If you’re planning on purchasing a new PlayStation 5 this holiday season via Sony’s dedicated PlayStation Direct website, you might want to double-check the fine details, as the United States version of PlayStation Direct has begun selling the previously leaked new SKU that originally debuted in Europe.
That SKU is particularly noteworthy because, unlike the existing versions of the PlayStation 5 Slim, which came with a 1TB SSD on board, this new version carries just 825GB. If that wasn’t enough insult to injury, the price hasn’t changed one bit, with the console retailing for $499.99, despite the smaller storage.
At the time of writing, it appears that PlayStation Direct is the only site selling this new SKU, as both Best Buy and GameStop still have active listings for the PS5 Slim with a 1TB SSD, and at the same price of $499.99. Right now, it’s unclear if those retailers will eventually receive the new models after selling their existing stock, or if this new model will remain a PlayStation Direct exclusive.
It Has A Smaller SSD, And Is Made With Cheaper Materials
Earlier this week, YouTuber Austin Evans managed to import the previously-European exclusive PlayStation 5 Slim to do a tear-down video on what has changed beyond the aforementioned SSD size.
As it turns out, the console not only has a smaller SSD, but is made with cheaper materials, too. The glossy finish that once made up the sides of the console has now been replaced with a solid matte finish. Elsewhere, a redesigned heat sink has gotten rid of any metal guarding.
The console is lighter and almost certainly cost Sony less to produce, but as Evans noted, those savings have not been passed on to the consumer. Instead, gamers are being charged the same amount for a console that is arguably worse in every way.
Finally, it’s worth noting that this revision isn’t the only reported planned change to existing PlayStation hardware. It’s been rumored that the PS5 Pro will also be getting a new SKU, while the DualSense controller could be receiving a model with a removable battery.
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