The PS5 is a powerful and unique-looking machine, but not many people are fans of its size. This is why many gamers are waiting for the PS5 Slim to debut before purchasing their current-gen console.
It’s only a matter of time before the Japanese tech giant releases the smaller, sleeker version of the PS5. They’ve done it before, starting from the first PlayStation to the PlayStation 4. So, the PS5 Slim or PlayStation Slim will release. The question is, when?
PS5 Slim Release Date
Going by tradition, Sony usually releases their slimmer consoles around 3 years after the release of the big one.
Rumors and industry insiders suggest that the PS5 Slim Release Date would be in the middle of the 2023 financial year.
Of course, these are just well-calculated guesses at the moment. Sony hasn’t hinted about releasing the PlayStation 5 Slim yet. There is nothing concrete available as of now. We haven’t seen any teases, no Tweets by the company, or substantial leaks.
An industry insider and writer Tom Henderson posted about a newer version of PS5, possibly the PS5 Slim, to launch in Q3 2023. Tom also crunched some numbers that were later confirmed by Sony in a financial call. The Japanese giant is aiming to release 30 million consoles in the 2023 financial year. 18.5 million of which will be the newer model, which could be the PS5 slim. The older model is rumored to be phased out completely by the end of the 2023 financial year.
Both the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro were released in the same year, in 2016. In fact, their release was just 1 month apart, so we might also see a PS5 Pro soon after the release of the slim version. However, Sony might be done with the mid-generation update and would just release a slimmer refresh.
PS5 Slim: Expected Features
Here are all the revealed/expected features related to the upcoming PlayStation 5 Slim:
Detachable Disk Drive
Insider Gaming is reporting about a new PS5 console that is going to simply remove the disk drive. That’s just the digital PS5, right? Nope, this new version will have an extra USB Type C on the back to connect a detachable disk drive. That does sound like a great idea; you pay less if you just want a digital console and then upgrade if you want ta disk drive. This also removes the need of having two separate versions of the same console.
The new PS5 Slim with a detachable disk drive could also be a lot slimmer thanks to the non-inclusion of the disk drive.
Die Shrink
The new console is also said to get a die shrink, making it even smaller. The die shrink will also bring energy efficiency and lower power consumption. How Sony is going to make the die smaller remains to be seen, but it is going to perform better than the launch edition PS5.
Chassis D PS5
PS5 slip could also just be called a D Chassis PlayStation 5 instead of a PS5 slim. There have been three revisions of the PS5 console already. PlayStation 5 already had Chassis A, B, and C already in production. The 4th one which we are speculating on would be the PS5 Slim would be simply called Chassis D PS5 internally, the customers would only know it as the PS5.
Why Is PS5 Slim Important?
Cutting the size isn’t the only upgrade the Slim versions of PlayStations enjoy. Cutting the cost is another reason why people wait for the mid-generation upgrade, especially when it comes to Sony consoles.
Manufacturing costs will go down as production eases into a routine. The efficiency of the parts will also increase as technology advances, so Sony can make a smaller and slimmer PS5 that’s not only compact but also costs less.
This process of trimming down the excess weight has already started. The new models of the PS5 digital-only edition are lighter than the previous ones. The reduction is also pretty significant, trimming down 300 grams off the launch model. The company also redesigned the heat sink that still provides good cooling despite its lighter weight.
Sometimes the weight cuts mean cutting out features from the console, though. The PS4 Slim famously removed the optical port that was featured on the launch PS4 model. However, that was the only major feature cut from the updated slim version. Let’s hope Sony at least keeps all the major functions intact when they eventually take the PS5 to the chopping table.
The smaller die size combined with more efficient components would allow the PS5 Slim to take less power, output the same graphics, and remain cooler during peak performance. This also means the console won’t need to have extraordinary cooling to keep it from throttling.
People who don’t have a lot of space to store a frankly gigantic PS5, want to save a good chunk of money, or both, will have a keen interest in the PlayStation 5 Slim variant.
PS5 Slim Price
The Slim should be a little cheaper than the original PS5’s launch price of $499 / £449. The PS5 Slim Price should be around $399 / £349.
The PlayStation 5 Pro should launch at around the same price as the base PS5 model; $499 / £449. If you want to learn more about the PS5 Pro, we have a dedicated article detailing the PS5 Pro Release Date and Price.
Historically speaking, Sony launches its Slim consoles three years after the launch of the base models. They might take a little more time, though. The PS One Slim took 6 years, while PS2 Slim took 4. Both the PS4 and PS3 had their Slim versions out in three years, and we expect Sony to do the same with the PS5.
How “Slim” Will the PS5 Slim Be?
There is no saying how far Sony will go to make the console compact. However, it is going to be significantly smaller than the base PS5 to earn its name.
A Youtuber DIY Perks has already made their own version of a PS5 Slim, which looks fantastic. They also used a rather complicated cooling system to keep the temperatures low during peak performance.
Sony isn’t going to push the envelope that far, but any decrease in size would be a welcome change. While the base PS5 isn’t as big as usual gaming PCs, it still takes up a lot of vertical space when compared to older PlayStations and even the latest Xbox.
PS5 Slim Performance
Sony doesn’t increase performance in their Slim consoles. They keep everything compact, running at the same specs, and cooler, but they don’t necessarily increase the graphical output of the console.
Microsoft has done a minor power increase in the Xbox One S, but it is not as drastic as their Xbox One X. Similarly, Nintendo added a bit more power to their Nintendo 3DS.
We don’t see Sony pulling a similar move. At most, expect the console to run cooler and make less noise.
Should You Wait for the PS5 Slim?
That depends. If you are itching to play Sony games, then getting the PS5 base model makes perfect sense. You can even nab it at a slight discount when you purchase a bundle. That is, if you can find it in stock and in time.
However, if you’ve waited for this long, you can probably wait a year and a half more to get a smaller machine that works just as well.
I recommend saving up for the inevitable PS5 Pro. It will most likely launch at the same price as the base model and will have a lot more power. Even if you don’t need that much power, by then, the base model would be selling at a steep discount.
Conclusion
There isn’t any solid release date announced by Sony yet. However, we are sure it will be launching around Q3 2023 or at the very least early 2024.
The chip shortages, logistical challenges, the pandemic, and a general increase in gaming interest made the PS5 scarce. It took a while for most people to get their hands on the latest Sony console, and many are still waiting to get one. Hopefully, Sony has ironed out any challenges, and the new consoles will be readily available.
The PS5 Pro will also launch in the same window. So if you are looking for a much beefier console, I recommend waiting for that machine. The last generation, the PS4 Pro, launched 3 months after the PS4 Slim. The wait might be a tad bit longer this time too.
Until then, check out the best PS5 exclusives and the best Games Available on PS Plus Extra.
We will keep you posted if anything changes.
