PS5 Slim: a look at the new model releasing in November
The PlayStation 5 Slim has finally been announced, continuing Sony’s trend of releasing a thinner hardware revision for each PlayStation generation, dating all the way back to the PS1. The slimmer model appears to significantly reduce the silhouette of the PS5 system, while retaining the power of the base model.
The revised console, announced via the official PlayStation blog, will completely replace the base PS5 model and will release sometime in November, right around the time the holidays arrive. Unfortunately, no concrete date has been announced yet, but we don’t have to wait more than a month for more news about the PS5 Slim.
Expect the PS5 Slim revision to be just as powerful as the base model, and maintain the same price point. However, it is much slimmer, has a slightly more attractive design, and offers the option to purchase a detachable Ultra HD Blu-Ray disc drive for the PS5 Digital Edition. Then read on to learn everything we know about the PS5 Slim.
PS5 Slim: price and availability
The PS5 Slim comes in at exactly the original model’s price of $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95, in line with last year’s PS5 price increase. Alternatively, the PS5 Slim Digital Edition will also be available for a cheaper price of $449.99 / £389.99 / AU$679.95. Again, this matches the price of the original digital edition.
Sony will also offer an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive, sold separately, for those who purchase the PS5 Slim Digital Edition and want the option to upgrade to use physical media in the future. The disc drive costs $79.99 / £99.99 / AU$159.95, making it much cheaper to buy in the US than in the UK.
Moreover, owners can also purchase a new vertical stand that is compatible with old and new PS5 models. This retails for $29.99 / £24.99 / AU$49.95. However, the new consoles come with a horizontal stand if you’re concerned about scratching a surface.
No concrete release date has been announced yet, with Sony simply teasing a November release date. We’ll probably find out more in the coming weeks.
Historically, Sony has tended to release a Slim version of its consoles three years after launch. This was the case with PS3 and PS4, while the PS2 Slim and PS One took four years and six years respectively to arrive. So it’s likely that a PS5 Slim will be released sometime in 2023 or early 2024.
PS5 Slim: Design
According to the official PlayStation Blog, the new PS5 Slim is “reduced in volume by more than 30% and in weight by 18% and 24% compared to previous models.” There are now also four cover panels, instead of just two. The top two have a more glossy finish, which contrasts with the matte finish of the bottom panels.
This subdivision of panels will likely facilitate the new detachable disc drive design, which still appears detachable on the standard PS5 Slim model. You can also still fit the best SSDs for PS5, as the updated consoles continue to support M.2 NVMe SSDs.
PS5 Slim: specifications
In addition to the new size, weight and panels, the specifications for the PS5 Slim models remain almost exactly the same as the original models. That means the same RDNA 2-based GPU and support for Tempest 3D Audio technology and Dolby Atmos.
One major change to note, however, is that the original’s 825GB of accessible storage has been upgraded to 1TB, meaning additional space has been added to compensate for the console’s operating system installation size.
PS5 Slim – Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wait for a PS5 Slim?
The PS5 Slim costs the same as the original model, priced at $499 / £449. But if you have to get a PS5 at all, then it’s definitely worth waiting for the slimmer model. It will be just as powerful as the base model, while shrinking in size and weight.
When will the PS5 get a Slim model?
The PS5 Slim will launch sometime in November 2023. Sony hasn’t announced a concrete release date yet, but it will likely align with the various holiday sales events.
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