The real differences between the new PS5 Slim and Regular

It’s been three years since Sony launched its PlayStation 5 console and it seems the time’s come for the tech giant to take our money all over again.

Aiming to secure a place on the Christmas wish lists of gaming fans across the world, Sony finally responded to feedback about the PS5's large size and released a slimmer version, the PS5 Slim, in late November.

If you already bagged yourself one of these consoles the first time around, well, it might still be worth the upgrade as the new model does boast some fresh features.

Sony

So, let's explore what those differences are and why you might want to grab the PS5 Slim - even if you’re already the proud owner of a standard, bulkier PS5 console.

Of course, the main difference between the two PS5 models is the reduction in size, and the new PS5 Slim is indeed smaller than the original. Need to know the exact how much? Here they are in millimetres below.

Original PS5 (disc version): 104mm x 390mm x 260mm

PS5 Slim (disc version): 96mm x 358mm x 216mm

Original PS5 (digital version): 92mm x 390mm x 260mm

PS5 Slim (digital version): 80mm x 358mm x 216mm

If you want to be pedantic about it, that’s a 30% reduction in total volume for the PS5 Slim. However, a digital comparison by The Verge revealed that both new models are still larger than the Xbox Series X, making the "slim" console still quite substantial in size.

Sure, the slimmer PlayStation is mostly designed to be more compact than the original 2020 model, but it's not just about size.

The pricing of the new PS5 models is also different. The PS5 Slim with a disc drive is priced at $499, and without a disc drive at $449, which is actually $50 more than the original digital-only version.

The RRP prices at a glance are as follows, although take note that these could change depending on the particular deals that retailers have on at the time:

PS5 Slim (no disc drive): $449

PS5 Slim (with disc drive): $499

Original PS5 (no disc drive): $399

Original PS5 (disc drive): $499

Chesnot / Contributor

This pricing means that the digital-only PS5 Slim is slightly more affordable compared to the version with a disc drive, but not when compared to the original digital-only model launched three years ago.

When it comes to performance and storage, the new PS5 Slim model matches that of the original and so there's no difference in how games run across each of the console versions. However, the slimmer PS5s do offer a bonus of expanded storage, providing 1TB of built-in space compared to the original's 825GB.

And finally, when it comes to the disc drive, the PS5 Slim comes in two models: one with a built-in disc drive and a digital-only version. An optional detachable disc drive is available for $79.99, which was rumored over a year ago but - clearly - is now a reality.