PS5 Slim overview: Two-minute overview
The PS5 Slim picks up the place the unique launch mannequin of the PS5 left off and affords an excellent current-generation gaming expertise. Including a few quality-of-life enhancements to the unique and shrinking the footprint proper down, whereas sustaining the superb efficiency and experiences you’d anticipate from a PS5, means that is nonetheless one of many very best gaming consoles to purchase.
The PS5 Slim launched on the similar worth that the unique launch mannequin PS5 had. This differs from the final technology when the PS4 Slim arrived with a barely lower cost tag, which was very welcome on the time. Whereas that’s disappointing, the PS5 Slim is now the dominant variant of the console – coming in each disc and digital editions too -and reductions and offers are actually frequent. As such, whereas we heartily suggest it at its listing worth, it will possibly supply distinctive worth for cash.
The largest modifications with the PS5 Slim are certainly as its title would indicate: its small footprint and kind issue imply the PS5 Slim is round 30% smaller, which is welcome given the unique’s heft. It’s of the identical design language, however not precisely the identical both. Whereas the type of the PS5 Slim nonetheless options the fanned, bigger finish, the console’s shell is now cut up by a niche (‘stuffed in’ by the black plastic of the console’s fundamental physique beneath), making for 4 separate plates.
One small distinction is the entrance ports each being USB-C on the Slim too, buying and selling the launch mannequin’s USB-A port for the second USB-C one. And aside from a barely bigger laborious drive – the PS5 Slim sports activities a 1TB SSD versus the unique’s 825GB – it has the an identical PS5 specs inside it that provide that fantastic efficiency we’re used to from Sony’s present console. You’ve additionally received a number of customization choices with the PS5 Slim, due to Sony releasing a large variety of totally different console covers that may be simply slotted on.
It’s that efficiency, mixed with the brand new design, that makes the PS5 Slim really easy to suggest. PS5 video games run like a dream and with a library that’s larger than ever, now affords extra adventures than earlier than. Sony’s first-party titles specifically are dreamy from a efficiency standpoint – whether or not you like decision and element or body fee pace and smoothness. PlayStation 4 video games additionally nonetheless run like a dream which suggests your backlog may be taken onto PS5 Slim with ease. The DualSense Wireless controller continues to be the identical authentic one which is nice for the haptic options that assist make the PS5 stand out, however its battery life continues to be underwhelming.
The PS5 Slim doesn’t reinvent the PS5 by any means – that evolution is dealt with by the brand new PS5 Pro – however its new design makes it an exceptionally modern model of Sony’s current-gen machine. With the identical nice efficiency, high quality {hardware} and specs, and a larger-than-ever library, it’s a simple console to suggest.
PS5 Slim overview: Worth and availability
- Record worth: $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799 (disc) / $449.99 / £389.99 / AU$679.99 (digital)
- Launched on November 10, 2023
- Similar worth as the unique PS5; common affords are sometimes obtainable
The PS5 Slim is now the default PlayStation 5 mannequin and is extensively obtainable in each area, changing the launch mannequin virtually completely. It took over the identical worth level and is thus a straight swap.
Nonetheless, for the reason that PS5 launched, a number of areas have been hit by PS5 worth rises (typically a number of worth rises) and the PS5 Slim represents the newer, adjusted worth factors in these nations, not the unique one. The US worth has remained the identical, nonetheless. Offsetting this considerably, now we’re into the console’s fifth 12 months, is that offers and reductions on the PS5 Slim have gotten extra frequent, with genuinely good bundles and affords being placed on by Sony itself, in addition to varied retailers.
Out there, it’s priced virtually identically to the Xbox Series X console, which has additionally seen some regional worth rises. The PS5 Slim Digital Version additionally now has direct competitors from an Xbox Series X Digital Edition console however undercuts its Microsoft counterpart in worth significantly.
Inside the PlayStation 5 ecosystem itself, we now have the PS5 Professional to issue into the equation. Coming in at a mighty $699.99 / £699.99 the Professional is significantly dearer than the Slim, and its efficiency and advantages are a bit extra area of interest, and for an fanatic viewers. Consequently, the PS5 Slim affords good worth in relation to its extra highly effective brethren, given the experiences it affords are nonetheless glorious.
