Introducing the Slimmer, Sleeker PS5: All You Need to Know
Sony has just made an exciting announcement on the PlayStation Blog – the launch of a new, slimmer-looking PS5 console! Scheduled to hit stores in November, this revamped version of the 2020 console comes with a detachable disc drive and a whopping 1TB SSD of internal console storage. But that’s not all – let’s dive into the details!
A Compact and Lightweight Design
The newest version of Sony’s console retains all the cutting-edge technology of the original PS5, but in a much smaller and lighter form factor. With a volume reduced by 30 percent and weighing 24 percent less, it promises a sleek and portable gaming experience. Furthermore, instead of two panels, the new PS5 boasts four separate cover panels, with a glossy top portion and a matte bottom.
Two Versions to Choose From
Sony is giving gamers the freedom to choose between two versions of the new PS5 console. Like its predecessor, it will be available with a disc drive as well as a disc drive-less ‘Digital Edition.’ The disc drive version will be priced at $499.99 USD, while the digital edition comes at a slightly lower price of $449.99 USD. It’s worth noting that the new PS5 consoles will eventually replace the original SKU once the initial stock is depleted.
Disc Drive Accessory for the Digital Edition
If you opt for the digital edition of the PS5, you can still play physical games by purchasing the disc drive accessory separately. Priced at $79.99 USD, this detachable disc drive allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. However, it’s important to consider the price increase for the digital version, making the disc drive edition $100 cheaper. Additionally, for those who prefer a vertical setup, Sony offers a stand accessory for $29.99 USD.
An Overview of the Specifications
Let’s take a closer look at the specifications for both the PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition:
PlayStation 5 specifications:
- External dimensions (excluding projecting parts): Approx. 358 × 96 × 216 mm (width × height × depth)
- Mass: Approx. 3.2 kg
- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen “Zen 2,” 8 Cores / 16 Threads, Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz
- GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine, Ray Tracing Acceleration, Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS)
- System Memory: GDDR6 16GB, 448GB/s Bandwidth
- SSD: 1TB, 5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw)
- PS5 Game Disc: Ultra HD Blu-ray, up to 100GB/disc
- BD/DVD drive: Disc Drive port equipped with Disc Drive
- Video Out: Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1)
- Audio: Tempest 3D AudioTech
- Input/Output Front of Console: USB Type-C port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps), USB Type-C port (Hi-Speed USB)
- Input/Output Back of Console: USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2
- Networking: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition specifications:
- External dimensions (excluding projecting parts): Approx. 358 × 80 × 216 mm (width × height × depth)
- Mass: Approx. 2.6 kg
- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen “Zen 2,” 8 Cores / 16 Threads, Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz
- GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine, Ray Tracing Acceleration, Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS)
- System Memory: GDDR6 16GB, 448GB/s Bandwidth
- SSD: 1TB, 5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw)
- PS5 Game Disc: Ultra HD Blu-ray, up to 100GB/disc
- BD/DVD drive: Disc Drive port
- Video Out: Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1)
- Audio: Tempest 3D AudioTech
- Input/Output Front of Console: USB Type-C port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps), USB Type-C port (Hi-Speed USB)
- Input/Output Back of Console: USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2
- Networking: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Release and Availability
The reveal of the new PS5 console design doesn’t come as a surprise, as rumors have been circulating since last year. In fact, Microsoft even mentioned it in their legal documents during the Activision Blizzard acquisition case this summer. While Microsoft predicted its release later this year, they missed the mark on the price, which was $50 off compared to the court document’s anticipated $399.99 USD price point. A specific release date for the PS5 “Slim” has not been announced, but it is expected to launch next month alongside PlayStation’s newest headset, earbuds, and the PlayStation Portal.
Exciting times lie ahead for gaming enthusiasts as Sony brings a slimmer and more compact version of their popular PS5 console. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to experience gaming in style!