Sony Confirms PlayStation 5 Slim for Holiday Season Release
Sony has officially announced the heavily rumored PlayStation 5 slim, which is set to be released during this year’s holiday season. The new design offers several improvements and options, providing greater choice and flexibility for players.
One of the major enhancements in the smaller PS5 model is an increased storage capacity. The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition now come with 1TB of storage, compared to the original versions’ 825GB. Additionally, the new model allows users to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive to the PS5 Digital Edition.
Sid Shuman, Senior Director of SIE Content Communications, stated that Sony created this new PS5 to meet the evolving needs of players. He emphasized that the compact form factor still includes the same advanced technology features that make the PS5 the best console to play on.
Sony confirmed that the new PS5 has been reduced in volume by over 30% and is lighter by 18% and 24%, respectively, compared to the previous models. The console features four separate cover panels, with a glossy look on the top portion and a matte finish on the bottom. For those who purchase the PS5 Digital Edition, the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive can be added later at an additional cost.
The new PS5 model will be available starting in November in the United States at select local retailers and on the official PlayStation website. It will subsequently roll out globally in the following months. Once the inventory of the current PS5 model is depleted, the new PS5 will become the only available option.
Sony has released the recommended retail prices for the new PS5 models, varying by region. In the United States, the PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive will cost $499.99, while the PS5 Digital Edition will be priced at $449.99. In Europe, the prices are 549.99 EUR and 449.99 EUR, respectively. The UK prices are set at £479.99 for the disc drive version and £389.99 for the Digital Edition. In Japan, the prices are 66,980 JPY (includes tax) for the disc drive version and 59,980 JPY (includes tax) for the Digital Edition.
It is worth noting that the PS5 Digital Edition has experienced a price increase with the introduction of the slim version. The original PS5 Digital Edition was priced at $399.99, whereas the slimmer version now costs $449.99. Consequently, the disc drive version of the slim PS5 is $50 more expensive than the Digital Edition.
The new PS5 model includes a horizontal stand, and a vertical stand compatible with all PS5 models can be purchased separately. The price for the vertical stand will be $29.99.
The article also mentions the specifications for both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition models, detailing the console’s dimensions, CPU, GPU, system memory, and storage capacities, among other features.
Industry experts have provided insights into Sony’s strategy. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, noted that the introduction of the slim PS5 Digital Edition suggests Sony’s focus on increasing digital software sales. Piers Harding-Rolls, a games industry analyst at Ampere, expects a larger share of total sales for the new Digital Edition, which will drive more revenue for Sony through digital game sales.
The PlayStation 5 slim’s release is highly anticipated by gamers worldwide, and Sony aims to cater to their evolving needs and preferences with this new model.