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The PS5 Slim is smaller, lighter, offers 1TB of nominal SSD storage instead of 825GB, and gives the Digital Edition an option to add a disc drive later. It is not faster than the original PS5 and is not a replacement for the more powerful PS5 Pro. If you are buying new, the Slim is usually the better choice; if you already own a working original PS5, upgrading makes sense only if its size, storage, or fixed disc configuration is causing a specific problem.
PS5 Slim vs. PS5 at a glance
| Feature | Original launch PS5 (2020) | PS5 Slim/current smaller model |
|---|---|---|
| Disc-model dimensions | Approximately 390 × 104 × 260 mm | Approximately 358 × 96 × 216 mm with the drive installed |
| Digital-model dimensions | Approximately 390 × 92 × 260 mm | Approximately 358 × 80 × 216 mm without the drive |
| Disc-model weight | Approximately 4.5 kg | Approximately 3.2 kg |
| Digital-model weight | Approximately 3.9 kg | Approximately 2.6 kg without the drive |
| Internal SSD | 825GB nominal capacity | 1TB nominal capacity |
| Disc-drive options | Disc drive is fixed in the disc model; the Digital Edition cannot accept one | Disc model includes a detachable drive; the Digital Edition can accept Sony’s compatible drive later |
| Gaming performance | Broadly the same Zen 2 CPU, RDNA 2-based graphics platform, 16GB GDDR6 memory, and core PS5 features | |
| Vertical orientation | Requires the appropriate separately sold stand or included support arrangement, depending on package | Requires the separately sold vertical stand |
The dimensions and weights above are approximate published specifications and can vary slightly by model group or whether the Slim’s disc drive is installed. Sony describes the Slim as reducing console volume by more than 30%; the stated weight reduction is 18% compared with the original disc model and 24% compared with the original Digital Edition. “30% smaller” refers to volume, not to every individual measurement.
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PlayStation®5 Digital Edition (slim) | $598.99 | Buy on Amazon |
What the PS5 Slim actually is
Sony introduced the smaller model in 2023 as a hardware redesign of the existing PS5 platform. Sony identifies it as the PS5 model group – slim, with model groups including CFI-2000 and later revisions such as CFI-2100. The name “PS5 Slim” is the common retail term rather than a new performance tier.
The redesign divides the outer shell into four cover panels instead of the original PS5’s two large side panels. The upper sections are glossy while the lower sections are matte, and the side profile has a visible split around the middle. On disc-equipped versions, the drive forms a removable module that can be detached from the console.
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- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
The Slim is therefore best understood as a smaller, more storage-friendly PS5 with a more flexible Digital Edition—not as a faster PS5.
Size and weight: the biggest everyday difference
The original PS5 was unusually large for a living-room console. The launch disc model measured about 390 × 104 × 260 mm and weighed about 4.5 kg. The original Digital Edition was slightly thinner and lighter at about 390 × 92 × 260 mm and 3.9 kg.
With its disc drive installed, the Slim measures about 358 × 96 × 216 mm and weighs about 3.2 kg. The drive-less Slim Digital Edition is about 358 × 80 × 216 mm and 2.6 kg. That makes the redesign easier to fit into a crowded entertainment unit and less awkward to move between rooms, although you should still check the usable clearance around your cabinet for ventilation and cable access.
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The reduction is meaningful, but the Slim is not a radically different console internally. Its main benefit is reduced physical footprint rather than additional graphical capability.
Storage increased from 825GB to 1TB
The launch PS5 models included an 825GB custom SSD. The Slim models use a 1TB SSD. The nominal difference is 175GB.
Neither figure represents the space available for games. The operating system and system-management data reserve part of the drive, so usable capacity is lower on both models. Even so, the Slim gives you more room before you need to delete games or install an expansion drive. The extra space is especially useful because modern PS5 games can occupy a large portion of the internal storage.
This change does not mean the Slim loads games faster. Both consoles use the same class of high-speed internal storage and the same core PS5 software and hardware platform. Storage capacity and storage speed are separate issues.
