The PS5 Slim is a slimmer and lighter version of the PS5 that offers more storage space and a detachable disc drive.
It is bulky, noisy, and expensive, and it can be hard to find in stock due to high demand and supply shortages. That’s why many gamers are eagerly waiting for the rumored PS5 Slim, a smaller and cheaper version of the PS5 this year.
But what do we know about the PS5 Slim so far? How will it differ from the original PS5? Will it have a disc drive or not? And how much will it cost? In this article, we will try to answer these questions and more, based on the latest rumors and speculation about the PS5 Slim.
The PS5 Slim is set to launch in October 2023, and will be available in two models: the PS5 Slim with Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and the PS5 Slim Digital Edition. Here is everything you need to know about the PS5 Slim, including its release date, price, specs, and review.
Specification
The PS5 Slim is expected to have the same hardware specifications as the original PS5, which means it will have an AMD Zen 2-based CPU with 8 cores at 3.5GHz, an AMD RDNA 2-based GPU with 10.28 teraflops and 36 compute units at 2.23GHz, 16GB of GDDR6 memory, and an 825GB custom SSD. The PS5 Slim will also support ray tracing, 4K resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and 3D audio.
However, the PS5 Slim will likely have a smaller and sleeker design than the original PS5, which measures 15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches and weighs 9.9 pounds. According to a leaked video from an Australian PlayStation repair specialist, the PS5 Slim will be about 5cm shorter than the current PS5, and will have a curved shape with two slits on each side of the case. The PS5 Slim will also have dual USB-C ports on the front instead of the single USB-C and USB-A ports found on the current PS5 models.
The PS5 Slim will also be more power efficient and quieter than the original PS5, as it will generate less heat and require less cooling. The current PS5 models are known to have issues with overheating and loud fan noise, which can affect the performance and longevity of the console. The PS5 Slim will hopefully solve these problems with a better thermal design and ventilation system.
Release Date
The PS5 Slim will be available from October 2023 in select regions, and will roll out globally in the following months. Sony has not announced the exact release date for each region, but you can check the availability of the PS5 Slim on the PlayStation website or your local retailers.
The PS5 Slim will replace the current PS5 models once they sell out, so if you want to get the original PS5 or the PS5 Digital Edition at their current prices, you should act fast.
Price
The price of the PS5 Slim is also a matter of speculation, but it is likely to be cheaper than the original PS5 models. The current digital-only PS5 costs $399, while the disc drive version costs $499. Assuming Sony doesn’t drop the price of these models, that should mean a disc drive-less PS5 Slim should cost around $400 or less.
However, if Sony does decide to lower the price of its existing models to compete with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X ($499) and Xbox Series S ($299), then we could see a more significant price difference between the original and slim versions of the PS5. For example, if Sony reduces the price of its digital-only model to $349 or $299, then it could sell its slim model for $299 or $249 respectively.
Of course, these are just hypothetical scenarios based on rumors and speculation. The actual price of the PS5 Slim will depend on many factors, such as production costs, market demand, and competitive strategies. Sony has not confirmed or denied the existence of the PS5 Slim, let alone its price, so we will have to wait for an official announcement to know for sure.
Specifications
The PS5 Slim has the same hardware power as the original PS5, which means it can run games at up to 4K resolution and 120 frames per second, support ray tracing and 3D audio, and offer fast loading times with its custom SSD. The main difference is that the PS5 Slim has a 1TB SSD compared to the original PS5’s 825GB SSD, which means you can store more games and apps on your console. The PS5 Slim also has a second USB-C port on the front panel, replacing the USB-A port on the original PS5.
The PS5 Slim is also much smaller and lighter than the original PS5. The PS5 Slim with Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive weighs 3.2kg, which is 18% less than the original PS5’s 3.9kg. The PS5 Slim Digital Edition weighs 2.6kg, which is 24% less than the original PS5 Digital Edition’s 3.4kg. The PS5 Slim also has a 30% lower volume than the original PS5, which means it takes up less space in your entertainment setup.
The PS5 Slim also has a new look that features a curved slit that divides each faceplate into glossy and matte sections. You can also customize your PS5 Slim with different colored faceplates that will be available for £54.99 / $54.99 / 59.99 Euro starting from early 2024.
Will PS5 Slim Have a Disc Drive?
