Deciding between the PS5 and the PS5 Slim can be a bit of a challenge, especially with the recent release of the PS5 Pro. If you’re eyeing the powerful yet slightly older PlayStation consoles, now might be a golden opportunity. As you weigh the odds, it’s wise to understand what exactly you’re signing up for, and, of course, what you might be missing, without these sleek gaming machines. Let’s jump in.
Price Considerations:
The pricing aspect of the PS5 versus the PS5 Slim line is interesting. Sony offers two versions for both: a digital-only model without a disc drive and one with a disc drive. However, despite the expectation, they haven’t slashed the prices on the PS5 Slim models. The Slim version with a disc drive remains at $499, while the digital version is tagged at $449, which actually edges up $50 compared to the initial PS5 digital model.
- PS5 Slim (no disc drive): $449
- PS5 Slim (with disc drive): $499
- Original PS5 (no disc drive): $399
- Original PS5 (with disc drive): $499
Clearly, the digital-only PS5 Slim is more economic than its disc-drive counterpart, but it doesn’t quite beat the launch price of the original 2020 model. Curiously, buying the digital Slim and later adding a disc drive will cost more than buying a Slim with the drive right from the start. There’s no good rationale for this.
So, if you’re aiming for the $399 mark, act fast. Once all the original models are off the shelves, the newer slims will be your only options.
Sizing Up:
Gamers are typically laser-focused on size, and here’s what you need to know. The new PS5 Slim is indeed more compact than its predecessor. Here’s how the measurements stack up:
- Original PS5 (disc version): 104mm (height) x 390mm (width) x 260mm (depth)
- PS5 Slim (disc version): 96mm (height) x 358mm (width) x 216mm (depth)
- Original PS5 (digital version): 92mm x 390mm x 260mm
- PS5 Slim (digital version): 80mm x 358mm x 216mm
Sony’s cut down the total volume by about 30%, which is notable, yet both new models remain larger than the Xbox Series X, according to The Verge. So, "slim" is a relative term here. If you’re curious, there’s a great visual comparison available on Reddit.
Performance & Storage:
Now, if you’re worried about performance drops, breathe easy. The internal components of the PS5 and PS5 Slim are identical, so you won’t find differences in gameplay. This isn’t like the jump from PS4 to PS4 Pro; performance remains consistent across the board.
There is, however, a storage boost: the newer PS5 models come packed with a full 1TB of storage compared to the 825GB found in the originals. This bump may allow for a handful of extra games, depending on size.
Disc Drive Details:
Much like in 2020, the PS5 Slim models split into two options – one with a disc drive and a purely digital one. Interestingly, there’s also an optional detachable disc drive up for grabs at $79.99. It’s quirky in appearance but functional, making it a worthwhile purchase for those who still treasure physical media.
It’s also important to highlight that the PS5 Slim does not include a vertical stand, a stark difference from the original. Still, many gamers may tell you it’s best to lay your console horizontally anyway.
Whatever your choice might be, keeping these key differences in mind will help you select the right fit for your gaming needs.
