Microsoft court documents from the FTC hearing flagged the industry's attention earlier this month, indicating the launch of a potential PlayStation 5 Slim later this year with a competitive price tag of $399.99. Notably, this price point is the same as the digital version of the PS5, suggesting Sony's aggressive strategy for its new model.
The rumor mill churned further with comments from XboxEra co-founder Shpeshal Nick, who stated that Sony might reveal the PS5 Slim at a PlayStation Showcase in August. Nick was quick to temper expectations, however, telling audiences that Sony traditionally hosts their show in September. It seems that this year, Sony might deviate from its regular schedule to possibly maintain momentum amid Microsoft's merger news with Activision Blizzard.
While Sony remains tight-lipped about these speculations, the timeline suggested aligns well with the October release of Sony's blockbuster Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Launching a more affordable console remodel concurrently could sway gamers and set the stage for a successful holiday sales season.
Historically, Sony has released slim versions of the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4 years into their respective console lifespans. The PS3 Slim and PS4 Slim, in particular, came exactly three years later. As November marks the three-year anniversary of the PS5, there's an existing precedent. It would also explain why the showcase would come earlier. If the pre-orders start as early as August, Sony can post the sales figures of the upcoming still-unconfirmed console for its second financial quarter, which stretches from July to September, and the third financial quarter, encompassing the entirety of the holiday season until the year ends.
