Sony is preparing to refresh its PlayStation 5 range for the holidays, with the long-rumored slimmer PS5 redesign confirmed to be released next month. Sony unveiled new PS5 models late Tuesday, showcasing design changes that make the console smaller and lighter. While the PS5 slim’s processing power and graphics capabilities remain the same as the original PS5, the mid-gen console update has slightly smaller form factors than its notoriously bulky predecessor, but the internal storage capacity does increase from 825GB to 1TB with a custom SSD. The PS5 slim also has the option of adding an external UHD Blu-ray disc drive to its digital version of the console. It is worth noting that the redesigned PS5 slim disc version remains priced at $499.99 (approximately Rs. 41,615), but the price of the digital version has increased by $50, from $399 to $449.99 (approximately Rs. 37,452).
“To meet the changing needs of gamers, our engineering and design teams collaborated to develop a new form factor that provides more choice and flexibility,” said Sid Shuman, senior director of content communications at SIE, on PlayStation. blog. He added that compared to the original PS5, the new PS5 is more than 30% smaller and 18% and 24% lighter. The side panels on the console have also been redesigned, with the two covers split into four separate removable entities. These allow you to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc drive, which will be sold separately on the PS5 Digital Edition at a later date for $79.99 (approximately Rs. 6,657).
Connectable UHD Blu-ray Disc drive available separately
Image source: Sony
There are also some additional optional costs involved with owning a new PS5 model. The original PS5 allowed you to mount it horizontally or vertically with the help of the included stand, which clamped and screwed into the console, holding it in place. Now, the new PS5 Slim model will come with a horizontal stand, but to mount it vertically (which is likely the PS5’s default orientation and appears on all of the console’s marketing materials), you’ll need to purchase a redesigned ring-shaped vertical stand station, This will cost you $29.99 (approximately Rs. 2,495).
Sony will also release new PS5 console cases in different colors for the new ultra-thin version in early 2024. These include a matte black colorway as well as a deep series of colors such as Volcano Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver, with more colors planned for the future, according to the PS Blog. The PS5 slim case starts at $54.99 (approximately Rs. 4,576).
The redesigned PS5 slim will be available next month in the US from select local retailers and direct.playstation.com (where available), with a global launch planned in the coming months. There is no official launch date for the Indian market yet, but the updated model is expected to hit the shelves in the coming months. The original PS5 remains popular in the country, with stocks of the console easily available on e-commerce sites and retail stores. However, according to Sony, the new, slimmer PS5 will be the only model available once the original PS stock is sold out.
The physical version of PS5 is priced at Rs. The price in India is Rs 54,990, while the digital version is priced at Rs 54,990. 44,990. Sony also plans to launch the PlayStation Portal, a handheld game streaming device, as a companion to the PS5 later this year. Although the exact launch date has not been announced yet, the handheld device is priced at $199.99, which is approximately Rs. 16,500.
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