PS5 Slim vs PS5 Slim Digital
It’s an in-house decision: the PS5 Slim and the PS5 Slim Digital are both part of the same lineup. Surprisingly little separates them. A handful of specs move the needle; the rest are rounding errors.
At a glance
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Price PS5 Slim Digital wins
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage6.7
- 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 Digital has a 1.32 lb lighter body
The PS5 Slim Digital clearly leads on weight, and 5.73 lb versus 7.05 lb is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. For home consoles, weight mostly matters when moving them; for handhelds, it matters every minute you play.
-
The PS5 Slim has
The PS5 Slim comes out larger here (3.78 in versus 3.15 in), which is neither a plus nor a minus on its own. Height matters most if you stand the console upright or need it to fit under a shelf.
Design & Size
- PS5 Slim 14.09 in × 3.78 in × 8.50 in
- PS5 Slim Digital 14.09 in × 3.15 in × 8.50 in
Physically, these two aren’t the same size: the PS5 Slim is larger in overall dimensions. The PS5 Slim Digital undercuts the PS5 Slim by 1.32 lb on weight.
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 Slim | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 14.09 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 3.78 in | 3.15 in |
| Depth | 8.50 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 7.05 lb | 5.73 lb (winner) |
Performance
Too close to call
Both the PS5 Slim and the PS5 Slim Digital cover performance equally well on paper. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
If memory & storage matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. For memory & storage, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Features & Media
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the features & media details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | PS5 Slim | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Slim | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| System memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
| Built-in storage | 1,000 GB | 1,000 GB |
| 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 Slim | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | Ultra HD Blu-ray (detachable) | None (detachable drive sold separately) |
| 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 Slim | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 14.09 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 3.78 in | 3.15 in |
| Depth | 8.50 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 7.05 lb | 5.73 lb (winner) |
Price
| Spec | PS5 Slim | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $500 | $450 (winner) |
“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
Choosing the PS5 Slim Digital saves $50 at launch prices, which is nice but not decisive. For a mixed result like this, the PS5 Slim Digital and its $50 saving is the default, unless the PS5 Slim’s strengths are exactly what you need.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of November 2023. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the PS5 Slim if…
- you prefer a larger console and have the room for it
Choose the PS5 Slim Digital if…
- you move your console between rooms or take it on trips (5.73 lb vs 7.05 lb)
- you want more value for your money ($50 less at launch)
- you value compactness over sheer size
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the PS5 Slim or the PS5 Slim Digital?
Neither wins outright. Choose the PS5 Slim if the things a spec sheet can’t capture matters most, or the PS5 Slim Digital if portability does.
Which is larger, the PS5 Slim or the PS5 Slim Digital?
Size goes the other way: the PS5 Slim is larger (14.09 × 3.78 × 8.50 in), and the PS5 Slim Digital is the smaller option (14.09 × 3.15 × 8.50 in).
Which costs less, the PS5 Slim or the PS5 Slim Digital?
At launch, the PS5 Slim Digital undercut the PS5 Slim by $50. These figures are as of November 2023, and street prices can change.
Is the PS5 Slim lighter than the PS5 Slim Digital?
The PS5 Slim is the heavier of the two; the PS5 Slim Digital saves 1.32 lb.
Executive Summary
When a brand offers the PS5 Slim and the PS5 Slim Digital side by side, I always ask what you give up by picking one over the other. Credit where it’s due: the PS5 Slim Digital offers a 1.32 lb lighter body.
Match the strength to your habits (the things a spec sheet can’t capture for the PS5 Slim, portability for the PS5 Slim Digital), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: whichever matches your priority, since the things a spec sheet can’t capture means the PS5 Slim and portability means the PS5 Slim Digital.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.