It looks as if the rumors were 100% true, as PlayStation has revealed a brand-new model of the PlayStation 5, aptly called the PlayStation 5 Slim. This newly revealed PlayStation 5 slim release date is slated for this Holiday season, starting November 2023. And unlike the previous models, there will only be one model that will allow for an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive.
According to PlayStation, this new PlayStation 5 model will be reduced by more than 30%, weigh less, and come with a 1TB SSD. However, unlike the current PlayStation 5, this new model will feature four cover panels, so your existing cover plates will not work with this new system. The new model will be released for both the PlayStation 5 ($499.99) and the PlayStation 5 digital (449.99), with the latter being able to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive if you choose to do so for an additional $79.99. Now, keep in mind that the current PlayStation 5 Digital is priced at $399.99 (or less if you look around), and the new PS5 Slim Digital console would be a 50-dollar price hike, at least in North America.
For those who stand up your PlayStation 5, you’ll be a tad frustrated to know that the stand that comes with the PlayStation 5 currently will not be included with the new PlayStation 5 Slim. Instead, you’ll have to fork out another $29.99 for it. So, that’s a $50 price increase for the PS5 Slim and a $40 markup for the stand. Now, I know PlayStation has been selling stands for every console since the PlayStation 2, but it feels bad knowing what we have now and then having PlayStation remove the stand from the box, and tell you if you want it, pay up. I know that’s capitalism machine at work and all, but still.
PlayStation has stated that once the current stock of PlayStation 5’s is gone, this will be the only version of the PlayStation available. Which makes sense, given they want to see this newer PlayStation 5 Slim.
What PlayStation hasn’t done is show the current PS5 against the upcoming version, as I’d love to see just how much of a difference there is. Being reduced by more than 30% is a big deal, which means Sony/PlayStation has refined its chipset. And, of course, this is the same chipset, so don’t get excited and ask about any new power under the hood because there hasn’t been.
PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Slim specs:
- CPU: 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz (variable frequency)
- GPU: 10.28 TFLOPs, 36 CUs at 2.23GHz (variable frequency)
- GPU Architecture: Custom RDNA 2
- Memory/Interface: 16GB GDDR6/256-bit
- Memory Bandwidth: 448GB/s
- Internal Storage: 825GB SSD / 1TB (PS5 Slim)
- IO Throughput: 5.5GB/s (Raw), Typical 8-9GB/s (Compressed)
- Expandable Storage: NVMe SSD Slot
- External Storage: USB HDD Support
- Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive
If you already own a PS5, does this new PS5 Slim make you want to upgrade to the new model, or are you happy with what you already own? What do you think about the new design? Sound off in the comments!
