80GB PS3 confirmed ... in Korea, at least
by Nick Doerr 
{ May 21st 2007 at 1:30PM }
A while back we talked about the upcoming launch of the PlayStation 3 in Korea. At the time, there were still undisclosed details and an uncertain price point -- let alone the lack of a 20GB model at launch. Now we know why. See, you can always go to other sites to just get a piece of news here and there, but at PS3 Fanboy, we follow a string that connects pieces of news together. This is one such thread. Our logic is not unflawless, after all.It turns out those rumors of an 80GB model of the PS3 have come true. At least, in Korea. Upon the launch in mid-June, in addition to the 60GB model, there will be the option to purchase the 80GB model (it doesn't have the Emotion Engine thingy in it, it should be noted). The 80GB model will be sold for approximately 518,000 won (about $573). Is this fair to assume, then, that the 60GB model would come at a cheaper price? Would that portend a price cut for the rest of the world if the Korean launch proves successful? How about the launch of the 80GB PS3 worldwide? We don't know. We'll see.
[Thanks, SPG!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rfom @ May 21st 2007 1:45PM
Whats the point of that extra 20GB? Especially as Sony allows you to put in your own hard disc, so just take a 60GB and replace that with a 300GB monster if you need too much space
Drdre74 @ May 21st 2007 1:44PM
Maybe I need to hold out a little longer on getting my ps3 now. See if by the end of summer this hits the states. Is it true that you can change out the HD pretty easy in the PS3 with any HD you can by at the stores?
Mike @ May 21st 2007 1:45PM
This is totally ignorant!
I am a true fanboy and I am enjoying my PS3 and Blu-Ray. I truly have some doubts with plan. If you're already losing $, why you make another console to lose even more $ with. I thought it was dumb to have the 20GB SKU but know i think they should of at least kept that if they wanted another SKU. Its like their ok with losing $...
From Day 1, they should of ONLY have the 60GB (or have the 20GB only available on SonyStyle) and priced it at $500. I thought they would of learned after that and Micro$oft's mistake. Obviously, I was wrong!
I got excited for Sony's plans for this year after GDC but now, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE DOING!!!
Man, I've always backed up Sony and the PS3 for some time now. But now, I don't know what to say or do...
TheGuy @ May 21st 2007 1:53PM
If the switch to a 80GB HDD was made because it is cheaper to buy for Sony than the 60GB HDD, then it should be made available worldwide eventually. My guess is that they'll release this SKU at the same price as the 60GB model, and drop the 60GB SKU price by $50 to sell the rest of their stock so it can be phased-out with the 80GB model. Let's just hope the price cut comes before the holidays.
Mike @ May 21st 2007 1:58PM
I just read on another website that Sony is ONLY releasing the 80GB and that has IPtv because IPtv is very popular in Korea.
Maybe they DO know what they are doing!
Like I said in #2, I've always backed up Sony, hopefully, they DO know what they are doing.
Hyper C @ May 21st 2007 2:01PM
I don't understand why everyone cares about a PS3 price cut. I live in Canada and even if Sony dropped the price point down to the level of the 360 Elite it would still cost me $560 plus tax. Add in VF5 ($69.99), an extra controller ($69.99) and some Tekken:DR love ($24.99), I'm either way going to be dropping a grand.
Does a $75 (optimistic) price cut really throw people over the fence to buy a PS3? And if so why? In the end it's not the price of the PS3 that matters, current gen is gonna cost a pretty penny either way. It's games, games and more games that should be pushing people over the 360/PS3 fence, not a marginal price cut. These people should be glad they have no interest in PC gaming, then they would see how much keeping up with current gen really costs.
daniel. @ May 21st 2007 3:09PM
if one owns an hdtv, bluray videos, a 7.1 surround system...
the ps3 justifies its price.
i havent heard someone who owns one say that it wasnt worth how much they paid. and ill stand up for the price anyday. i know costs are being cut, and it will happen soon, seeing as how pioneer just put out a bluray player for $599US. diodes are getting cheaper.
@drdre74
yes, it is super easy to swap out the HD that is in there. my recommendation is to grab one soon, BEFORE that 80gb comes... if you want top notch backwards compatibility. i lived in fear that they would lose the emotion engine.
dalecooper @ May 21st 2007 4:36PM
Haha. The Sony Elite huh?
Shaun @ May 21st 2007 3:23PM
Gamespot posted this story first and they are also did their money converter a little better. The 80GB system is gonna cost about $558, which is about 20 dollars cheaper then what your story says. Just thought I'd let you know.
John @ May 21st 2007 3:32PM
The 60GB is not available in Korea, only the 80. No 20. And it DOES have the emotion thingy: it's emulated in software, just like the Euro versions.
vizunary @ May 21st 2007 4:16PM
I think that this is most likely the new mass production model, using the imported cell chips and whatnot. That would easily explain the cheaper price which will also bleed over to the rest of the world eventually. I also think that ONLY the 80gig is available, no 20 or 60. Going to only 1 sku will further reduce price(I'm talking production costs here). I for one am glad that I have an original, with the EE and PSX chipsets, made in JAPAN