Sony announces release of new PlayStation 5 Slim models just in time for the holiday season

Sony has announced a new PlayStation 5 model just in time for the holiday season.

Like with past consoles, the PS5 is getting a slimmed-down version. This redesign, which becomes available next month, reduces the size of the system by about 30%.

The PS5 Slim will become the new standard, as Sony says that once older 2020 models sell out the new slimmer versions will be the only one available for purchase. Two new accessories will also become available in tandem with the console, granting gamers a bit more room for customization.

While Sony has yet to reveal an exact rollout date, consumers in the U.S. can expect to see the new PS5 begin appearing at select retailers sometime next month.

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New Sony PlayStation 5 Slim specifications

According to Sony's official PlayStation blog, the new design comes with a few refreshes to the specs, though the changes are relatively small in comparison to tweaks made to slim models in the past.

According to Sony, the new PS5 has been "reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models."

The PS5 Slim comes in two iterations, one with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and a digital version without one. Both include 1 terabyte of storage on a removable solid state drive instead of 825 gigabytes, constituting the most significant adjustment. The disk version stands at about 14 inches tall by 4 inches wide by 8 ½ inches deep, while the digital version is about 14 inches by 3 inches by 8 ½ inches. These compare to the original PS5 with a Blu-ray drive measuring about 15.4 inches tall by 3 ½ wide by 10.2 inches deep.

There are a few aesthetic updates, mostly pertaining to the front and back cover panels that have been broken up into four different pieces "with the top portion in a glossy look, while the bottom remains in matte."

When will the new PS5 Slim be available?

The new slimmed down PlayStation is set to hit shelves in November. It will begin rolling out in select locations then continue to expand to global markets in the following months. It will also be online at direct.playstation.com where available.

Once inventory of the current PS5 model is sold out, the newer compact version will be the only one available.

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How much will the new PS5 Slim cost?

Unfortunately for bargain shoppers, the sleeker design does come with a higher price tag. While the cost of the Blu-ray Disc edition remains the same at $499.99, the digital edition will see a $50 increase from $399.99 to $449.99.

Those who like the option of a disk drive but are looking to stick to a tighter budget, however, could opt for the digital version and simply purchase the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive attachment for $79.99 at a later time.

The recommended prices for the new models:

• U.S.: PlayStation 5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive ($499.99); PS5 Digital Edition ($449.99).
• Europe: PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive (549.99 EUR); PS5 Digital Edition (449.99 EUR).
• U.K.: PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive (479.99 GBP); PS5 Digital Edition (389.99 GBP)
• Japan: PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive (66,980 JPY, includes tax); PS5 Digital Edition (59,980 JPY, includes tax)

Consumers can also opt to purchase a Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models for $29.99.