The PlayStation 5 Slim is now the most commonly found model on shop shelves and retailer's websites. It's slightly different, as you'd expect, from the launch model, but has now become the standard and default PS5.
The revised console, originally announced via the official PlayStation Blog, continues Sony's trend of releasing a thinner hardware revision for each PlayStation generation, dating all the way back to the PS1. This sleeker model significantly reduces the silhouette of the PS5 system while retaining the power of the base model. Soon, the PS5 Pro will join the lineup, offering a nice upgrade to the base model's GPU, and adding AI-driven upscaling.
The PS5 Slim revision is just as powerful as the base model, and it retains the same price point. However, it is much slimmer, has a slightly more appealing design, and provides an option to purchase a detachable Ultra HD Blu-Ray disc drive to the PS5 Digital Edition. Read on, then, to learn everything you need to know about the PS5 Slim.
PS5 Slim: price
The PS5 Slim comes in at exactly the original model's price of $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95, in line with the previous PS5 price hike. Alternatively, the PS5 Slim Digital Edition will also be available at a cheaper $449.99 / £389.99 / AU$679.95. Again, this is in line with the original Digital Edition's price point.
Sony is also offering an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive, sold separately, for those who buy the PS5 Slim Digital Edition and would like the option to upgrade to use physical media in the future. The disc drive clocks in at $79.99 / £99.99 / AU$159.95, making it much cheaper to buy in the US than it is in the UK.
Additionally, owners will also be able to purchase a new vertical stand that's compatible with PS5 models old and new. This'll retail for $29.99 / £24.99 / AU$49.95. The new consoles do, however, come bundled with a horizontal stand if you were concerned about scratching it against a surface.
Those looking for where to buy PS5 Slim should head over to our dedicated page which has all the info on the latest stock in the US, UK, and other regions, while our PS5 deals and bundles page might just have a larger package you're after.
PS5 Slim: design
According to the official PlayStation Blog post (linked above), the PS5 Slim "has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models." There are now four cover panels, too, as opposed to just two, split by a metallic-finished 'bar' between them. The top two feature a more glossy finish, contrasting against the matte finish of the bottom panels.
This subdivision of panels is made to facilitate the new detachable disc drive design. You'll also still be able to insert the best SSDs for PS5, as the updated consoles continue to support M.2 NVMe SSDs.
PS5 Slim: specs
Besides the new size, weight, and panels, the specs for the PS5 Slim models remain almost exactly the same as the original models. That means the same RDNA 2-based GPU, the same CPU, and support for Tempest 3D Audio tech as well as Dolby Atmos.
One important change to note, though, is that the original's 825GB of accessible storage has been upgraded to 1TB, meaning extra space has been added to offset the install size of the console's operating system upon first boot. This is most welcome considering a good chunk of the capacity is taken up by the PS5's own operating system and other bits and bobs.
PS5 Slim: FAQs
Should I buy a PS5 Slim?
The PS5 Slim costs the same as the original model at $499 / £449 price tag. But if you've yet to purchase a PS5 at all, then it's certainly worth purchasing the slimmer model as it's equally as powerful as the base PS5, and offers options like a detachable disc drive should you wish to use physical discs.
It's worth noting that the PS5 Pro launches on November 7, 2024, so you may want to hold off and consider whether the more powerful option is for you. It offers a larger GPU, and AI-driven upscaling. So far, we've seen boosted versions of Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2.
Is it worth upgrading to the PS5 Slim?
If you already have a launch PS5 and it's performing perfectly fine, then, no, we don't think it's worth upgrading to the PS5 Slim. As we mention on this page, there isn't actually much to upgrade to in comparison to the launch model, aside from getting a slightly larger-capacity SSD.
