How Different Does The PS5 Slim Look From The Original?
While most Slim-type models experience quite a dramatic change in look to make them substantially smaller than their predecessors, the new PS5s are only 30% smaller and either 18% or 24% lighter than their predecessors.
The size difference breaks out fully as follows:
Exists any significant technical improvement in the PS5 Slim?
Especially in terms of performance, Sony's PS5 Slim is not a significant makeover from a PS5 Pro would be. Powered by the same AMD-designed system-on-chip (SoC) manufactured on TSMC's N6 (7nm-class with upgrades), which powers the original PS5, the PS5 Slim essentially runs games the same as the original and has 10.28 terabytes of power. The biggest change is that the PS5 Slim has greater storage space with a larger 1TB SSD over the original model's 825GB, therefore putting it up to par with the Xbox Series X, which had 1TB when it released around the same time as the PS5 in 2020, and the later Xbox Series S Consoles.
Although the PS5 Slim consoles use a fully re-engineered motherboard, Sony was able to shrink the machine and lower its weight by doing so. But Sony also had to rethink its cooling system if it was to shrink the consoles. The redesigned cooling system boasts a smaller backplate and five heatpipes—up from four in the previous design. Though it is smaller than the original PS5 overall, the redesigned cooling system is sufficient to keep the console running under heavy loads while keeping noise levels low. PS5 Slim is hence quieter than the original, however not noticeably since it generates 33.6 dBA while the original one generates 33.8 dBA.
Comparatively to the original, how much does the PS5 Slim cost?
With a built-in disc drive, the PS5 Slim runs $499.99; the digital-only model runs $449.99. While the PS5 Slim Digital version is considerably more expensive than the original digital-only PS5 model, presumably due to its additional capability in which users can attach a disc drive to it at a later date, the PS5 Slim disc drive version matches that of the original PS5 Disc Console when compared to the launch prices of the originals.
Those who purchase a digital-only edition and subsequently choose to add a disc drive later may find themselves spending more than those who bought the version with a disc drive built-in previously since the additional disc drive extension for the digital version costs $79.99. This seems like a pointless extra expense and a means of punishing people who could have later changed their opinion about physical media.
Revealing the PS5 Slim's Characteristics
Sony unveiled their updated PlayStation 5 in November 2023, somewhat smaller but with greater functionality than the 2020 generation. With game consoles, "slim" redesigns—typically include squeezing the key components of the original console into a more compact design or "Pro" versions that offer greater power, better graphics, and improved performance—have become somewhat popular.
Though a PS5 Pro has long been expected, Sony has not yet formally revealed it. The mid-generation release instead came under the "Slim" classification. Still, Sony only referred to the new model as "new look for the PlayStation 5" and never called it "PS5 Slim". The standard PS5 model will shortly be replaced by this design. The younger version will be referred to as the "PS5 Slim" in order to clearly differentiate between the two Consoles kinds.
For many PS5 games, the PlayStation 5 Pro could provide a better experience; yet, the rise might not be as significant as some have projected.
At least until a PlayStation 5 Pro is unveiled, which seems unavoidable at this point, the new, thinner version of the PS5 will finally become the sole PS5 on the market as the previous PS5 model will be phased out when its remaining inventory has been sold. How long this process of clearing out the older stock will take or whether Sony will start running more discounts and promotions to rapidly eliminate the original console inventory going forward is unknown.
Fans won't have to wait too long for a PS5 Pro, but for several reasons the stated release schedule doesn't seem ideal.
