It’s official: the mid-generation console refresh cycle has begun. Every console generation for at least the last 3 generations has featured one or more changes to the current consoles for sale to take advantage of cheaper components, more efficient manufacturing, and formfactor improvements as a way to sell more consoles. This generation’s first major refresh comes from Sony with the PlayStation 5 Slim.
In a post on the PlayStation blog, Sony revealed the new PS5 in all its glory and provided a myriad of details to show what is different about this version of the current PlayStation flagship. Size-wise, the new console has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models. It’s a little shorter, a little leaner, and a little lighter. It also includes 1 TB of storage on the internal hard drive. Perhaps most interesting in the changes is the ability to add a Blu-Ray drive down the road if you purchase the new PS5 Slim Digital Edition. The drive will attach in the same place as the disc version of the new console and will look identical once attached.
The new PlayStation 5 Slim will go on sale sometime in November. The disc version will retail for $499.99 and the digital version will list for $449.99. If you decide you want that disc drive later, it will cost you a cool $79.99 to add it to your console. The console comes with a horizontal stand and a vertical stand will be available for $29.99. Sometime in 2024, there will be new plates to customize your console as well. These will include an all-matte black option, as well as Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. The covers will run for $54.99. Sony also said in the blog post that once the current versions of the PS5 sell out, they will only be producing and selling this new version. So if you really want that original PS5 in all its giant glory, make sure you pick one up sooner than later.
Image from: PlayStation
