Is a PS5 Slim on the Horizon?

The PlayStation 4 Pro was released three years after the vanilla PS4 hit the shelves. So, isn’t the PS5 due for a mid-lifecycle refresh? It does and it may just be that both the PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim will be released. This is an article that focuses on the PS5 Slim, its release date (If any), pricing, and specs. Learn more about Sony’s next line of consoles today.

Also Read: Will There Be a PS5 Pro?

History Tends to Repeat Itself

Yes, history tends to repeat itself every time. The PS4 was released in 2013 and three years later, the PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim arrived. Yes, all three consoles were released in September so it’s not a coincidence. Also, Sony used the same formula with the PS3, releasing the fat version in 2006 and the slim version in 2009. The cherry on top is that even the PS1 and PS2 consoles followed this secret recipe. 

A Slim Breakthrough 

The digital version of the PS5 is being trimmed down by 300 grams! Below 100 grams is negligible, but 300? We’re impressed which makes the future of the PS5 Slim exciting. The PS5 Slim will be built using the best technology available, including the latest chip fabrication technology. This means it’ll be lighter than the previous model while costing less. Any limitations of the PS5 Slim compared to the vanilla PS5 will be announced by Sony.

The PS5 will also be more power-efficient which will surely help with the bills in the long run. Also, the PS5 Slim may be able to stand straight up without the need for a stand. What’s more — The PS5 Slim may come with the newly patented detachable disc drive that Sony announced recently. This means that the regular PS5 version will be phased out of the market over time.

Slimmer and Easier to Ship

Because the PS5 Slim will weigh less than the standard version, shipping costs will be cut down. So, the previous PS5 scarcity that hit fans after Covid-19 can be reduced or removed entirely. 

Why the PS5 Slim May Be Slimmer? The Technical Bits

The current PS5 uses 7nm processors which seemed small until TMSC announced their new 3nm processors. Sony sourced these chips from AMD so it’s only logical for the popular chip maker to use TMSC’s new processors for the PS5 Slim. The reduced size to 3nm will save a lot of space and thus, reduce the heatsink which helps the current PS5 run as quietly as possible.

PS5s nowadays use AMD’s Zen 2 Architecture which was released in 2019. Fast forward a few years and AMD has announced the Zen 4 Architecture. Using the newest architecture in the upcoming PS5 consoles will help with the power consumption while increasing the PS5’s processing capabilities. Also, the PS5 Slim will be backwards compatible like its older brother. A switch to a new architecture will push developers to learn the PS5 chip architecture again. 

Likewise, players might see an increase in the RAM which will help the PS5 keep up with future games. An increased RAM will lessen the load on the SSD allowing players to experience even faster loading times (Among others). 

The Pricing 

The PS4 cost $349/£399 when it was released while the PS4 Slim was cheaper by $100 at launch. After three years, parts for making the PS4 got cheaper so the PS4 Pro was sold at £349/$399. Now, when the PS5 was initially released, it cost £459/$499 for the disc version at launch while the digital version cost £360/$399. But after blaming the exchange rates and the price inflation of parts all around the world, Sony increased the price of the PS5 by £/$50. 

So the volatility of the PS5’s price all over the world makes it hard to predict the price. But if we could hazard a guess, we would say the PS5 Slim should be less than £/$400. Parts for making these machines haven’t exactly gotten cheaper anywhere in the world. So, the standard PS5 hasn’t dropped in price (Quite the contrary!). 

Our Contradiction — A Watered-Down Version of the PS5

The PS5 Slim may be a less powerful version of the PS5 just like the approach that Xbox took with the Series S and X. Unreal Engine 5 was showcased recently and if that’s the future of gaming, the PS5’s potential is untapped. Developers are barely scratching the surface of what the game console is capable of. But already, there are lots of PS5 co-op games to try out. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will There Be a Slim Digital Version of the PS5?

Of course, it makes sense to release the digital version of the PS5 Slim but the decision is entirely up to Sony and whether their brilliance is up to par. A digital PS5 Slim may encourage the console manufacturer to release a digital version of the PS5 Pro. But that means they may release up to four consoles which makes sense because the Xbox Series S is available for £299/$370. So, they need to be competitive so they won’t lose out on that consumer class. 

Should I Wait for the PS5 Slim?

Yes, it may be better to wait for the PS5 Slim or even the Pro version if you haven’t purchased the vanilla version already. This is because the slimmer versions of PlayStation consoles are known to get lighter, cheaper, and better. At this point for the video game console maker, it’s all gains so they can afford to make it cheaper than the vanilla version. Eventually, more households will have a Sony PS5 console.

Which PS5 Version Is Better?

If there’s the option to get a PS5 Slim or Pro, it would be better to get those. But between the digital and disc versions of the vanilla PS5, we would go for the disc version. Both versions offer the same processing and graphical capabilities, but players shouldn’t miss out on buying discs. A lot of old titles that were released for the PS4 are available in the used video game CD marker. You just have to tap into it.