Highlights
- The slim version of the PS5 will soon be released, offering a more compact and sleek design compared to the original model, making it easier to fit into gaming setups.
- Sony is addressing the issue of limited storage capacity in the original PS5 by upgrading the slim models to have 1TB of storage, allowing players to keep more games on their console without needing additional storage.
- Gamers who choose the PS5 Digital Edition will have the option to purchase an attachable disc drive, enabling them to switch between digital and physical media without needing to buy a whole new console.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S are rapidly approaching the third year of their lifecycle. What once was next-gen hardware is now current-gen, and as is tradition with modern consoles, a slim version of the PS5 will soon be hitting store shelves. Many fans of Sony's newest gaming console have been hoping for a revised model of the PS5 ever since the system was revealed, as its form factor is a little more than cumbersome. With this surprise news, entertainment centers around the globe are about to have a lot more free space in just a few short weeks.
The PS5 has proven to be a technical powerhouse since its release in late 2020. From the PS5's lightning-fast SSD to the graphical capabilities of the console, Sony has set a new standard for modern gaming. The one hitch during the last three years, however, has been the PS5's unwieldy size. Not only is it simply large in both width and length, but its unorthodox shape makes it awkward to fit into some gaming set-ups. The new PlayStation 5 models look to remedy this issue once and for all, while also throwing in a handful of additional upgrades to the original version of the console.
A Slimmer PS5
Sony reports that the new PS5 models have been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and the difference is clear in images. The new, standard PS5 is in stark contrast to the current model, as the only thing that contributes to its size now is the disc drive. It juts out a little awkwardly, but there's still a noticeable difference from the original. The new PS5 Digital Edition is where the change is most clear, as the console looks almost as thin as the slim version of the PS4. If gamers are ready to ditch physical copies of video games, it looks like they'll get quite the sleek console for their efforts.
The New PS5 Digital Edition's Attachable Disc Drive
Making a commitment to only ever purchasing digital games is no easy decision, and Sony is giving gamers the option to change their mind if they buy the new PS5 Digital Edition model. Along with these new PS5 models, Sony is going to offer an attachable PS5 disc drive that can be easily added to the PS5 Digital Edition. That way if gamers need to return to physical media, be it games or DVDs, they can do so without needing to purchase a whole new console. This disc drive will retail for $79.99 USD, and appears to be identical to the new PS5, so the Digital Edition should maintain the other model's aesthetic.
The New PS5's Increased Storage
When the PS5 first launched, one of the few strikes against it was its storage capacity. Whereas 1TB of storage had become the standard with the PS4, the original model of the PS5 only has about 667GB of usable storage. The new slim PS5 models will now have 1TB of storage, letting players keep more games on their console without the need for additional storage. Considering a large portion of AAA games nowadays have file sizes that surpass 100GB, this should be a welcome upgrade for many gamers.
The PS5 has proven to be a major step up from the PS4, with its hardware and available software demonstrating just how much gaming has evolved over the last few years. With the imminent arrival of slim PS5 models, Sony is ushering in the next chapter of this console generation. The company announced that once all original models of the PS5 have sold, the slim models will be the only ones available. There's no clear projection for when that will happen, but when the time comes the PS5 will look quite different in many gamer's minds.
