PS5 Slim Review: Is Sony’s Compact Console the Ultimate Next-Gen Upgrade You Need?

The original PlayStation 5 made a splash with its raw power and innovative features, but its sheer size was often a topic of discussion. Enter the PlayStation 5 Slim, Sony’s answer to those seeking a more streamlined, elegant, and space-efficient way to experience cutting-edge gaming. At Techno News, we’ve spent countless hours with this redesigned console, pushing its limits to determine if this smaller footprint truly delivers the same colossal gaming experience. Is the PS5 Slim merely a cosmetic refresh, or does it offer tangible benefits that make it the definitive next-gen console for your living room?

Key Features

The PlayStation 5 Slim isn’t just about a smaller shell; it brings a few notable enhancements and maintains the core powerful specifications:

• More Compact Design: Approximately 30% less volume and 18-24% lighter than the original PS5 models, making it easier to fit into entertainment centers.
• Expanded Storage: Comes standard with a 1TB SSD, offering more usable space for games and applications compared to the original’s 825GB.
• Modular Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive: The disc drive is now detachable. While the standard model includes it, the Digital Edition can have one purchased separately and easily added later, offering unprecedented flexibility.
• Lightning-Fast Loading: Experience near-instant load times for installed PS5 games thanks to the ultra-high-speed SSD.
• Stunning Visuals: Capable of delivering breathtaking 4K graphics at up to 120fps with HDR technology on compatible displays.
• Ray Tracing: Enjoy incredible realism as individually simulated rays of light create true-to-life shadows and reflections in supported PS5 games.
• Tempest 3D AudioTech: Immerse yourself in soundscapes where it feels as if sound comes from every direction when using compatible headphones.
• DualSense Wireless Controller: Features haptic feedback and dynamic adaptive triggers for unparalleled tactile immersion.

Performance

When it comes to raw gaming performance, the PS5 Slim doesn’t reinvent the wheel – and that’s a good thing. Underneath its refined exterior lies the exact same powerful AMD custom CPU and GPU found in the original PlayStation 5. This means you’re still getting the full next-gen experience: lightning-fast load times that shatter previous console generations, breathtaking 4K visuals, and smooth frame rates even in the most demanding titles like Spider-Man 2 or Alan Wake 2.

During our extensive testing, the PS5 Slim handled every game thrown at it with unwavering stability. Ray tracing effects were rendered beautifully, making for hyper-realistic lighting and reflections that truly elevate the visual fidelity. The Tempest 3D AudioTech continued to impress, pulling us deeper into game worlds with precise, directional sound. Moreover, the console remained remarkably quiet, even during prolonged gaming sessions, a testament to Sony’s optimized cooling solution within the smaller chassis.

The DualSense controller remains a standout feature, offering unparalleled immersion with its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Every gunfight, every car crash, every environmental interaction feels uniquely tactile, making older controllers feel decidedly flat in comparison. The PS5 Slim truly delivers on the promise of next-generation gaming, ensuring that its more compact size doesn’t come at the cost of power or performance.

Pros & Cons

To help you make an informed decision, here’s a quick rundown of the PlayStation 5 Slim’s biggest strengths and weaknesses:

• Pros:
  • Sleeker, More Compact Design: Fits more easily into various setups and looks more modern.
  • Increased Internal Storage: The 1TB SSD provides significantly more room for games right out of the box.
  • Modular Disc Drive: Offers flexibility, especially for those considering the Digital Edition but wanting the option for physical media later.
  • Maintains Peak Performance: Delivers the same powerful next-gen gaming experience as the original PS5.
  • Quiet Operation: Runs efficiently and quietly even under heavy load.
  • DualSense Controller: Continues to provide industry-leading haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
• Cons:
  • Vertical Stand Sold Separately: A minor but annoying additional purchase ($29.99).
  • No Performance Upgrade: Existing PS5 owners won’t find any speed or graphics boost.
  • Disc Drive Requires Internet for Initial Pairing: The first time you attach the modular disc drive, it needs an internet connection for authentication.
  • Still Relatively Large: While “Slim,” it’s not a tiny console, especially compared to rivals like the Xbox Series S.
  • Premium Price Tag: Retains the high price point of the original console.

Verdict

The PlayStation 5 Slim is, without a doubt, the best version of the PS5 available today. It takes everything we loved about the original – the blazing-fast SSD, the stunning 4K graphics, the immersive 3D audio, and the revolutionary DualSense controller – and packages it into a more refined, space-saving design with a welcome bump in storage. This console is designed for the modern living room, blending power with aesthetics.

For anyone who hasn’t yet jumped into the current generation of PlayStation gaming, the PS5 Slim is an unequivocal BUY. You’re getting the most polished and future-proof iteration of Sony’s next-gen powerhouse.

If you already own an original PlayStation 5, the decision is less clear-cut. There’s no performance upgrade, so unless space is a critical concern, or you’re desperate for the slightly larger SSD and the modular disc drive flexibility, it’s probably a PASS on upgrading. However, for new entrants, the PS5 Slim offers an undeniable package of performance, design, and features that sets the benchmark for console gaming.

Ready to experience next-gen gaming in its most refined form?
Click here to buy the PlayStation 5 Slim on Amazon!