PS5 Slim overview: Specs
| Worth | $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95 (Disc) / $449.99 / £389.99 / AU$679.99 (Digital) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 14.1 x 3.8 x 8.8in / 358 x 97 x 224mm |
| Weight | 7.1lbs / 3.2kg |
| Storage capability | Customized 1TB SSD |
| Storage enlargement | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; exterior storage through USB |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| CPU | 8-core / 16 threads, AMD Zen 2 @ 3.5GHz |
| GPU | 10.28 TFLOPS, AMD Radeon, RDNA-based graphics engine |
| Reminiscence/RAM | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Upscaling | N/A |
| Ports | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Ethernet, 2 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A |
PS5 Slim overview: Design & options
- Slick and stylish design, extra compact than that of the unique
- Removable disc drive, and glorious controller
- Large selection of replaceable console covers for personalization
The principle promoting level of the PS5 Slim is certainly in its design, aesthetic, and kind issue. Sony has a historical past of constructing refined, smaller, and slimmer variations of all its house consoles. so the PS5 getting the trimming-the-fat remedy was anticipated – and it delivers too, coming in at round 30% smaller than the launch mannequin PS5.
There’s an identical design language right here, nonetheless, with a flare remaining at one finish (for the followers) and the sweeping curves of the PS5 {hardware} household stay throughout the Slim, making for a slick-looking kind. The console’s covers are actually in 4 components, not two, with a niche between the plates forming a hanging ‘black’ line throughout each the console’s prime and backside.
These, like the unique, may be eliminated and swapped for others that Sony has made (or different third-party ones, should you fancy), that means there are many customization choices to personalize your PS5 Slim. The disc drive is removable by default too, so should you purchase a digital variant and later resolve so as to add a disc drive then that’s some further flexibility proper there.
Whereas the vertical stand for the PS5 Slim is a nicer-looking, slicker metallic ring, in comparison with the unique’s cumbersome black plastic mannequin, it doesn’t include the console by default which is a mark towards the console’s worth. For those who do purchase the stand, the result’s a console that appears sharper when standing upright in comparison with its predecessor. For those who keep on with horizontal orientation, you’ll be able to depend on the 2 small cheapish-lookin plastic toes which can be offered.
By way of options current on the Slim, it’s precisely the identical, spec-wise, as the unique mannequin aside from two minor quality-of-life amendments; one inside, one exterior. The inner change is that of a lift to storage, with the PS5 Slim being outfitted with a 1TB SSD in comparison with the launch mannequin’s customized 825GB drive.
PS5 Slim overview: Efficiency
- Wonderful gaming experiences and efficiency
- Haptics and triggers on the DualSense are very good
- Improbable interface and intuitive consumer expertise
Very like how the unique PS5 received us over with its glorious gaming efficiency, the PS5 Slim continues that and affords the identical breathtaking experiences. The best PS5 games run fantastically with adventures reminiscent of God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, Astro Bot, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 being explicit first-party highlights that basically reap the benefits of the PS5’s {hardware}.
PS4 games run like a dream on the PS5 Slim too, and the identical backward compatibility stage with the earlier gen’s discs and digital titles stays a easy a part of the day-to-day PS5 expertise. I’ve been revisiting Doom (2016) not too long ago, for instance, and the additional increase to loading instances specifically makes it a pleasure to play. The PS5 Recreation Increase mode will even enhance efficiency throughout the board (in precept) for PS5 video games, and makes some video games run smoother, with sooner body charges, or in increased decision – or a mix of all of these.
You possibly can even expertise older video games in your PS5 with the up to date and trendy association of Sony’s PS Plus subscription. The highest premium stage may give you entry to PS3 sport streaming from the cloud, in addition to some choose PS1 and PS2 video games to obtain. Whereas maybe not fairly as beneficiant or deep as Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, a PS Plus subscription does make the expertise of getting a PS5 Slim even higher and feels important.
On that word of streaming and downloading video games, it’s value noting that in all my testing, on Wi-Fi and Ethernet, I nonetheless by no means get near my precise obtain pace on the PS5. That is one thing I’ve skilled on each PS5 I’ve owned sadly, and never an issue on Xbox Collection X.
