It’s official: Sony is releasing the PlayStation 5 Slim on November 8. Although this information doesn’t come from a new and official announcement, the source is as legitimate as they come. Those eager to get their hands on the slimmer take on Sony’s flagship console won’t have to wait long to get their hands on it.
This leak about the PS5 Slim comes from Billbil-kun, who, in the past, has been behind the early PlayStation Plus lineup revelations. Reporting on the French website Dealabs, the insider claims that the PS5 Slim standard edition sold as part of a bundle with Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 will launch in the U.S. on November 8, bearing a price tag of $559.99. Intriguingly, this is the same price as the existing standard edition PS5 paired with Spider-Man 2.
However, the narrative unfolds a bit more: Billbil-kun suggests a November 10 release date for both the standard and digital versions of the PS5 Slim in the U.S. This leads to speculation that Sony may have a staggered release strategy planned, offering the Spider-Man 2 bundle slightly ahead of the standalone launch of the new console.
The PlayStation 5 Slim’s design offers slight but notable enhancements over its predecessor. Aside from its more sleight frame, Sony has boosted the PS5 Slim’s storage capacity, offering 1TB for both the standard and digital editions, a step up from the 825GB found in the original models. This move is likely in response to increasing game sizes, like the Day One patch for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and the overall for more onboard storage. Additionally, Sony will introduce the option for users to integrate an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive with the PS5 Digital Edition, catering to those who might have a mix of digital and physical games.
The PS5 Slim will also come with a horizontal stand, ensuring stability when placing the console. For those preferring a vertical placement, a new stand compatible with all PS5 models will be available, sold separately for $29.99. Although if we’re being honest, it’s a tad too overpriced. You’re better off exploring after-market alternatives on your preferred online retailer, which probably is Amazon.
With this release, Sony seems poised to phase out the original models. Once stocks of the current version deplete, the PlayStation 5 Slim will exclusively dominate the market. As the holiday season approaches, Sony’s strategy with its early November release appears to be aimed at capturing the bustling holiday shopping market, with the latest PS5 model promising all the powerful features of its predecessor but in a sleeker, more streamlined package. It remains to be seen how the gaming community will receive this new iteration of the PlayStation, but given the anticipation, it’s set to be another successful chapter for Sony in the console wars.
Speaking of the console wars, not even the stratospheric launch numbers of Starfield was enough to put a dent on the PlayStation 5’s massive lead over its competition. After setting a new record quarter in gaming history earlier this year, Sony has yet to let up, outselling every other console in the United States every month since. The PS5 is now the best-selling video game console of the year. With Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which is getting rave reviews, and the PS5 Slim coming out in the next two months, it’s safe to say that Sony will end the year on a high note.
Hopefully, this encourages Sony to reveal the PlayStation 5 Pro earlier to help keep the hype train going.
