Sony is releasing a newly designed PlayStation 5 with a detachable disc drive that will eventually become the only model you can buy.
Like its predecessor, the new console (unofficially dubbed the PS5 Slim) comes in two models: one that can play physical games using a removable disc drive and a cheaper digital edition for downloadable games purchased online.
Here’s what you need to know about the new console, including its price, release date and how it compares to the current PS5.
What is the difference between PS5 and PS5 slim?
Sony says the new device is 30 per cent smaller and up to 24 per cent lighter than the original console from 2020, depending on the model you buy.
Although the PS5 slim still looks like a minimal white slab, Sony has made some significant alterations to the console’s design.
Firstly, the bulge at the side that houses the disc drive can now be removed and replaced with a side panel. Both PS5 slim models come with four detachable cover panels, including a new glossy top half, and the same matte bottom.
With games getting bulkier all the time, Sony has upped the storage of the new PS5 slim to 1 terabyte (TB) versus 825GB on the original console.
Now, there are also two USB-C ports on the front instead of a single USB-C and USB-A port. While the back contains the same pair of USB-A ports and a single Ethernet port.
How much does the PS5 slim cost?
Sony is charging £480 for the disc-drive console and £390 for the digital edition.
Fortunately, those who nab a digital edition only to end up with FOMO will be able to buy a disc drive separately for £100. This way, you can play or trade physical copies of games, which are often cheaper than digital versions, especially when purchased second-hand. Plus, you can watch Blu-rays and DVDs of your favourite shows and movies.
In a move destined to irk some gamers, Sony is charging for a vertical stand to keep the console upright. The panel, which was previously included for free, will now be sold separately for £25. Of course, you could ignore it and just lay the PS5 flat using the horizontal stand that comes in the box.
When is the PS5 slim release date?
The new models will go on sale in November in the US, and come to more countries in the following months. Ultimately, the plan is to discontinue the original PS5 once it sells out, and replace it with the new console.
Will there be a PS5 Pro?
More broadly, Sony appears to be following its tried and tested release playbook. Slim versions of PlayStation consoles have been around since the glory days of the PS2 — while a high-end PS4 Pro with support for 4K visuals was released in 2016.
Does that mean we’ll get a more powerful PS5 model, too? Needless to say, Sony is keeping mum on the matter, but rumours suggest that a PS5 Pro could arrive in 2024 as a stop-gap between the PS5 and PS6. The gaming giant has also stepped up its release of PlayStation-branded peripherals including the PSVR 2 headset, new wireless headphones and earphones, and a game-streaming handheld.
Sony’s plans to release a PS5 with a detachable disc drive were first leaked in September 2022. Still, gamers who have purchased the latest bundles or special editions of the current console may be peeved by the announcement of the slim model. While the two-and-half-year gap between the two versions is roughly the same as with the PS4, it may seem shorter for those who couldn’t purchase the original PS5 straightaway due to product shortages.
