Sony's answer to climate change is PS5 Power Saver Mode: Will you sacrifice performance to save the planet?

Mint

24-07-2025

Sony has announced a new Power Saver mode coming soon to the PlayStation 5. This feature will allow the console to use less electricity by lowering performance in supported games. The move comes amid growing global attention on reducing energy consumption in the face of climate change.
Power Saver mode aims to reduce the PS5's power consumption while gaming. When turned on, the console will scale back its performance in supported titles. This means the game might run at lower frame rates or graphics quality. PlayStation VR will also be disabled in this mode. Some other gameplay features might not work, depending on the game but precise details have not been fully disclosed.
This feature is part of Sony's broader 'Road to Zero' environmental programme. The initiative was launched in 2010 and focuses on reducing the company's carbon footprint and creating more sustainable products. Lowering home console power use is one step Sony is taking toward this goal.
While the Power Saver mode will save electricity, its impact should be viewed with perspective. Gaming consoles vary widely in power consumption but many are used for several hours daily worldwide. Even a small reduction across millions of devices could add up to noticeable energy savings and fewer carbon emissions over time. Sony's move provides gamers with a choice to prioritise energy efficiency over peak performance. This approach might slowly influence consumer habits toward more sustainable use of electronics, or not - only time will tell.
On the other hand, the feature could be seen as more of a green marketing tactic than a major environmental breakthrough. Gamers generally buy a PS5 expecting high performance and visually rich experiences. The fallback of lower graphics and disabled VR might discourage widespread adoption in the future, considering that PS5 has a considerable monopoly in the console market at the moment. Also, since only supported games will use the mode, many players may never experience it or turn it on regularly.
Sony's announcement lacks detailed information on exactly how much energy will be saved in everyday use, making it hard to assess the real-world benefits. Thus, while positive, the Power Saver mode may have only limited effect unless used extensively. But at least it'll look good in their quarterly reports, right?
This feature stands out when compared with industries like smartphones and laptops, where new versions are released each year with minimal changes. That cycle fuels unnecessary consumption, resource extraction, pollution, and electronic waste. Consumers often replace fully functional devices mainly to get the 'latest model' as part of a consumerist craze. These frequent refreshes make a far larger environmental impact than modest power savings from a single product.
Sony's Power Saver mode signals a focus on extending the utility and energy efficiency of existing hardware, rather than pushing constant new purchases. Even if small, this is a more responsible approach to the life cycle of consumer electronics.