PS5 Slim Release Date and Price Speculation: What to Expect?

Opinions on Sony’s PS5 are divided, with some appreciating its bold two-tone design. In contrast, others consider it significant and cumbersome, wishing for a more compact version known as the rumored PS5 Slim.

During the legal disputes between Microsoft and the FTC, a representative from Microsoft reportedly mentioned that Sony plans to release a PS5 Slim before the end of 2023.

Considering Microsoft’s statement, there may be some credibility to these rumors. If a slimmer PS5 does come to fruition, it is not expected to offer additional power or features compared to the standard PS5 or the PS5 Digital Edition.

However, for those who have yet to upgrade from the PS4 to the PS5, the PS5 Slim could be an appealing option if they are not fond of the current console’s appearance or have limited space in their entertainment center. Let’s explore what we know about the PS5 Slim.

PS5 Slim Release Date Speculation

While an official release date for the PS5 Slim has not been announced, rumors suggest it may become available sometime in 2023. Given that the PS5 will reach its three-year mark in November of this year, it would make sense for a redesigned model to be introduced after the console has matured and developers have become more familiar with its hardware.

Microsoft says, “PS5 Slim will join the handheld Project Q and release sometime in 2023.”

This familiarity often leads to better optimization, improving performance while consuming less power. Consequently, reduced power requirements allow for a smaller chassis with less need for component cooling. It’s important to note that these observations are based on educated speculation rather than direct insights from Sony.

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PS5 Slim Price Speculation

According to Microsoft, the anticipated price for the PS5 Slim is $400, which would align it with the PS5 Digital Edition, as the Slim version is expected to lack a disc drive.

This pricing seems reasonable, although it would be preferable if Sony could further reduce the price, especially considering potential cost savings from materials and the fact that the hardware would be approaching its third year.

However, Sony possesses a collection of exclusive PS5 titles that rely on the console’s power to run optimally, granting them a certain level of control over pricing.

Since its initial release, the PS5 has not seen a reduction in its launch price of $499, and it has even witnessed price increases in certain regions like the U.K., where it rose from £449 to £479.

Consequently, with price increases occurring a couple of years into the console generation when one would expect prices to decline, it is unlikely that the PS5 Slim will receive significant discounts. It won’t be as affordable as the $299 Xbox Series S.

How Does the PS5 Slim Differ From the Original PS5?

While the original PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition share identical hardware specifications, with the only distinction being the absence of a physical disc drive in the Digital Edition, the lower price point of the PS5 Slim suggests that the revised console version is making compromises to offer a more affordable option.

PS5 Slim Design Speculation

There haven’t been any leaked images or official announcements about the PS5 Slim, so our discussion here is purely speculative, based on concept renders and past trends.

The PS5 Slim might not include a Blu-ray disc drive, as this would increase the overall cost of the console. The current PS5’s futuristic, router-like design might be replaced with a more understated, rounded aesthetic.

It’s plausible to think of a design similar to the PS4 Slim, which favored rounded corners and a more compact form. Cooling systems and engineering advances could allow Sony to fit the PS5’s components into a significantly smaller casing.

However, this compact design might eliminate the possibility of adding a second SSD, as is possible with the current PS5, even though the process isn’t as simple as plug-and-play (refer to our guide on upgrading the PS5 internal storage).

As for the technical specifications, they’re likely to remain consistent with the current PS5 models. To reduce costs, the number of USB ports might be reduced. Sony might also consider increasing the console’s storage to 1TB or even more, especially now that the prices of PCIe 4.0 SSDs have decreased.

With improved cooling, Sony might be able to squeeze out a bit more performance from the AMD system-on-a-chip, although this is purely speculative and not something to bank on.

PS5 Slim Outlook