The PS5 Slim is the redesigned PlayStation 5 that Sony launched in November 2023. It is smaller and lighter, it has more storage, and on the Digital Edition the disc drive clips on as an add-on. Gaming performance stayed the same. This guide covers what changed, what didn’t, and which model makes sense for you now.
Last updated: October 30, 2026
PS5 Slim vs original PS5: side-by-side specs
| Spec | Original PS5 (CFI-1000 series) | PS5 Slim (CFI-2000 series) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | November 2020 | November 2023 |
| Size (Disc model) | 390 × 104 × 260 mm | 358 × 96 × 216 mm |
| Size (Digital model) | 390 × 92 × 260 mm | 358 × 80 × 216 mm |
| Weight (Disc / Digital, launch units) | 4.5 kg / 3.9 kg | 3.2 kg / 2.6 kg |
| Internal SSD | 825GB | 1TB |
| Disc drive | Built in (Disc model only) | Detachable, sold separately for Digital |
| Front USB | 1 × USB-A, 1 × USB-C | 2 × USB-C |
| Vertical stand | Included | Sold separately |
| CPU, GPU, output | 8-core Zen 2, 10.3 TFLOPS RDNA 2, up to 4K 120Hz | Identical |
| M.2 expansion slot | Yes | Yes |
PS5 Slim release date and editions
Sony announced the redesign on October 10, 2023. It went on sale in the US on November 10, 2023, and other regions got it over the following weeks. Once stock of the launch model sold through, the Slim replaced it entirely. You will only find the original PS5 new as leftover stock, so most people buying today are looking at used units.
People often search for a “PS5 Slim Edition,” but Sony doesn’t sell a product with that name. Sony’s own branding calls it PlayStation 5, and “Slim” is the nickname retailers and players use. It comes in two editions:
- Standard (Disc) Edition: ships with the Ultra HD Blu-ray drive already attached.
- Digital Edition: ships without a drive. You can add the same detachable drive later, and it originally cost $79.99 in the US.
The model number is the easiest way to tell the two generations apart. Original units start with CFI-1, and Slim units start with CFI-2. The code is printed on the box and on the console’s rear label. You can also find it in Settings > System > System Software > Console Information.
What changed in the PS5 Slim
Size and weight
The Slim is over 30% smaller by volume than the launch PS5. Sony says the Disc model is 18% lighter and the Digital model is 24% lighter. In practice, the Slim fits on a standard TV unit shelf without overhanging, which the original often could not.
The four-panel shell matters too. The top two panels are glossy and the bottom two are matte, so a single cover change doesn’t swap the whole console’s colour. Covers made for the original PS5 do not fit the Slim.
Storage
The internal SSD went from 825GB to 1TB. The extra space is more useful than the headline number suggests, because the system software takes a chunk of either drive. On the Slim you get roughly 848GB of usable space, compared with about 667GB on the original. That is enough for two or three more large installs. You will still fill it quickly if you keep 100GB-plus games like Call of Duty around.
Player tip
The Slim keeps the M.2 expansion slot. You reach it by sliding off the top glossy cover, so the job is quicker than on the original. Supported drives go up to 8TB and need a heatsink or a low-profile cooling plate.
The detachable disc drive
This is the biggest change for buyers. Sony stopped building the drive into the Digital model, so you can start digital-only and add a drive later if you change your mind. The same drive works with the Digital PS5 Slim and with the PS5 Pro.
Heads up
The add-on disc drive has to pair with your console over the internet the first time you connect it. If you play offline, plan to get online once during setup.
Ports and stand
The front now has two USB-C ports instead of one USB-A and one USB-C. That suits charging a DualSense PS5 controller with a USB-C cable. If you rely on a USB-A accessory at the front, you will need to use the rear ports or an adapter.
The Slim box includes two small feet for horizontal use. The vertical stand that came free with the original is now a separate purchase, and it launched at $29.99 in the US.
What stayed the same
Performance is identical. Same CPU, same GPU, same 4K output at up to 120Hz, same ray tracing, same Wi-Fi 6 support. A game runs the same on both. Recent releases like Resident Evil Requiem have no Slim-specific mode. That is a job for the PS5 Pro, which has its own enhanced settings in supported games.
The controller and the game library are also unchanged. Accessories like the PlayStation VR2 and PlayStation Portal work with both, and PS Plus works the same way on either console.
PS5 Slim price
The Slim launched at $499.99 for the Disc Edition and $449.99 for the Digital Edition in the US. The Digital price was $50 more than the original Digital model, which Sony justified with the bigger SSD.
Sony raised US prices on August 21, 2025, to $549.99 for the Disc model and $499.99 for the Digital Edition. The PS5 Pro went to $749.99 at the same time. Prices in the UK and Europe have moved separately, and retailer bundles change often. Check current listings rather than relying on a fixed figure.
Japan is a special case. Sony sells a cheaper Japan-only digital model there, and its language and region restrictions make it a poor import choice for most of you.
Winner: PS5 Slim
Pros
– Smaller and lighter, so it fits more TV units
– 1TB SSD with about 181GB more usable space
– Digital buyers can add a disc drive later
– Easier M.2 expansion access
– The only model sold new, with a fresh warranty
Cons
– Vertical stand costs extra
– No front USB-A port
– Disc drive add-on is pricey for Digital owners
– Old PS5 covers don’t fit
Winner: original PS5
Pros
– Used units are often much cheaper
– Vertical stand included
– Front USB-A port for older accessories
– Same performance in every game
Cons
– Large and heavy
– Only 825GB of storage
– Digital model can never take a disc drive
– Mostly sold used, so warranty coverage is usually gone
Which should you choose?
Buy the PS5 Slim if you are buying new. It is the current model, it is better in every practical way, and the performance is no different. Get the Disc Edition if you buy physical games or watch 4K Blu-rays. Choose the Digital Edition only if you are sure you will stay digital, because adding the drive later costs more than buying the Disc model up front.
A used original PS5 makes sense only when the price gap is large. At $100 or more cheaper with a clean condition check, it is a good deal. If the difference is small, take the Slim for the warranty, the extra storage and the smaller footprint.
Skip both and look at the PS5 Pro if you have a 4K TV and want higher frame rates and sharper image quality in enhanced games.
FAQ
Is the PS5 Slim more powerful than the original PS5?
No. The CPU, GPU and output are identical, and games run the same on both. The changes are size, storage, the disc drive and ports.
When did the PS5 Slim come out?
It launched in the US on November 10, 2023, a month after Sony announced it on October 10. Other regions followed in the weeks after.
Can I add a disc drive to the original PS5 Digital Edition?
No. The detachable drive only works with the Slim Digital Edition and the PS5 Pro. The original Digital model has no connector for it.
Does the PS5 Slim come with a vertical stand?
No. It includes small feet for horizontal use. The vertical stand is sold separately.
How much usable storage does the PS5 Slim have?
The 1TB SSD gives you roughly 848GB for games and apps. You can add more with a compatible M.2 SSD, or use a USB drive to store and play PS4 games.
