Sony's PS5 Slim Edition: A Leaner Console with No Price Cut
The gaming landscape is about to get a sleek update as Sony unveils a slimmer model of its celebrated PlayStation 5 console, just in time to top the Christmas wish lists of gamers worldwide.
Three years post the initial release, the tech giant aims to woo the audience with a design that's not only more compact but also offers a solution to the earlier dilemma of choosing between a digital or disc version.
The latest iteration, set to hit the shelves in the US this November, carries forward the legacy of its predecessor while addressing some of the storage and volume concerns.
With the new model, players can now extend their disc drive space, an addition that brings a blend of modern and traditional gaming experience. Despite the slimmed-down design and increased storage, the price tags remain unchanged, making it a tantalizing option for those looking to upgrade their gaming setup without a hit on the wallet.
Sony is releasing a slimmer PS5 model, retaining the power of its predecessor while introducing new features. This model, available in the US this November, addresses gamers' previous dilemma of choosing between a digital or disc version by offering an expandable disc drive.
Despite a 30% volume reduction and up to 24% weight decrease, the storage capacity sees a bump, moving beyond the previous 825GB SSD limit to a new standard of 1TB SSD. However, the price remains unchanged, maintaining the financial commitment for gamers aiming to experience the latest next-gen games on a more compact yet robust console.
The redesigned PS5 boasts a volume reduction of over 30%, with its weight trimmed by 18% and 24% from prior models. It features four distinct cover panels, displaying a glossy finish on top, while retaining a matte finish below.
For those opting for the PS5 Digital Edition, an upgrade to the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive is possible later on, available separately at 79.99 USD | 119.99 EURO | 99.99 GBP | 11,980 JPY.
The recommended retail prices for the new PS5 model are as follows beginning with the rollout in November at participating retailers.
- U.S.
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 499.99 USD
- PS5 Digital Edition – 449.99 USD
- Europe
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 549.99 EUR
- PS5 Digital Edition – 449.99 EUR
- U.K.
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 479.99 GBP
- PS5 Digital Edition – 389.99 GBP
- Japan
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 66,980 JPY (includes tax)
- PS5 Digital Edition – 59,980 JPY (includes tax)
A horizontal stand will be included with the new PS5 model. Also a new Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately at 29.99 USD | 29.99 EURO | 24.99 GBP | 3,980 JPY.
Starting early 2024, Sony will offer a range of PS5 Console Covers in new colors including matte Black, and the Deep Earth Collection colors - Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver, priced from 54.99 USD | 54.99 EURO | 44.99 GBP | 7,480 JPY, with more colors to follow.
As we approach the launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 in ten days, the gaming excitement continues with upcoming releases like Alan Wake 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Recent launches like EA Sports FC 24, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, and Baldur’s Gate 3, ensure a thrilling gaming season for PS5 enthusiasts.
PlayStation 5 specifications
| External dimensions(excluding projecting parts) | Approx. 358 × 96 × 216 mm(width × height × depth) |
| Mass | Approx. 3.2 kg |
| CPU | x86-64-AMD Ryzen™ “Zen 2” |
| 8 Cores / 16 Threads | |
| Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz | |
| GPU | AMD Radeon™ RDNA 2-based graphics engine |
| Ray Tracing Acceleration | |
| Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS) | |
| System Memory | GDDR6 16GB |
| 448GB/s Bandwidth | |
| SSD | 1TB |
| 5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw) | |
| PS5 Game Disc | Ultra HD Blu-ray™, up to 100GB/disc |
| BD/DVD drive | Disc Drive portequipped with Disc Drive |
| Video Out | Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1) |
| Audio | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech |
| Input/OutputFront of Console | USB Type-C® port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) |
| USB Type-C® port (Hi-Speed USB) | |
| Input/OutputBack of Console | USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2 |
| Networking | Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Specifications
| External dimensions(excluding projecting parts) | Approx. 358 × 80 × 216 mm(width × height × depth) |
| Mass | Approx. 2.6 kg |
| CPU | x86-64-AMD Ryzen™ “Zen 2” |
| 8 Cores / 16 Threads | |
| Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz | |
| GPU | AMD Radeon™ RDNA 2-based graphics engine |
| Ray Tracing Acceleration | |
| Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS) | |
| System Memory | GDDR6 16GB |
| 448GB/s Bandwidth | |
| SSD | 1TB |
| 5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw) | |
| PS5 Game Disc | Ultra HD Blu-ray™, up to 100GB/disc |
| BD/DVD drive | Disc Drive port |
| Video Out | Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1) |
| Audio | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech |
| Input/OutputFront of Console | USB Type-C® port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) |
| USB Type-C® port (Hi-Speed USB) | |
| Input/OutputBack of Console | USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2 |
| Networking | Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
The unveiling of Sony's slimmer PS5 model comes at a pivotal time, aligning with the holiday season and the launch of highly anticipated games.
This revamped console, while retaining its power, offers a sleeker design and additional features, catering to the evolving demands of modern gamers. The expandable disc drive and increased storage are notable improvements that make the new model a desirable upgrade.
Sony's initiative to introduce a variety of console cover colors further enhances the appeal, allowing gamers to personalize their consoles. Coupled with a robust lineup of upcoming game releases, the PS5 is poised to remain a significant player in the competitive gaming console market, ensuring an engaging gaming experience for enthusiasts.