For almost three decades, I’ve been immersed in the world of PlayStation consoles. This PS5 versus PS5 Slim comparison is designed to guide you in choosing the perfect console for your gaming needs.
With the recent unveiling of the PS5 Pro, the spotlight is back on Sony’s PlayStation lineup. This makes it an opportune moment to consider the slightly older, yet remarkably powerful, PS5 or its newer, leaner sibling, the PS5 Slim.
As potential deals emerge and price adjustments loom, understanding the nuances between the PS5 and PS5 Slim is crucial. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
PS5 Slim vs. PS5: Price Breakdown
To clarify the pricing structure, both the original PS5 and the PS5 Slim are available in two editions: a digital-only version and a standard version equipped with a disc drive.
Surprisingly, Sony has maintained the price point for the PS5 Slim models, rather than reducing them. The PS5 Slim with a disc drive remains at $499, while the digital-only PS5 Slim is priced at $449. Interestingly, this marks a $50 increase compared to the launch price of the original PS5 digital edition.
Here’s a clear price comparison:
- PS5 Slim Digital Edition: $449
- PS5 Slim Disc Edition: $499
- Original PS5 Digital Edition: $399 (original launch price)
- Original PS5 Disc Edition: $499
PS5 Slim Digital Edition $449.00 at Amazon
Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Edition $555.00 at Amazon
While the digital PS5 Slim offers a saving compared to its disc-drive counterpart, it’s more expensive than the original digital-only PS5 at launch. This pricing strategy is somewhat perplexing, especially as purchasing the digital PS5 Slim and then adding the detachable disc drive separately will actually cost you more than buying the disc-drive version outright.
My key piece of advice regarding price: if you’re looking for the most affordable entry into the PS5 ecosystem and are happy with a digital-only console, keep an eye out for deals on the original PS5 Digital Edition while stocks last. It’s crucial to note that once current inventories of the original PS5 models are depleted, the PS5 Slim will become the standard replacement on store shelves.
PS5 Slim vs. PS5: Size and Dimensions
The primary appeal of the PS5 Slim is, undoubtedly, its reduced size. Let’s examine the official dimensions provided by Sony to understand the scale of this change.
- Original PS5 (Disc Edition): 104mm (height) x 390mm (width) x 260mm (depth)
- PS5 Slim (Disc Edition): 96mm (height) x 358mm (width) x 216mm (depth)
- Original PS5 (Digital Edition): 92mm x 390mm x 260mm
- PS5 Slim (Digital Edition): 80mm (height) x 358mm (width) x 216mm
Credit: Sony
According to Sony’s official announcement, the PS5 Slim achieves approximately a 30% reduction in overall volume. While this is a significant decrease, it’s important to maintain perspective. The Verge’s digital size comparison reveals that both PS5 Slim models still occupy a larger footprint than the Xbox Series X.
Therefore, despite the “Slim” moniker, this console remains a substantial piece of hardware.
For a more detailed visual size comparison, I recommend checking out this insightful PS5 Slim vs. Regular PS5 size comparison post on Reddit.
PS5 Slim vs. PS5: Performance and Internal Specs
A crucial point to address is that the PS5 Slim is not a performance upgrade over the original PS5. This is not akin to the PS4 vs. PS4 Pro scenario where a mid-generation performance boost was introduced. Both the PS5 and PS5 Slim offer identical internal processing power and graphical capabilities. Games will perform exactly the same across all PS5 console models.
Credit: Sony
However, PS5 Slim owners do benefit from an increase in built-in storage. The original PS5 came with 825GB of onboard storage, expandable via external SSDs. The PS5 Slim increases this to a full 1TB of internal storage, giving you a bit more space for game installations, depending on game sizes.
PS5 Slim vs. PS5: Disc Drive and Additional Features
Similar to the original PS5 launch, the PS5 Slim is available in both disc and digital editions.
Credit: Sony
While there’s a dedicated PS5 Slim Disc Edition, the digital-only PS5 Slim offers an interesting feature: a detachable disc drive that can be purchased separately for $79.99. This modular disc drive provides flexibility for those who initially opt for the digital edition but later want to play physical games or Blu-ray discs.
It’s worth noting a minor change in packaging: unlike the original PS5, the PS5 Slim does not include a vertical stand in the box. However, many experienced gamers advocate for horizontal placement of the PS5 for optimal cooling and stability.
Topics: PlayStation
