PS5 vs PS5 Slim: what changed from the original console?

The PS5 Slim is smaller and ships with 1TB of storage versus the original’s 825GB, but games run the same. Digital Slim pricing rose to $449 from $399; disc models stay $499. Knowing ps5 ps5 slim what separates them helps you buy the right box. As original stock sells through, the Slim is replacing the 2020 models on shelves — a classic then-and-now hardware handoff for PlayStation buyers.

Key Takeaways

• The PS5 Slim shrinks total volume by about 30% versus the original, though reporting notes it is still larger than an Xbox Series X.
• Internal performance matches the original PS5; games run the same on both generations of the base console.
• Onboard storage rises from 825GB on the original to a full 1TB on Slim models.
• Disc Slim stays $499; digital Slim is $449, a $50 bump over the original digital’s $399.
• The Slim’s disc drive is a detachable $79.99 add-on, and a vertical stand is not included in the box.

What happened with the PS5 Slim, and why does it matter now?

Sony’s PS5 Slim arrived as a smaller refresh of the console that launched in late 2020 — not a raw-power leap like a “Pro” tier. With the PS5 Pro now in the mix, Mashable’s comparison notes that older — still very capable — PS5 hardware can look more appealing if deals or lasting price cuts appear.

That timing matters for anyone still choosing a first PlayStation 5. Once remaining original units sell out, Slim models are positioned to replace them in stores. If you are browsing our Nostalgia: Then & Now coverage for how gear evolves across generations, this is a clean case of redesign over reinvention.

For a detailed side-by-side from the reporting we used, see Mashable’s PS5 vs. PS5 Slim differences guide.

How does PS5 Slim size compare to the original PS5?

Size is the headline change. Sony’s stated dimensions show a clear shrink on both disc and digital SKUs.

Original PS5 disc version: 104mm height × 390mm width × 260mm depth. PS5 Slim disc version: 96mm × 358mm × 216mm. Original digital: 92mm × 390mm × 260mm. Slim digital: 80mm × 358mm × 216mm.

Per Sony’s announcement, as summarized in the Mashable roundup, that works out to roughly a 30 percent cut in total volume. The Slim is easier to place on a crowded entertainment shelf than the tall 2020 design.

Context still applies: a Verge digital size comparison cited in that coverage found both new models remain substantially larger than the Xbox Series X. “Slim” is relative — the console is smaller than the original PS5, not suddenly compact by living-room standards.

Do the PS5 and PS5 Slim offer the same performance and storage?

Yes on performance. Mashable stresses that Slim models share the same internal capabilities as the originals. This is not a PS4-versus-PS4-Pro situation. Games run the same across the base PS5 lineup covered in the comparison.

Storage is the notable internal upgrade. The original PS5 shipped with 825GB of onboard storage, expandable with external SSDs. New Slim units include a full 1TB of built-in space, which can mean room for a few more installs depending on game size.

If you already own an original PS5 and only care about frame rates or load times, the Slim does not change the play experience. If you are buying new and want more stock SSD capacity in a smaller shell, the Slim’s storage bump is the practical win.

What are the PS5 vs PS5 Slim price and disc-drive differences?

Both generations offer digital-only and disc-drive configurations. Sony did not cut Slim launch pricing relative to the familiar $499 disc tier. Slim with disc drive: $499. Slim digital-only: $449. Original digital-only: $399. Original disc: $499.

That means the digital Slim saves money versus the Slim disc model, but not versus the original digital console that launched at $399. Mashable also notes that buying a digital Slim and then adding the disc drive later costs more than buying the disc-equipped Slim outright.

On the Slim, the disc drive story changes shape. One Slim SKU is digital-only; the other includes a drive. There is also an optional detachable disc drive sold for $79.99 for physical-media collectors who need it.

Another box contents change: unlike the original PS5, the PS5 Slim does not include a vertical stand. Many owners already prefer horizontal placement, but anyone planning a vertical setup should budget for the stand separately.

Which PS5 should you buy if original stock is running out?

If your target price is the original digital’s $399, Mashable’s advice is blunt: get one while stock lasts. After those units are gone, Slim pricing and form factors become the default retail story.

Choose an original PS5 if you find a fair price on remaining inventory and you do not need the extra onboard storage or smaller chassis. Choose a PS5 Slim if you want the ~30% smaller volume, 1TB built-in storage, and the modular disc-drive option — and you accept the digital Slim’s $449 price versus the older $399 digital.

Either way, you are getting the same base PS5 game performance. The decision is mostly about size, storage, price tier, and how you handle physical discs — the core of any honest ps5 ps5 slim what comparison grounded in the published specs and pricing.