Sony PS5 Slim Review – Thinner, Lighter Yet Powerfull

Experience next-gen power in a sleeker package – PS5 Slim: Compact design, uncompromised performance.

The PS5 stands out as an exceptional gaming console, giving unparalleled power and an vast library of both first- and third-party games. However, its size has been a notable drawback for many users. But worry not! PS5 Slim, a sleeker and more compact version is here to replace its hefty predecessor. With its reduced dimensions and lighter build, the PS5 Slim offers improved storage options and a more modular design, facilitating easier SSD drive swaps and faceplate changes.

While the need for a separate stand may be necessary for vertical positioning, the system’s stability is notably enhanced. Despite these alterations, the PS5 Slim maintains the outstanding performance, intuitive user interface, and expansive game library of its predecessor, making it a compelling option for both existing PS5 owners and those considering entering the PlayStation ecosystem.

In this review, we’ll checkout the significant changes introduced by the PS5 Slim, while highlighting its continuity with the original PS5’s interface, game selection, and the innovative DualSense controller. You can also checkout our other review in which we have talked about PS5 in detail and also about PS5 pro in detail.

PS5 Slim Specs Overview

Design

The newer PS5 is smaller than the original one, but not by much, so it’s still not super easy to find a good spot for it. It measures 14.1 by 3.8 by 8.5 inches, a bit skinnier on all sides compared to the first PS5, which was 15.4 by 4.1 by 10.2 inches. It’s not as different as the PS4 Slim, though.

The design of the new PS5 looks a lot like the old one, with curved white panels around a black center. The panels still have that raised edge look, but it’s not as noticeable. The lights on the sides still change colors to show if the console is on or off. The main difference is the black stripes running across the white panels.
You’ll still find the power button, two USB ports on the front, and the Blu-ray drive on the side.

The USB port on the front is best for controllers and simple things, while the ones on the back are better for other stuff. The back also has an Ethernet port where you plug in the power cable. The big change is that now both USB ports on the front are USB-C instead of having one of each type.

Hardware

The new PS5 boasts a significant enhancement in storage capacity compared to its predecessor. With a 1TB SSD, users now have around 848GB of usable space, a substantial increase from the original model’s 667GB. Like the first version, the new PS5 allows additional storage expansion through its M.2 SSD slot, although Sony has yet to confirm the details of the upgrade process.

Another notable improvement is the modular design of the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive. While the new PS5, like its predecessor, offers options with or without the disc drive, the latest iteration allows for separate purchase and attachment of the drive. Priced at $79.99, this upgrade option provides flexibility for users who initially opt for the digital-only version but later decide to add the disc drive. Despite the slightly higher cost than the disc-equipped PS5, this approach offers a more cost-effective solution in the long run and allows easy replacement if the drive fails.

Internally, the new PS5 retains the same components as its predecessor, including the AMD Zen 2 CPU, RDNA 2 GPU, 16GB of GDDR6 RAM, Wi-Fi 6, and gigabit Ethernet. Its graphical capabilities, such as ray tracing and support for up to 8K output, remain unchanged.

The DualSense controller bundled with the new PS5 remains unchanged from the original version. It offers advanced features such as adaptive triggers, motion control, and realistic vibration feedback. However, its battery life, averaging around 10 hours between charges, falls short of competitors like the Switch Pro Controller and Xbox Wireless Controller, which offer approximately 40 hours of usage.

Performance

The PS5 Slim is mostly the same as the older model, with the exception of a bigger 1TB SSD. The AMD Ryzen Zen 2 CPU and 16GB of GDDR6 memory are also inside this system. You can’t use the latest Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 standards because the internals are the same. You remain stuck with Wi-Fi 6.

Comic-Con’s Spider-Man 2 and Street Fighter 6 work great on the PS5 Slim. I had the same lightning-fast speed and load times with this unit as I did with the older console. Like many other PS5 games, these ones have performance modes that prioritize better frame rates over resolution. I like playing this way best because everything moves and feels so smooth.

In general, if you liked how well the PS5 worked, the PS5 Slim won’t let you down. It’s still one of the strongest systems out there.

Modularity

Like the old PS5, you can change the SSD in this one. Besides that, you can also take out the disc drive from a regular PS5 Slim. If you have the Digital Edition, you can add a separate $80 disc drive.

It’s easier to take off the faceplate that covers the SSD on the PS5 Slim than on the larger model. That’s because you only need to take off one small cover, not two big ones. To get rid of the screws that are holding the SSD in place, you’ll need a screwdriver. Other than that, the process is pretty easy.

It’s also easy to take out the optical disc drive; all you have to do is snap it off with a little force. That’s great, but I don’t see why someone would want to get rid of the disc drive. Without a disc drive, the PS5 Slim is a little lighter. The faceplate is designed to hold an optical drive, so where the drive slot used to be, there is now a huge hole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the PS5 Slim emerges as the Sony console that should have debuted at the onset of this gaming generation. Beyond the aesthetic changes, the PS5 Slim retains the outstanding performance, including speedy processing and ray-tracing capabilities, along with an extensive library of remarkable games.

The increased storage capacity and modularity of the updated system add further value, even though opting for the Digital Edition incurs an additional cost. Despite minor reservations, the PS5 Slim stands as a commendable update to Sony’s popular console lineup. Existing PS5 owners may not find an urgent need to upgrade, but for newcomers to the PlayStation ecosystem or those still using a PS4, the PS5 Slim presents an excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts.