It’s crazy what happens from a single image that’s posted online. But, that’s sort of expected when the image is a side-by-side comparison between the outgoing PlayStation 5 model and the incoming one, which many have referred to as the PlayStation 5 Slim even before its official reveal last month.
Leaked photos, which surfaced online before being quickly removed, presumably by Sony, shows a console that’s both slimmer and shorter, promising a more compact footprint for space-conscious gamers.
The images, first posted by an X user identified as @phantompainss, reveal the PS5 Slim sitting beside the original PS5 model, displaying a noticeable difference in size. Despite the deletion of the original post, snapshots of the initial leak have spread across the internet, with outlets like The Verge capturing and circulating the visual comparison.
From what we can tell based on the leaked image, the PS5 Slim’s design differs from its predecessor, adopting curves that are more exaggerated, including a marked deviation from the launch model’s distinctive fins – a design element especially evident in units featuring dBrand’s Darkplates. This redesign hasn’t gone well with all fans. Some find it odd, but others see it in a more positive light.
Objectively, the size reduction is tangible. The standard disc version of the PS5 measures 390 mm × 260 mm × 104 mm, while the new slim version has dimensions of 358 mm × 96 mm × 216 mm. Similarly, the digital version sees a reduction from 390 mm × 260 mm × 92 mm to 358 mm × 80 mm × 216 mm. Weight has also been cut, with the disc version slimming down from 4.5 kg to 3.2 kg and the digital model dropping from 3.9 kg to 2.6 kg.
Functionally, the PS5 Slim retains the same ports as the original – HDMI, two USB ports, ethernet, and the power socket. One of the standout features of the PS5 Slim is its detachable disc drive, which attaches to the digital-only version and requires an internet connection for what’s assumed to be a one-time verification during setup. This add-on, while it may prove flexibility, has raised concerns about the longevity of the authentication servers required for this feature.
Sony has confirmed the PS5 Slim’s likely release alongside the PlayStation Portal on November 15. Pricing is set at $499 for the version with a disc drive and $449 for the digital-only variant. Standalone disc drives are also available for $80.
Adding to the excitement, Sony has announced a PS5 Slim disc edition bundle with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, scheduled for release on November 10. This bundle, priced at $499, effectively grants buyers a complimentary copy of the game, a $69.99 value.
While the PS5 Slim’s scaled-down design is intriguing, it’s worth noting that the internal technology mirrors that of the original model. The reduction in volume by more than 30% and weight by 18% to 24% has been achieved without any sacrifice to the console’s functionality. However, the smaller scale raises questions about potential heat and operational noise issues, which we’ll have to wait until the consoles hits the storeshelves to find out if making the PS5 smaller and slimmer was the right decision or not.
As Sony phases out inventory of the existing PS5 model, the PS5 Slim will become the standard offering, with a global rollout planned in the months following its U.S. launch.
The PlayStation 5 is currently enjoying a massive lead over its competition, the Xbox Series X. Unfortunately, while Sony enjoys a new sales record set by Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, its “inferior” hardware is becoming more evident, starting with Alan Wake 2.
The next PlayStation 5 exclusive will be Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on February 29, but rumor has it that Sony might stealth announce a God of War spin-off within the next two months.