One of the most intriguing rumors about the PS5 Slim is that it will have a detachable disc drive that can be connected via a USB-C port. This would allow users to choose whether they want to use physical discs or digital downloads for their games, and also save space and money by not having a built-in disc drive.
This rumor is based on a patent filed by Sony in 2019 , which describes a “removable device” that can be attached to a game console via a connector. The patent does not explicitly mention a disc drive, but it does show a diagram of a device that looks like one. The patent also states that the removable device can provide “additional functions” to the game console, such as “increasing processing speed, storage capacity, or battery life.”
If this rumor is true, then it would be a revolutionary feature for the PS5 Slim, as it would give users more flexibility and options for their gaming experience. However, there are also some potential drawbacks and challenges to this idea, such as compatibility issues, security risks, and user confusion. It is also possible that Sony has abandoned or modified this idea since filing the patent, or that it is intended for a different product altogether.
PS5 vs PS5 Slim
The PS5 Slim is rumored to be a smaller and cheaper version of the PS5, but how will it compare to the original model in terms of performance and features? Here are some of the main differences and similarities between the two consoles:
- The PS5 Slim will have a smaller and sleeker design than the original PS5, with a curved shape, two slits on each side of the case, and dual USB-C ports on the front. The original PS5 has a larger and more angular design, with a single slit on each side of the case and a single USB-C and USB-A port on the front.
- The PS5 Slim will be about 5cm shorter than the current PS5, according to a leaked video. The original PS5 measures 15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches and weighs 9.9 pounds.
- The PS5 Slim will have a detachable disc drive that can be connected via a USB-C port, according to rumors. The original PS5 has two models: one with a built-in disc drive and one without.
- The PS5 Slim will have the same hardware specs as the original PS5, which means it will have an AMD Zen 2-based CPU with 8 cores at 3.5GHz, an AMD RDNA 2-based GPU with 10.28 teraflops and 36 compute units at 2.23GHz, 16GB of GDDR6 memory, and an 825GB custom SSD.
- The PS5 Slim will also support the same features as the original PS5, such as ray tracing, 4K resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and 3D audio
- The PS5 Slim will likely be cheaper than the original PS5 models, which cost $399 for the digital-only version and $499 for the disc drive version. Microsoft believes the PS5 Slim will cost $399.99, according to court documents.
Will PS5 Slim Be Less Powerful
The PS5 Slim is not expected to be less powerful than the original PS5, as it will have the same hardware specs and features. However, there may be some minor differences in performance due to the smaller size and design of the slim model.
For example, the PS5 Slim may have less cooling capacity than the original PS5, which could affect its ability to run games at high settings or for long periods of time without overheating or throttling. On the other hand, the PS5 Slim may also have less power consumption than the original PS5, which could improve its energy efficiency and reduce its noise level.
Ultimately, these differences are likely to be negligible or insignificant for most users, as both consoles will deliver similar gaming experiences in terms of graphics quality and frame rate. The main advantage of the PS5 Slim will be its smaller size and lower price, which could make it more appealing and accessible to gamers who want a more compact and affordable console.
Review
The PS5 Slim is a welcome update to Sony’s next-generation console that offers some improvements and enhancements over the original PS5. The slimmer and lighter design makes the console more portable and easier to fit in your living room, while the increased storage space and additional USB-C port are useful additions that enhance your gaming experience. The detachable disc drive is also a clever feature that gives you more options and flexibility when it comes to playing physical games and media on your console.
However, the PS5 Slim is not a major upgrade that changes the core performance or features of the console. If you already own a PS5 or a PS5 Digital Edition, you may not feel the need to switch to the PS5 Slim unless you really care about saving some space or having more storage capacity. The price increase for the PS5 Slim Digital Edition may also deter some buyers who prefer to go digital-only with their games.
Bottom Line
Overall, the PS5 Slim is a refined and improved version of the original PS5 that offers some benefits and advantages for new buyers or those who want to upgrade their console.
The PS5 Slim is still one of the best gaming consoles on the market that delivers stunning graphics, smooth gameplay, and immersive sound for a wide range of games and genres. If you are looking for a slimmer and sleeker way to enjoy your PlayStation games, you should definitely consider getting the PS5 Slim when it launches in October 2023.