Sony’s PlayStation 5 (or PS5 as it’s known to its friends) has been in the market for two years now. However, it can be argued that it’s failed to make much of an impact, despite selling like hot cakes. Also, the PS5 has certainly been a difficult console to get, having been frequently out of stock at mayor retailers such as Amazon. The console’s scarcity has been something that even PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan has apologized about.
The thing is, it can be argued that there’s nothing that makes the console a “must buy” item – it’s hardware specs are impressive for sure (and so is the fancy new controller) but the machine is missing a killer app, an exclusive game or games so compelling that they entice people to upgrade. Most games worth playing are still released on PS4 too.
There’s also the fact that the PS5 is something of a bulky console too. It’s bigger than the PS4 Pro, while Microsoft’s Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles are also smaller too. This coupled with its questionable sci-fi aesthetic might have convinced some to hang on to their last-gen PlayStation console for the time being…
So a recent rumor that the PS5 will be getting a “slim” version next year might have been music to the ears of those who were on the fence about upgrading to Sony’s next-gen console.
According to a report on The Leak (via Forbes), it seems Sony is planning to begin manufacturing such a console in the second quarter of 2023, and release it sometime between July 1 and September 30 (in Q3, that is).
Such a schedule would definitely make sense, as Sony put out the PS4 Slim in September 2016 (almost three years after the launch of the PS4). The PS3 also got a “slim” version roughly three years after the console’s launch.
It seems Sony will be improving the fabrication process, using a “die-shrink treatment” to reduce the size and weight of its PS5 console according to one of The Leak’s unidentified sources.
Sony could also be doing away with the console’s stand (which is required when putting the console on its side), meaning the PS5’s awful-looking flaps could be removed too (a good thing in my book). Such a move would make the console a more regular, rectangular shape like previous PlayStations.
Also, while this new version of the PS5 will presumably be lighter and more compact than the original (and thereby easier to position in your living room) Sony will apparently not be calling this the “PS5 Slim”. Rather, it seems that the revamped PS5 will replace the original model, as it will be less expensive and cheaper to produce for Sony. And as stated earlier, it could also be a godsend for gamers who’ve been waiting to upgrade to a next-gen console, and who may finally be able to do so next year if this rumor about the new PS5 is proven true.
PS5 console (Sony)