New PS5 'Slim' Teardowns... What Have We Learned?

Summary

The PlayStation 5 Slim is now available in the US and Japan, bundled with Modern Warfare 3 in the US but not in the UK and Europe, which still use the 1200 series model. The Slim model features a 6nm processor, similar to the 1200 series, with no significant efficiency or power changes. It has a more compact design, improved I/O with more USB ports, and retains the liquid metal thermal interface. The stand situation remains controversial, and the design has been criticized for its appearance, likened to cheap knockoffs. The internal drive is not a standard SSD but a reconfiguration with higher capacity NAND modules. The M2 slot is present for internal drive upgrades, and there's speculation about slightly improved acoustics. The digital edition's disc drive add-on requires online activation, similar to Xbox's DRM issue.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The PlayStation 5 Slim is now available in the US and Japan, bundled with Modern Warfare 3 in the US.
• 🌐 In the UK and possibly Europe, the same bundle uses the existing 1200 series PlayStation 5, not the new slim model.
• 🔍 Sony UK has not made any official announcements regarding the new model, maintaining radio silence.
• 🛠️ Teardowns by Lonus and Dave 2D confirmed the use of the same 6 nanometer processor as the 1200 series, indicating no significant changes in efficiency or power draw.
• 🔩 The new model has more I/O options and USB ports, but the stand situation remains the same, requiring additional parts for horizontal positioning.
• 📦 The design of the PlayStation 5 Slim has been criticized for its unusual shape and materials, giving it a less premium appearance.
• 💾 The internal drive is not a standard SSD but a reconfiguration with a reduced amount of higher capacity NAND modules to achieve one terabyte of storage.
• 💿 The M2 slot is present, allowing for an internal drive upgrade without loss of functionality.
• 🔊 There are suggestions that the acoustics may be slightly improved, continuing the trend of quieter consoles.
• 🌡️ The liquid metal thermal interface is retained, which was a surprise as it was expected to be removed due to potential leakage issues.

Q & A

What is the PlayStation 5 Slim and in which countries is it available?

The PlayStation 5 Slim is a smaller and potentially more cost-effective version of the PlayStation 5. It is currently available in the United States and Japan.

Is the PlayStation 5 Slim bundled with any specific games in certain regions?

Yes, in the US, the PlayStation 5 Slim is being bundled with Modern Warfare 3, while in the UK and possibly Europe, the same bundle uses the existing 1200 series PlayStation 5 without the Slim model.

What are the confirmed internal changes in the PlayStation 5 Slim compared to the 1200 series?

The PlayStation 5 Slim uses the same 6 nanometer processor as the 1200 series, indicating no significant changes in terms of efficiency or power draw. It is a cost-reduced and size-reduced version of the existing model.

What is the opinion on the design of the PlayStation 5 Slim?

The design of the PlayStation 5 Slim has been criticized for its unusual shape and the use of different plastic finishes that give it a cheap knockoff look, reminiscent of consoles found on AliExpress.

What are the stand and orientation options for the PlayStation 5 Slim?

The PlayStation 5 Slim requires small plastic inserts, known as 'legs,' to stand horizontally, which is seen as a design flaw by some.

How does the size of the PlayStation 5 Slim compare to the original PlayStation 5?

The PlayStation 5 Slim is significantly smaller than the original PlayStation 5, which is described as a 'gigantic beast.' The size reduction is seen as a positive change.

What are the storage options for the PlayStation 5 Slim?

The PlayStation 5 Slim does not use a standard SSD for its internal drive; instead, it reconfigures a reduced amount of higher capacity NAND modules to achieve the one terabyte of storage.

Is there an M2 slot for additional storage in the PlayStation 5 Slim?

Yes, the M2 slot is present in the PlayStation 5 Slim, allowing users to add an internal drive for more storage.

What is the discussion around the acoustics and thermal management of the PlayStation 5 Slim?

There is a mention of possibly improved acoustics in the PlayStation 5 Slim, and it retains the liquid metal thermal interface, which was a point of concern due to potential leaks.

What is the general consensus on the PlayStation 5 Slim's design and functionality?

While the size reduction is appreciated, the design of the PlayStation 5 Slim is considered weird and not as aesthetically pleasing as it could be. There is also a discussion about the need for online activation for the disc drive feature, which is seen as a DRM problem similar to what Xbox has.