PS5 Digital Edition vs PS5 Slim
Siblings are hard to tell apart from a distance. The PS5 Digital Edition and the PS5 Slim belong to the same lineup, so the differences live in the details. Of the 2 areas we compared, the PS5 Slim wins 1. If one area explains the result, it’s memory & storage. The PS5 Slim also costs $100 more at launch, which raises the bar for what it needs to deliver.
At a glance
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage PS5 Slim wins
- Price PS5 Digital Edition wins
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage6.2
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage6.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The PS5 Slim has 175 GB more built-in storage
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 1,000 GB for the PS5 Slim versus 825 GB for the PS5 Digital Edition. Check the expansion options in the table; extra storage can often be added later, at a cost.
-
The PS5 Slim has a 1.54 lb lighter body
The PS5 Digital Edition lists 8.60 lb; the PS5 Slim comes in at 7.05 lb. That’s not a rounding error. The PS5 Slim is easier to carry around, which is a real plus if you play away from your TV.
-
The PS5 Digital Edition has
This one isn’t a win or a loss. The PS5 Digital Edition is larger here (10.24 in versus 8.50 in), which suits some people and not others. Depth decides whether the console fits on a shallow shelf with room for cables at the back.
Design & Size
- PS5 Digital Edition 15.35 in × 3.62 in × 10.24 in
- PS5 Slim 14.09 in × 3.78 in × 8.50 in
If compact matters to you, the PS5 Slim is the one to look at. The PS5 Digital Edition is physically larger all round. If lightness matters, note the 1.54 lb gap in favor of the PS5 Slim.
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 3.62 in | 3.78 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 8.60 lb | 7.05 lb (winner) |
Performance
Too close to call
In the performance category, the PS5 Digital Edition and the PS5 Slim land in almost the same place. Bottom line for performance: it’s a wash.
Memory & Storage
PS5 Slim leads
This section belongs to the PS5 Slim. In memory & storage, it leads the PS5 Digital Edition by a margin that’s hard to ignore. On the PS5 Slim, you get 175 GB more built-in storage. Modern games are large, so more built-in storage means fewer installs to juggle. Prioritize memory & storage, and the PS5 Slim is where you should land.
Built-in storage
PS5 Digital Edition: 825 GB PS5 Slim: 1,000 GB With the PS5 Slim, you can keep more games ready to play without deleting old favorites.
Features & Media
In the features & media section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the PS5 Digital Edition and the PS5 Slim list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores / 16 threads | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores / 16 threads |
| CPU max clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.50 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based, up to 2.23 GHz | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based, up to 2.23 GHz |
| GPU compute units | 36 | 36 |
| GPU compute (FP32)Manufacturer figure | 10.28 TFLOPS | 10.28 TFLOPS |
| Max output resolution | 8K output; 4K at 120 Hz | 8K output; 4K at 120 Hz |
| Max frame rate | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Hardware ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| System memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
| Built-in storage | 825 GB | 1,000 GB (winner) |
| Storage type | Custom NVMe SSD | Custom NVMe SSD |
| Storage expansion | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; USB extended storage | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; USB extended storage |
Features & Media
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | None | Ultra HD Blu-ray (detachable) |
| Handheld play | No | No |
| Built-in screen | None | None |
| Backward compatibility | Most PS4 games | Most PS4 games |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 3.62 in | 3.78 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 8.60 lb | 7.05 lb (winner) |
Price
| Spec | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $400 (winner) | $500 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
A launch price gap of 25% is hard to ignore, and in this case it amounts to $100 in favor of the PS5 Digital Edition. What does the PS5 Slim’s extra $100 actually get you? Mainly 175 GB more built-in storage and a 1.54 lb lighter body.
Launch prices (US) as of November 2023. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the PS5 Digital Edition if…
- you don’t need the extras that cost $100 more
- you want the bigger console
Choose the PS5 Slim if…
- you want more built-in storage (1,000 GB vs 825 GB)
- you want the lighter console (7.05 lb vs 8.60 lb)
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the PS5 Digital Edition or the PS5 Slim?
For most people, the PS5 Slim is the stronger choice, unless you want to keep that $100 difference in your pocket.
Is the PS5 Digital Edition bigger than the PS5 Slim?
Going by the official dimensions, the PS5 Digital Edition is the bigger of the two at 15.35 × 3.62 × 10.24 in. The PS5 Slim measures 14.09 × 3.78 × 8.50 in.
Which costs less, the PS5 Digital Edition or the PS5 Slim?
The PS5 Digital Edition is the cheaper option, launching at $100 less than the PS5 Slim (launch prices as of November 2023).
Is the PS5 Digital Edition lighter than the PS5 Slim?
Going by the official figures, the PS5 Slim weighs 1.54 lb less than the PS5 Digital Edition.
Which has more storage, the PS5 Digital Edition or the PS5 Slim?
The PS5 Slim comes with more room: 1,000 GB versus 825 GB.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on the PS5 Digital Edition versus the PS5 Slim, two models from one lineup. It’s hard to argue with 175 GB more built-in storage, which is exactly what the PS5 Slim brings. A second reason: the PS5 Slim comes with a 1.54 lb lighter body.
I’d match them like this: price to the PS5 Digital Edition, memory & storage to the PS5 Slim.
My pick: the PS5 Slim, with one exception: if your budget can’t stretch another $100, go for the PS5 Digital Edition.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.