The launch of PS5 Slim is not just an attempt to attract consumers who were deterred by the gargantuan size of the console. Slim versions of gaming consoles serve as a cost-cutting measure for companies. With the availability of more efficient parts and decreasing manufacturing costs, Sony can now develop a smaller PS5 that provides the same experience as the larger version but at a lower cost.
PS5 Slim Overview
Sony has already started downsizing the PS5 internally. For instance, the newer model of the PS5 Digital Edition, CFI-1100B, is 300 grams lighter than the launch model. Additionally, Sony replaced the screw that comes with the PS5’s stand, and the revised console has a redesigned heatsink, making the system even lighter.
However, there are a few drawbacks to hardware revisions. Slim versions of consoles may sometimes feel cheaper than the launch models, which can be over-engineered. Sometimes, the cost-savings can be noticeable when features are removed, as was the case with the optical port that was removed from the PS4 Slim.
Despite these drawbacks, the smaller and sleeker design of the PS5 Slim should outweigh most of the negatives a cheaper design may bring. Sony is likely to phase out the original console design with the new PlayStation 5 Slim as it seeks to maximize its profit margins during production. If you’re planning to purchase a PS5 Slim, here’s everything you can expect from Sony’s slender new hardware revision.
PlayStation 5 Price and Release Date
It is expected that the PlayStation 5 Slim will be priced lower than the original PS5 launch price of $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$749.95, which has now been raised to £479.99 / €549.99 / AU$799.95 due to a price increase. It is expected to cost around $100 less, similar to the PS4 launch price of $399 / £349.
The PS5 Pro will likely replace the original PlayStation 5 price tag of $499 / £449, as happened with the PS4 Pro release.
It is unclear whether Sony will release a PS5 Slim Digital Edition, but if it does, it will likely follow the previous pricing scheme, with a $100 / £90 discount over the disc version. This could make the all-digital console very appealing, but it is uncertain if Sony would launch another digital model at this stage.
Typically, Sony releases 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 to arrive, respectively.
Therefore, it is likely that the PS5 Slim will arrive sometime in 2023 or early 2024.
PS5 Slim Design
It’s difficult to predict precisely how the PlayStation 5 Slim will look, but we can expect a significant reduction in size and weight compared to the original PS5. The console’s design will likely remain similar to Sony’s initial vision, with a smaller and more compact form factor.
Given that the PS5 is the largest console that Sony has ever produced, it takes up a lot of space in an entertainment center, particularly when placed vertically. A PS5 Slim that can be used horizontally without a stand would be a welcome change. We can anticipate that the Slim version will be much shorter than the current model, and Sony has already managed to reduce the weight of the PS5 by 300 grams.
Furthermore, we anticipate further improvements to the console’s substantial frame, which currently weighs 8.6 pounds, making it Sony’s second-heaviest system. While there has been one unofficial attempt to create a PS5 Slim, it involved separating the power unit into a separate large power brick, which is unlikely to be an approach Sony would take.
We expect the PS5 Slim to be a much more manageable and less bulky system that can fit comfortably into any home entertainment center.
PS5 Slim Specs
It’s likely that the PS5 Slim will have the same specifications as the original PS5, although previous Slim versions have received minor performance upgrades. For example, Microsoft slightly improved the performance of the Xbox One S, and Nintendo added more power to the New Nintendo 3DS to enable it to play certain games. However, Sony has not typically made hardware improvements to Slim models, and with the PS5 Pro on the horizon, it may not make sense to do so.
Instead, Sony may increase the storage capacity of the PS5 Slim or offer two SKUs for consumers who need more space to store games. There’s also a possibility that the console’s ports could be rearranged or changed, as was the case with the PS4 Slim, which removed the optical port.
PlayStation 5 Slim FAQs
The PS5 Slim is a rumored smaller, more compact version of the PlayStation 5 console.
It’s not certain when the PlayStation 5 Slim will be released, but historically Sony tends to release a Slim version of its consoles three years after launch. This means that it could arrive sometime in 2023 or early 2024.
The PlayStation 5 Slim will likely be cheaper than the original PS5’s launch price of $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$749.95, with an expected price of around $399 / £349.
It’s unclear whether Sony will release a PS5 Slim Digital Edition, but if it does, it’s expected to follow the same pricing scheme as before with a discount of $100 / £90 over the disc version.
The PS5 Slim will likely be identical spec-wise to the PS5, but there’s a chance that the console’s ports could change or move around.
The PS5 Slim is expected to be a smaller, more compact version of the PS5’s current design. There’s a possibility that the console’s stand could be removed completely for those who put the console on its side, and there could be improvements to the console’s hefty frame.
Sony hasn’t generally improved hardware inside Slim models, but there’s a possibility that the PS5 Slim’s storage could be increased or that it could offer two SKUs for those who want more storage space.
PlayStation 5 Slim: Should You wait?
The PS5 Slim is expected to be more affordable than the current price tag of $499 / £449 for the PS5, and its smaller size will attract those who find the PlayStation 5 too bulky. However, it is likely that you will have to wait for some time before its release.
