The second major system update for the PS5 was released today worldwide, adding a wealth of new features to the console. The main new feature is the ability to upgrade the console's internal storage, but this system update also adds a few UI improvements and a few small but welcome tweaks.

A full list of new features can be found on the PlayStation Blog, but the ability to upgrade the console's default 825GB of internal storage is definitely the most notable. This update finally frees up the PS5's previously dormant expansion slots to add a PCle 4.0 M.2 SSD.

The console utilizes some clever technology to allow the stock 825GB SSD to expand quite a bit, but being able to add a second fully functional internal drive to the console is a big deal. Of course, you can't just shove any drive into the console. You need to make sure that the SSD you add meets Sony's fairly stringent benchmarks.

These requirements include storage sizes that fall between 250GB and 4TB, read speeds of at least 5500MB/sec, and a strong recommendation to Sony to install heat sinks on the SSDs to avoid the console getting dangerously hot. western Hard drive manufacturers such as Digital and Samsung have already announced compatible drives, but the 1TB WD Black SN850 SSD is arguably one of the more expensive, priced at around $250.

This latest PS5 system update has been available in beta since late July, meaning that some users have already tried out all the new features, including the SSD expansion Tom's Guide was fortunate enough to gain access to the beta version and add an SSD to the PS5 and was able to experience firsthand what it is all about.

The procedure is a bit complicated and requires familiarization with the drivers, but it only takes a few minutes. Once installed, adding an SSD to the console will allow the user to store dozens of PS5-native games at once. And you won't have to worry about free space to store games with bloated file sizes, such as "Call of Duty Vanguard."

If you are put off by the high price of a compatible M.2 SSD, you can still save your PS5 games using a standard external HDD hard drive. This feature was added in the first PS5 system update in April, but differs significantly in that games stored on an external HDD cannot be played directly from that drive. Adding an additional internal SSD removes this limitation.

The ability to add additional internal storage capacity is not the only new feature added in the latest PS5 system update. In fact, this software patch also includes several smaller improvements that will make a big difference in the overall PS5 user experience.

The update fixes one of the console's most annoying problems: the PS5's UI now clearly distinguishes between native next-generation games and PS4 titles played through backward compatibility mode. To some people, this may not sound like much of an upgrade. However, anyone who has ever accidentally downloaded a PS4 game instead of a PS5 version will appreciate this adjustment: PS5 games are now labeled white and PS4 games are labeled black, making it virtually impossible to confuse the two.

This system update includes a major overhaul of the PlayStation Trophy system to make tracking achievements easier, further customization of the Control Center, 3D audio support for the TV's built-in speakers, PS5 games to mobile devices, and It also includes expanded remote play functionality for streaming PS5 games to mobile devices.

Overall, this is a pretty significant update. It's a much-needed addition to the console almost a year after its launch, and with file sizes for flagship games often exceeding 100 GB, the small additions are not to be overlooked. It's great to see Sony continuing to improve the feature set and UI of the console to make the gaming experience on the PS5 more streamlined.

With all these new features and a list of the PS5's best games taking shape now that the console has been on the market for quite some time, it may finally be time to look for a PS5 restock.