Will We Get A PS5 Slim This Year? What We Know So Far
Microsoft has recently dropped hints that a new version of the PS5 console is on its way this year. Judging Sony’s actions in the past, we expect this console to be either the PS5 Slim or the PS5 Pro.
Read this post till the end to check out what might be in store for you by the end of this year.
PS5 Slim: Release Date Speculation
So far, no PS5 Slim release date has been announced or confirmed. However, with so many leaks and rumors, everything points to a late 2023 release date.
Regarding leaks, the biggest one came in the form of data mining from Amazon’s Sony listing page. It recently got updated, which included the inclusion of a new version of the PS5. Whether it’s the PS5 Slim or the highly anticipated PS5 Pro, no one is sure of it.
Most people expect the new PS5 Slim to arrive sooner than later since it has been 3 years since the PS5 was released. The console and all its game developers have had the time to mature and familiarize themselves with the PS5 technology.
Therefore, the PS5 Slim can feature the same performance as the PS5, just slimmer and sans a few features. Less cooling power, maybe – considering that newer games will be better optimized to run on this system. This could allow more power to be packed into a smaller chassis.
PS5 Slim: Price Speculation
Xbox One S creators Microsoft are currently awaiting new hearing dates for its FTC vs. Microsoft legal case. During the court proceedings, much new information about gaming companies was leaked, most notably regarding competitors Sony and Nintendo.
In various reports, Microsoft has claimed that Sony is working on a new “budget” version of the PS5, which all gamers were quick enough to think of as the PS5 Slim. This is most likely to be the case since a slimmer edition of the PS5 can be the only answer.
Right now, the PS5 Digital Edition costs around $399, with the PS5 Standard (with a disk drive) costing around $499. Therefore, judging by these price points, many believe that the PS5 Slim price will be around $299 or $349.
However, many claim that the PS5 Slim price will be the same as the Digital Edition, costing $399. This can be due to the fact that there is a high possibility of Sony retiring the Digital Edition from the market, and replacing it with the PS5 Slim.
This would make sense, considering that Sony rolled out the same treatment for the PS4 and PS4 Slim. When the PS4 Slim was launched, it had the same price tag as the PS4, being its replacement.
Therefore, the PS5 Slim will also be the same as the Digital Edition at $399, with the latter being removed from the market completely. $299 is a bit too cheap for such a console.
PS5 Slim: How “Slim” Will The New Design Be?
If you wish to know about the PS5 Slim design, then it will be similar to the PS5, with a smaller overall frame.
Many say that the PS5 has a “futuristic router” look, considering it has sharp angles and sits upright. Therefore, we can expect Sony to make the chassis smaller, with the sharper edges being replaced with more rounded edges.
One thing that many will agree to is the fact that the PS5 Slim will be a disc-less version. This makes sense since having an extra Blu-ray disc player will make the console bigger. Plus, it will be more expensive as well.
However, many analysts fear that the upgradability of the PS5 Slim SSD storage might be removed completely. Currently, both the standard and the DigitalEditions of the PS5 have the option of storage upgradeability.
Here, you can add an external SSD card to it so that you can store more games in it. This is a must for the Digital Edition since we longer use discs to store games on this version of the console.
In addition, we can also expect a lesser number of USB ports to be present to save some space. Moreover, doing so can help Sony to focus more on its cooling systems. If the cooling becomes more efficient, then we can expect this console to run games on a smaller frame with relative ease. Therefore, performance will not be compromised in this regard.
However, all other specifications will remain the same. I certainly do not expect an upgraded processor in the form of an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.
PS5 Slim: What New Features Can We Expect?
One thing that Microsoft has speculated is that the new PS5 model could have a detachable drive. Even though we expect the PS5 Slim to be a fully digital version, it could potentially have an external Blu-ray drive to allow us to play games using the game discs.
This makes sense, considering that Sony might also release the PS5 Pro as well. Therefore, one can say that the PS5 Slim and the PS5 Pro will completely replace the Digital and Standard editions, respectively.
The PS5 Pro will have a boosted performance and a higher price tag as well. I expect its price to be the same as the Standard Edition at $499. However, it can potentially be higher as well, around the $599 price tag.
PS5 Slim vs. PS5 Pro: Which One Should We Get?
If you ask me, whether you should buy the PS5 Slim or the PS5 Pro depends on your budget.
If you have a lesser budget and tighter space constraints to set it up with your TV, then the PS5 Slim makes sense. However, if you don’t have any budgetary constraints or space constraints, then the PS5 Pro is the best choice.
PS5 Portable: Is This Finally Happening?
Microsoft has also stated that Sony might be gearing up for a handheld version of the PS5 as well. This version will have a big screen in the middle of the controller itself, acting the same way as a Nintendo Switch.
With this handheld PS5, Sonny looks to compete directly with the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally. Plus, Microsoft has also stated that this device will stream the games from your PS5 console over a WiFi network. However, I am still in the dark about this one, but I anticipate announcements soon.
Conclusion: Same Power, Just Slimmer
The PS5 Slim seems to be a console upgrade that we all expect to happen to the PS5. Fitting the same power inside a smaller body seems highly likely, considering that Sony has done the same in the past as well. Right now, all that we can do is wait for it and hope it comes true.
Have I missed out on any other information regarding the PS5 Slim? Comment down below!
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