The detachable disc drive changes the buying decision
The original PS5 lineup had two permanent configurations: a disc-equipped model with an integrated Ultra HD Blu-ray drive and a Digital Edition with no drive and no upgrade route for adding one later.
The Slim Digital Edition is different. It has a port for Sony’s separately sold Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive. The compatible drive can read PS5 game discs, supported PS4 Blu-ray game discs, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies, Blu-ray discs, and DVDs. Sony requires an internet connection to pair the drive with the console during setup.
That flexibility is useful if you want to start digitally but may later buy used games, borrow discs, resell physical games, or watch 4K Blu-ray movies. It also means the Digital Edition’s console-only price is not the full cost of a disc-capable setup. Compare the price of the Slim Digital Edition plus the compatible drive with the price of the Slim disc edition, and check whether a required stand is included in either package.
For readers who want this option, the PS5 Slim disc drive is the relevant accessory—not a drive for the original PS5 Digital Edition. Sony’s compatibility documentation limits the detachable drive to PS5 consoles in the CFI-2000 model group and PS5 Pro consoles in the CFI-7000 model group. It is not an upgrade for the original CFI-1000, CFI-1100, or CFI-1200 chassis.
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- Slim disc edition: The Ultra HD Blu-ray drive is included and installed.
- Slim Digital Edition: The console has no drive in the box, but it has the port needed for Sony’s compatible detachable drive.
- Original disc PS5: The drive is built into that console and is not a removable Slim-style module.
- Original Digital Edition: It cannot be converted into a disc model using Sony’s current detachable drive.
Performance: what did not change
For games, the original PS5 and PS5 Slim belong to the same performance class. Sony’s launch specifications describe an eight-core/16-thread AMD Zen 2 CPU, a variable-frequency AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine rated at up to 10.3 TFLOPS, 16GB of GDDR6 memory with 448GB/s bandwidth, ray-tracing acceleration, and support for features such as 4K/120Hz output, 8K displays, variable refresh rate, and Tempest 3D AudioTech.
Sony’s Slim documentation continues to list the same broad processor, memory, graphics, storage-interface, networking, and display capabilities. In practical terms, you should not buy the Slim expecting higher frame rates, sharper graphics, faster loading, or better ray tracing in the same game.
Individual model revisions can involve small component or manufacturing changes, but Sony does not position the Slim as a faster tier. If your goal is a substantial graphics or performance upgrade, the Slim is not the answer; compare the original PS5 with the PS5 Pro instead.
Ports and setup details
The Slim’s published documentation lists two front USB-C ports: one SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps port and one Hi-Speed USB port. It also lists two rear SuperSpeed USB-A ports rated at 10Gbps. If you are moving accessories from an original PS5, check whether a camera, external drive, charging cable, or other device needs USB-A, USB-C, or a particular transfer speed. Do not assume the front layout is identical to your launch model.
The Slim includes small horizontal-support feet for tabletop placement. A vertical stand is a separate accessory for upright positioning. Sony’s official stand listing identifies compatibility with both the original CFI-1000 model group and the Slim CFI-2000 model group, but compatibility does not mean the stand is included with every console package.
If you install the detachable drive, follow Sony’s cover-removal and installation instructions carefully. The covers and horizontal feet differ depending on whether the drive is fitted. The drive also needs an internet connection to pair with the console during initial setup.
Price: compare complete configurations, not just console labels
At the Slim’s October 10, 2023 U.S. launch announcement, Sony listed recommended retail prices of $499.99 for the disc-equipped model, $449.99 for the Digital Edition, and $79.99 for the optional drive. Those are historical launch MSRPs, not a current price quote.
Retail prices, bundles, regional pricing, promotions, and stock change frequently. Before publishing or buying, verify the current price for the exact model and calculate the total cost of the configuration you actually want:
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- For the Slim Digital Edition, add the price of Sony’s compatible drive if you may need discs.
- Check whether the package includes the stand you need for your chosen orientation.
- Compare bundles and included games, not only the advertised console price.
- Confirm the model group and regional availability, particularly when buying older stock or importing.
A Digital Edition plus drive can be more expensive than a disc edition sold in a promotion, so the modular option is about flexibility—not automatically savings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which PS5 should you buy?
