PS5 Goes Through Diet Regime, Retains Same Hardware
PS5 Goes Through Diet Regime, Retains Same Hardware
If you’ve been looking closely at the leaks of what looked like PS5 “Slim”, it turns out that leak was correct – well, mostly. Sony does, in fact, put the PS5 through a diet and slimmed it down somewhat, but officially they’re still “PS5” – in no instance has the word “slim” gets mentioned in the entirety of this announcement.
So what’s changed? The most prominent change here are two things: size, and a slightly updated design that introduces a cut in between two side panels (glossy on the upper side, matte on the bottom side), which aesthetically may not be of everyone’s taste. Bonus: the internal storage is now a full 1TB instead of the 825GB of old (though you’ll have to factor in system files and partitioning, so it’ll be less in practice).
Let’s talk about size first. The original PS5 (and its Digital Edition sibling) measures at 390 x 260 x 104mm (92mm for Digital), while the facelift has shrunk the volume by more than 30%, to 358 x 216 x 96mm (80mm). Sony says the weight has been shaved by 18% and 24% respectively as well. While the size has changed, the performance has not: this is all running the very same Zen 2 and RDNA2-powered hardware seen in all PS5 models thus far.
As for the updated design, there’s a reason for it: Sony has effectively turned the onboard Blu-Ray disc drive into a separate module, allowing those buying Digital Edition units at first an option to upgrade and swap it in at a small cost. It’s a neat design that promotes upgradability for those who don’t necessarily have the immediate budget to get the full-size option. (The module will cost $79.99 – no local pricing announced just yet.)
The refresh also brings a new horizontal stand, though unlike the vanilla model – you can’t use it to double up as a vertical stand. Instead, a new vertical stand, sold separately ($29.99), will be available – and it’ll be compatible with all PS5 models launched so far. The Deep Earth Collection console covers will be available for the redesign starting in early 2024, alongside the Matte Black cover (with prices from $54.99).
Finally, the price: the standard PS5 refresh will keep its MSRP of $499; though the Digital Edition will see a price bump, from $399 to $449. Sony is yet to announce pricing in Asian regions at the time of this writing.
Pokdepinion: Without looking at the dimension figures I really thought it’s just simply slimmer, not shorter. Good news that it’s smaller now, though.
