card, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales to ship PS5 pre-orders from Saturday, July 3 as well.
The June PlayStation 5 restock is big for fans of the PS5 Digital Edition, as this is the only second time that the console will be made available in India. Then again, the situation hasn't been much better for those wanting the Blu-ray option, with Wednesday's pre-orders being the fourth official PS5 restock in India.
PlayStation 5 Review: New Era, Half Jump
Sony India's retail shops Sony Center have their own website through which you can buy the PlayStation 5. ShopAtSC offers free home delivery from the nearest Sony Center, but you can also choose to pick up from the nearest store from July 3 onward. If they are open, naturally.
You will need an account to buy the PS5 from ShopAtSC. Create one in advance to speed up checkout. If you previously bought a PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition, you won't be able to buy another from the same account, ShopAtSC says. The site does have a notify me button in case you want to set that up.
ShopAtSC offers low-cost EMI on select credit cards, and easy EMI options on most debit and credit cards.
Buy PlayStation 5 at ShopAtSC
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at ShopAtSC
The PS5 restock is also available on Amazon's India affiliate, which will offer free home delivery across India. You don't need to be an Amazon Prime member to get free delivery.
You will need an account to buy the PS5 from Amazon. Create one in advance to speed up checkout.
Amazon offers no-cost EMI on HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI Bank cards, and easy EMI options on most debit and credit cards.
Buy PlayStation 5 at Amazon India
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at Amazon India
Walmart-owned Flipkart also has PlayStation 5 and PS5 Digital Edition restocked for pre-order in India. It will also offer free home delivery across India.
It's worth noting that Flipkart has had trouble servicing both PS5 and Xbox Series X pre-orders in the past, with customers claiming they were bullied by Flipkart Support to cancel their orders.
You will need an account to buy the PS5 from Flipkart. Create one in advance to speed up checkout.
Flipkart offers easy EMI options on most debit and credit cards. You can avail 5 percent unlimited cashback on Flipkart Axis Bank credit cards, 10 percent off up to Rs. 1,750 on EMI transactions with HDFC Bank debit and credit cards, or 10 percent off up to Rs. 1,250 on HDFC Bank credit card transactions.
Buy PlayStation 5 at Flipkart
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at Flipkart
Tata-owned Croma will also offer the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition online. Its stores are now open in most places, but PlayStation 5 can only be pre-ordered on its website. Free home delivery will be available for every order.
You will need an account to buy the PS5 from Croma. Create one in advance to speed up checkout.
Croma offers easy EMI options on most credit cards. You can avail 5 percent cashback on Standard Chartered Bank cards, flat Rs. 1,500 cashback on EMI transactions with Yes Bank credit cards, or a Croma gift card worth 5 percent up to Rs. 1,000 on credit and debit card transactions.
Buy PlayStation 5 at Croma
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at Croma
Mumbai-headquartered Vijay Sales is also offering the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition on its website. Like Croma, its stores have opened up across India. It too will offer free home delivery on every purchase.
You do not need an account to buy the PS5 from Vijay Sales, but you will need to provide your mobile number and email address as a guest.
Vijay Sales offers easy EMI options on HDFC Bank debit cards and select credit cards. You can also earn Rs. 375/ Rs. 300 as part of the complimentary MYVS Rewards programme.
Buy PlayStation 5 at Vijay Sales
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at Vijay Sales
Mukesh Ambani-run Reliance Digital will also offer the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition in India. All orders will qualify for free home delivery.
It's worth noting that Reliance Digital had trouble servicing both PS5 and Xbox Series X pre-orders, going so far to cancel many orders because it had overbooked.
You will need an account to buy the PS5 from Reliance Digital. Create one in advance to speed up checkout.
Buy PlayStation 5 at Reliance Digital
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at Reliance Digital
Bengaluru-based online games store Prepaid Gamer Card also has the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition back in stock. It too offers free home delivery everywhere in India if deliveries are available.
Be warned, Prepaid Gamer Card has a habit of taking bundling to insane lengths. In May, it forced customers to buy half a dozen games and accessories along with their PlayStation 5, with the total going over Rs. 85,000. The PS5 costs Rs. 49,990 on its own.
You don't need an account to buy the PS5 from Prepaid Gamer Card. But the website will create one for you during the checkout process, so you might as well have one. You will naturally need to provide an email address as well if you don't already an account.
Buy PlayStation 5 at Prepaid Gamer Card
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at Prepaid Gamer Card
Dedicated games store Games The Shop will let you pre-order the PS5, replete with free home delivery across India. If its website manages to stay up, that is.
You do not need an account to buy the PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition from Games The Shop, but you will need to provide an email address. It too has a notify me button for stock availability.
Buy PlayStation 5 at Games The Shop
Buy PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at Games The Shop
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Which is the best "next-gen" console in India? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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