Choose the Slim disc edition if you:
- Want the smallest current PS5 package that includes a disc drive.
- Own, or expect to buy, physical PS5 or supported PS4 games.
- Want to buy used games, trade or resell discs, borrow games, or take advantage of physical-game discounts.
- Prefer 1TB of nominal storage over the launch model’s 825GB.
- Want to avoid buying and installing a separate drive later.
For most new buyers who are undecided about digital-only gaming, this is the least restrictive choice. It costs more than the Digital Edition in some configurations, but the included drive preserves more purchasing and resale options.
Choose the Slim Digital Edition if you:
- Buy games exclusively from the PlayStation Store.
- Want the lightest and thinnest version.
- Prefer a lower initial console price and are confident you do not need physical media.
- Want the option to add Sony’s compatible drive later, while accepting its additional cost and internet-pairing requirement.
Do not choose it solely because it is cheaper until you have considered whether you will eventually want discs. The drive option is valuable, but it is not free and does not work with the original Digital Edition.
Keep your original PS5 if you:
- Already own one and it works properly.
- Are looking for better frame rates, resolution, loading times, or graphics quality.
- Have enough storage or can solve storage needs with a compatible M.2 SSD expansion.
- Do not need a smaller console or a detachable-drive option.
Selling a working original PS5 and buying a Slim will not deliver a meaningful in-game performance upgrade. The upgrade is justified by convenience, footprint, capacity, or flexibility—not by frame-rate gains.
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Storage expansion: a separate issue
The Slim’s 1TB drive is a useful improvement, but it does not eliminate storage management. Both generations support adding a compatible M.2 NVMe SSD that meets Sony’s PS5 requirements. Because compatibility, heatsink dimensions, firmware support, and pricing can change, check Sony’s current M.2 SSD requirements before selecting a drive. Do not buy an arbitrary NVMe SSD simply because it fits the physical slot.
If you already own an original PS5 with a suitable expansion SSD, that existing storage may outweigh the Slim’s nominal 175GB advantage. Conversely, a new buyer expecting to keep many large games installed should treat the internal-capacity difference as helpful but not decisive on its own.
Common mistakes when comparing the two
- Calling the Slim 30% smaller without context: Sony’s figure refers to volume, while the exact weight reduction depends on whether it is compared with the original disc or Digital Edition.
- Calling it a faster PS5: The Slim is a redesign, not a performance generation.
- Assuming every Digital Edition can accept the new drive: Only the newer compatible Slim model group is designed for Sony’s detachable drive.
- Comparing incomplete prices: Add the drive and any required stand when comparing a Slim Digital Edition with a disc model.
- Treating 1TB as usable space: System software reserves part of the advertised capacity.
- Assuming accessories fit without checking: Verify USB connectors, stand compatibility, cover pieces, and the exact console model group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PS5 Slim more powerful than the original PS5?
No. Sony presents the Slim as a smaller redesign with broadly the same Zen 2 CPU, AMD Radeon-based graphics platform, 16GB GDDR6 memory, and core PS5 display and gaming features. It should not be expected to deliver higher frame rates or better graphics than an original PS5.
Can I add a disc drive to the original PS5 Digital Edition?
No. Sony’s detachable Ultra HD Blu-ray drive is compatible with the newer Slim CFI-2000 model group and PS5 Pro CFI-7000 models, not the original CFI-1000, CFI-1100, or CFI-1200 chassis.
Does the PS5 Slim load games faster?
Not as a general platform feature. The Slim increases nominal internal storage from 825GB to 1TB, but it retains the same broad PS5 storage and performance platform. The extra capacity does not by itself make games load faster.
Is the PS5 Slim worth buying if I already own a PS5?
Usually only if you specifically need the smaller chassis, additional nominal storage, or the Slim Digital Edition’s detachable-drive flexibility. It is not a worthwhile upgrade solely for performance.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Buy the PS5 Slim when purchasing a new console, especially the disc edition if you want maximum flexibility. Keep an original PS5 that is working well unless its large chassis, smaller 825GB drive, or fixed Digital Edition configuration creates a real problem. The Slim is a better-designed package—not a faster generation.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
