PS5 vs PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

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Experience the evolution of PlayStation with the PS5 Slim. It is about 30% smaller in volume and weighs about 18% less than the original PS5. The PS5 Slim also has a removable disc drive, which is a new feature for the PS5.

The PlayStation 5 Slim was released on Wednesday, 29 November 2023, in the UK. This was during the Black Friday sale event, a smart move from Sony.

It is available for purchase from all major gaming retailers, including the PlayStation Store, Amazon, Very, EE Store, and Currys.

PS5 Slim vs PS5 comparison

Design

Both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Slim feature a sleek, minimalist design that complements any modern living space.

The original PlayStation 5 is a towering white monolith, measuring 390mm x 104mm x 260mm and weighing 4.5kg (disc version) or 4.5kg (digital version). 

In contrast, the PlayStation 5 Slim adopts a more compact and lightweight form factor, measuring 390mm x 92mm x 260mm and weighing 3.9kg (disc version) or 3.4kg (digital version). 

This reduction in size is attributed to the Slim’s improved internal design and heat management system, allowing for a more efficient and space-saving console. The Slim also features a slightly rounded top edge, giving it a softer and more approachable aesthetic compared to the original PlayStation 5’s sharp, angular design.

Performance

The PS5 Slim has the same CPU and GPU, the AMD Zen 2 8-core, and AMD RDNA 2 36 CUS with 10.28 TFLOPS, as the original PS5, so it performs identically in terms of gaming. 

However, the PS5 Slim does have slightly more storage space, with a 1TB SSD compared to the original PS5’s 825GB SSD.

Removable disc drive

One of the most notable features of the PS5 Slim is its removable disc drive. This is a significant improvement over the original PS5, which had a fixed disc drive. 

The removable disc drive allows gamers to easily swap out the drive if it becomes damaged or if they want to upgrade to a newer model. It also makes it possible to buy the PS5 Slim as a digital-only console, and later upgrade with a disc drive. 

This way, gamers are more flexible and can purchase games in whatever format they prefer.

Pros and cons of the PS5 Slim

Pros

• Smaller and lighter: It boasts a sleeker design, saving space and making it easier to move around.
• More storage: The base model comes with 1TB of storage compared to the original’s 825GB, giving you more breathing room for games.
• Improved features: It has a detachable disc drive for the Digital Edition, allowing you to add physical media functionality later if needed. It also replaces a USB-A port with a USB-C port for faster data transfer.
• Potentially quieter: The smaller chassis might lead to better cooling and quieter operation.

Cons

• No performance upgrade: It retains the same processing power and graphics as the original PS5.
• Price: The PS5 Slim costs slightly more than the original version on release, especially if you opt for the Digital Edition and then add on the detachable disc drive later.
• No vertical stand: You need to purchase a separate stand to use the Slim vertically, unlike the original PS5 which included one.

Overall, the PS5 Slim offers a more compact design with some improvements like increased storage and a detachable disc drive. However, there’s no significant performance boost, and it might cost slightly more depending on the configuration.

PS5 Slim price

In an interesting twist, the PlayStation 5 Slim – despite its leaner physique – actually carries a heftier price tag than its bulkier counterpart, the original PlayStation 5 at release. Typically, slim versions of consoles are expected to be more affordable, but in this case, Sony has bucked the trend.

The PlayStation 5 cost £449.99 for the Disc and £359.99 for the Digital edition when it was released in the UK in November 2020. 

The PlayStation 5 ‘slim’ version is available at the identical price as the current PS5 and PS5 digital versions. You can opt for the Slim model with:

• The integrated disc drive for £479.99 (this has been as low as £409 recently)
• Or select the digital-only version for £389.99

For those who opt for the latter but may want to expand their options in the future, you can add a disc drive to your Slim setup at a later date for an additional £99.

Other features

The PS5 Slim has the same features as the original PS5, including support for 4K HDR gaming, 120fps gaming, and ray tracing. It also has the same ports and connectivity options as the original PS5.

Feature	PlayStation 5	PlayStation 5 Slim
CPU	AMD Zen 2 8-core CPU	AMD Zen 2 8-core CPU
GPU	AMD RDNA 2 36 CUs, 10.28 TFLOPS	AMD RDNA 2 36 CUS, 10.28 TFLOPS
RAM	16GB GDDR6	16GB GDDR6
Storage	825GB SSD	1TB SSD
Expandable Storage	Yes	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes (Disc Version Only)	No (Digital Version Only)
Resolution	Up to 8K	Up to 8K
Frame Rate	Up to 120fps	Up to 120fps
Audio	Tempest 3D AudioTech	Tempest 3D AudioTech
Ports	HDMI 2.1, USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet	HDMI 2.1, USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet
Dimensions (Disc Version)	390mm x 104mm x 260mm	390mm x 92mm x 260mm
Dimensions (Digital Version)	390mm x 104mm x 260mm	390mm x 82mm x 260mm
Weight (Disc Version)	4.5kg	3.9kg
Weight (Digital Version)	4.5kg	3.4kg
Price (Disc Version)	£449.99 (on release)	£479.99
Price (Digital Version)	£359.99 (on release)	£389.99

Key differences of the PS5 Slim

The main difference is the Slim’s removable disc. It allows users to easily swap out the drive for more storage or to upgrade to a newer model. On top, gamers who’ll buy the Slim’s digital version ‘only’ can later upgrade their console with a disc drive.

Further differences to the PS5:

• Storage: The PlayStation 5 Slim has a larger SSD than the original PlayStation 5, with 1TB of storage compared to 825GB.
• Design: The PlayStation 5 Slim is smaller and lighter than the original PlayStation 5.
• Price: The PlayStation 5 Slim is available at a higher price than the original PlayStation 5 at its release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BU4VXofbQk

Should you buy the PS5 Slim?

Overall, the PlayStation 5 Slim is a good option for gamers who are looking for a smaller and lighter console with more storage and a detachable disc drive. However, if you are price-conscious, you can get away with buying the original PS5 for less but know that Sony no longer manufactures the original PS5, and you will be buying old stock.

It should also be mentioned that the PS5 Pro is potentially being released later this year during the holiday season, so you might want to wait for that, but be prepared to pay more than £500 for the pleasure.

Frequently asked questions about the PS5 Slim answered

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