Leaked Reports Hint at PS5 Slim with Updated Design and Lower Price

According to leaked reports, the upcoming PS5 Slim is rumored to feature identical hardware to the original PS5 but will come with a redesigned chassis and a removable disc drive. Ongoing court documents in the Microsoft and Sony legal battle reveal that Microsoft expects Sony to release the PS5 Slim later this year at a price of $399, $100 less than the launch price of the original PS5.

IGN, an American video games and entertainment media website, reports that Microsoft presented these documents to argue that the Nintendo Switch falls within the same market segment as PlayStation and Xbox due to their similar price ranges. These documents were submitted by Sony in the context of the court case regarding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision, where concerns about potential exclusivity and competition arise.

Microsoft aimed to demonstrate its underdog status in the gaming industry to gain approval for the Activision Blizzard acquisition from the FTC. The court documents compared the price points of entry-level consoles, stating that the Xbox and Switch are both priced at $299.99, while the Xbox Series S is $50 cheaper than the Switch OLED model at $349.99. Microsoft also mentioned that Sony offers a less expensive Digital Edition of the PlayStation 5 for $399.99 and is expected to release the PS5 Slim at the same reduced price later this year.

Although the document did not provide a specific source for the information, a previous report indicated that Sony plans to launch slimmer and lighter versions of the PS5. Additionally, the document mentioned Sony’s anticipated release of a handheld version of the PlayStation 5, known as Project Q, which will allow game streaming from the PS5 using WiFi or Remote Play and is expected to be priced below $300.