Knowing the HDMI cable types and their versions has never been as important as it is for PS5 and the newer generation consoles.
The fact of the matter is that while all HDMI cables may look the same, they can be worlds apart in terms of performance.
In the following article, I will talk about what does the PS5 HDMI cable look like physically and also touch base on how looks can be deceiving in deciphering the version it belongs to.
So What Does the PS5 HDMI Cable Look Like Physically?
At first glance, the PS5 HDMI cable appears quite similar to other HDMI cables you might have encountered before.
The HDMI cable for PS5 follows the standard Type-A HDMI physical form factor.
The Standard Type A HDMI cable has the following physical markers:
- A flat, rectangular connector with 19 pins.
- Housing is made of plastic or metal, depending on the cable’s quality.
- Gold-plated connectors, which are common in higher-quality cables ensure optimal signal transfer and corrosion resistance.
While these characteristics may seem ordinary, the true differences between one HDMI Type A to another depend upon what version it belongs to.
HDMI Cable Versions – What Lies Underneath
Despite their identical appearance, HDMI cables come in various versions, each with distinct bandwidth capacities.
Bandwidth, in simple terms, refers to the amount of data the cable can transmit per second.
A higher bandwidth allows for higher resolution and frame rate. As such, the following are the different PS5 HDMI cable versions:
- HDMI 1.4, aka High-Speed Cable: Supports up to 10.2 Gbps bandwidth, sufficient for 1080p and 4K at 30Hz.
- HDMI 2.0 aka Premium High-Speed Cable: Offers up to 18 Gbps bandwidth, enabling 4K at 60Hz and limited support for 8K at lower refresh rates.
- HDMI 2.1 aka Ultra High-Speed Cable: Delivers a massive 48 Gbps bandwidth, allowing for 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz, among other features.
The following table explains it more:
| HDMI Cable Certification | Supported Specs | Intended HDMI Port Version |
| Standard | 1080P @ 60Hz | 1.0-1.3 |
| High Speed | FHD @ 144Hz QHD @ 60Hz 4K @ 30hz | 1.4 |
| Premium High Speed | FHD @ 240Hz QHD @ 144Hz 4K @ 60Hz | 2.0 |
| Ultra High Speed | FHD @ > 240Hz 1440P @ > 240Hz 4K @ 144Hz (240Hz with DSC) 8K @ 120Hz (DSC) 10K @ 120Hz (DSC) | 2.1 |
Fortunately, PS5 does come bundled with an Ultra HDMI cable (HDMI 2.1 cable) that is 1.5 meters long (~5 ft).
The PS5 HDMI Cable
Above is the photo of the HDMI 2.1 cable that comes bundled with the PS5.
It is the standard HDMI Type A cable conforming to version 2.1 specs. Meaning it can carry up to 8K resolution easily. Of course, while the cable has the capacity to support up to 8K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate, PS5’s hardware is not powerful enough to support these specs.
You can also see that it isn’t quite long. Your PS5 will have to be fairly close to your TV/monitor in order for it to interface.
In case, if you want a longer cable, you will need to purchase one separately. However, when purchasing a new HDMI cable, make sure that it corresponds to the HDMI 2.1 standards to support PS5 max display output mode.
In other words, if you opt for a Premium HDMI cable (2.0) instead of the Ultra HDMI cable (2.1), the max output display mode would be limited to 4K @ 60Hz (PS5 can support up to 4K @ 120Hz but only with ultra HDMI cable).
So while you can use any HDMI cable with the PS5, the display mode supported will vary depending upon what cable type you have.
Always Check for the Certification Label
If you decide to buy a new longer cable or a replacement cable, make sure that the premium or ultra high-speed HDMI cable you buy is certified by HDMI.org.
Check for the QR Code + Holographic certifications labeled on the package.
You do not want to get swindled into buying an inferior cable by cheaper knock-off manufacturers.