On a sensible efficiency stage, utilizing the PS5 Slim is a pleasure too. It’s extremely easy to arrange, and switch information from one to a different if want be, and eradicating the console covers to entry the M.2 PS5 SSD slot or change them completely may be very simple, and fairly satisfying. The additional USB-C port and barely bigger SSD signifies that day-to-day utilization is improved too, and advantages the entire expertise.
The DualSense, whereas precisely the identical because it was in 2020 – there’s no V2 like there was with the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller, sadly – stays completely glorious. Whereas a usually prime gamepad, the haptic suggestions and adaptive triggers proceed to really feel good. The PS5 Slim is appropriate with all PS5 (and virtually all PS4) equipment too, so should you personal any from a earlier machine from this or final technology then these will be capable of be used on a PS5 Slim.
That is made further easy as a result of the UI and operating system structure are an identical to the launch PS5 – and PS5 Professional. Navigating the PS5 Slim, from video games to screenshots, and from streaming apps to save lots of information and deeper settings is easy and intuitive. There are additionally now extra customization choices on supply with the UI being honed and enhanced for the reason that launch mannequin’s preliminary launch.
Thus, the PS5 Slim is a simple advice. It’d be a simple advice if the launch mannequin of the PS5 existed nonetheless, however now that it has taken over the place of the ‘customary’ console from its predecessor – and improved on it barely – it’s the simplest current-gen console advice I could make proper now.
Ought to I purchase the PS5 Slim?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally think about…
For those who’re nonetheless undecided about committing to the PS5 Slim, then listed here are two high-quality alternate options to think about for console gaming in 2025.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | PS5 Slim | PS5 Professional | Xbox Collection X |
| Worth | $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95 (Disc) / $449.99 / £389.99 / AU$679.99 (Digital) | $699.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,199 | $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799 |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 14.1 x 3.8 x 8.8in / 358 x 97 x 224mm | 15.2 x 3.5 x 8.5in / 388 x 89 x 216mm | 5.9 x 5.9 x 11.9in / 151 x 151 x 301mm |
| Weight | 7.1lbs / 3.2kg (Disc) / 5.7lbs / 2.6kgs (Digital) | 6.8lbs / 3.1kg | 9.8lbs / 4.5kg |
| Storage capability | Customized 1TB SSD | Customized 2TB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Storage enlargement | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; exterior storage through USB | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; exterior storage through USB | Storage card enlargement slot; exterior storage through USB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 7, ethernet, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6, ethernet |
| CPU | 8-core / 16 threads, AMD Zen 2 @ 3.5GHz | 8 core / 16 thread AMD Zen 2 | 8 x Zen 2 core |
| GPU | 10.28 TFLOPS, AMD Radeon, RDNA-based graphics engine | 16.7 TFLOPs, AMD Radeon, RDNA-based graphics engine | 12 TFLOPs, Customized RDNA 2 |
| Reminiscence/RAM | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 / 2GB DDR5 | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Upscaling | N/A | PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Tremendous Decision Upscaling) | Some FSR-compatible video games |
| Ports | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Ethernet, 2 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Ethernet, 2 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Ethernet, 3 x USB-A, 1 x storage enlargement |
How I examined the PS5 Slim
- Examined over the course of months, changing my authentic PS5
- In comparison with PS5 Professional and launch PS5
- Used it a number of days every week for months taking part in a wide range of video games, transferring knowledge, and with a variety of equipment
I’ve examined and lived with the PS5 Slim for a number of months now with it being my workplace PS5, and common ‘regular’ PS5 console (alongside my fundamental PS5 Professional machine). Consequently, it’s been used for testing {hardware}, and video games, and has been used for normal gaming of PS5 and PS4 titles in my very own time when not utilizing my PS5 Professional.
I’ve been capable of evaluate it to my PS5 Professional, in addition to the unique PS5 mannequin I’ve owned from bodily footprint and design to efficiency and on a regular basis use. I’ve engaged with the console on a number of ranges; utilizing the SSD bay, utilizing it in each horizontal and vertical positions, and in addition altering the console covers from white to Volcanic Purple.
I’ve performed each digital and disc video games on the console together with an Acer Predator X32QFS 4K gaming monitor, and I’ve examined a number of equipment with the PS5 Slim together with a SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset, a Sabrent M.2 PS5 SSD, and Seagate Game Drive external SSD for PlayStation.
First reviewed October 2024-January 2025