The PS5 Slim launched back in 2023, acting as a direct replacement to the original PS5 console, with the mid-cycle refresh seeking various tweaks to the design.
With Sony now phasing out the original PS5, the new Slim model will become the default option, available both with and without a disk drive. However, owners of the original may be considering upgrading to the Slim model, so it’s important to know the key differences between the two.
Having reviewed both iterations of the PS5 console, we’ve decided to create this comparison guide to explain exactly how they differ and whether it’s worth upgrading.
Price
The new PS5 Slim is available for £480/$500 with a disk drive, while the digital edition is priced at £390/$450. These are roughly the same prices that the original PS5 was available for before the introduction of the mid-cycle refresh.
Sony is now phasing out the original PS5 console, so it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a new unit online. When you can find the original, it doesn’t seem to be much cheaper than the Slim, although that may change during sale events as retailers attempt to clear stock of the outdated console.
Design
As its nickname indicates, the PS5 Slim is slimmer than the original, with Sony reducing the overall volume of the console by 30%. It’s now noticeably less chunky, making it easier to fit under your TV. By slimming down the plastic casing, Sony has also succeeded in making the PS5 Slim 24% lighter compared to its predecessor.
As well as the slim down making the PS5 Slim more practical, but it’s also a lot nicer on the eye. The PS5 Slim now looks curvier, while a stylish groove runs across its casing. You still get the glowing blue light when the console is turned on too.
Sony has now made the disk drive detachable too, so if you purchase the digital edition, you’ll still be able to buy the accessory and connect it to the console. With the original PS5, there was no way to attach the disk drive to the Digital Edition, so this is a welcome upgrade.
The ports have also been shifted around, so you now get two USB-C connections at the front rather than one USB-C and one USB-A. Sony has also shifted the placement of the eject button, which we’re relieved about since accidentally hitting the power button instead was a common occurrence.
Otherwise, everything is pretty much the same. The PS5 Slim still allows you to swap in new faceplates and install a secondary M.2 SSD to increase the storage space, while it comes bundled with the exact same DualSense controller.
Specs and performance
Sony has increased the storage capacity of the PS5 Slim compared to the original, now giving you 1TB of space compared to 825GB. This is a very welcome upgrade, although it’s not really enough to justify an upgrade, especially when you can already expand the capacity with an M.2 SSD.
In terms of performance, the specs are identical. It’s the same AMD processor running the show, so there’s no uplift in processing speeds or graphics power. This means games should run the exact same as they do on the original PS5, with support for a 4K resolution and ray tracing.
Many were worried that the PS5 Slim would be more prone to overheating or whipping up loud fan noise, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. During our testing, we didn’t notice much of a difference between the PS5 Slim and original.
The PS5 Slim supports the exact same library of games as its predecessor, as well as the same accessories such as the PlayStation VR 2 and PlayStation Portal. Strangely, Sony hasn’t added its new wireless technology, PlayStation Link, to the PS5 Slim so you’ll still need to plug in an adapter for new headphones such as the PlayStation Pulse Elite and PlayStation Pulse Explore.
Verdict
There really isn’t much separating the PS5 Slim from the original PS5. The reduction in size and weight is welcome, not just because it looks better but because it’s easier to fit in your cabinet. The detachable disk drive provides more flexibility, while the increased storage allows you to squeeze on more games.
However, there’s no performance increase here or additional features, so it’s difficult to justify an upgrade unless you really, really like the new design. But if you’re yet to purchase a PS5, then the new Slim model is a no-brainer, as it has all of the same features as the original, but with a few improvements at no extra cost. Check out our Best Games Console guide for more options.
