PS5 vs PS5 Slim Digital
The PS5 and the PS5 Slim Digital share their roots, so the useful question isn’t which is “good” but where each one differs. Of the 2 areas we compared, the PS5 Slim Digital wins 1. If one area explains the result, it’s memory & storage.
At a glance
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage PS5 Slim Digital wins
- Price PS5 Slim Digital 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 Digital has 175 GB more built-in storage
Big gap, real consequences. The PS5 Slim Digital’s 1,000 GB versus the PS5’s 825 GB changes how the two compare in daily use. Check the expansion options in the table; extra storage can often be added later, at a cost.
-
The PS5 Slim Digital has a 4.19 lb lighter body
The PS5 is clearly behind on weight (9.92 lb against 5.73 lb), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. The PS5 Slim Digital is easier to carry around, which is a real plus if you play away from your TV.
-
The PS5 has
More isn’t automatically better here: the PS5’s 4.09 in and the PS5 Slim Digital’s 3.15 in simply suit different preferences. Height matters most if you stand the console upright or need it to fit under a shelf.
-
The PS5 has
The PS5 Slim Digital has the lower figure on depth (8.50 in), while the PS5 reaches 10.24 in. Depth decides whether the console fits on a shallow shelf with room for cables at the back.
Design & Size
- PS5 15.35 in × 4.09 in × 10.24 in
- PS5 Slim Digital 14.09 in × 3.15 in × 8.50 in
The PS5 has the bigger footprint. That can mean more room to work with, but also more to carry, park or pocket. The PS5 carries an extra 4.19 lb.
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 4.09 in | 3.15 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class | 5.73 lb (winner) |
Performance
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on performance. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Memory & Storage
PS5 Slim Digital leads
No contest in memory & storage: the PS5 Slim Digital is the stronger of the two. The PS5 Slim Digital has the edge with 175 GB more built-in storage. Modern games are large, so more built-in storage means fewer installs to juggle. Bottom line for memory & storage: the PS5 Slim Digital has the edge.
Built-in storage
PS5: 825 GB PS5 Slim Digital: 1,000 GB With the PS5 Slim Digital, you can keep more games ready to play without deleting old favorites.
Features & Media
We don’t score this area directly, because the features & media specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | PS5 | 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 | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | Ultra HD Blu-ray | 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 | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 4.09 in | 3.15 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class | 5.73 lb (winner) |
Price
| Spec | PS5 | 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
Price is almost a tie, with the PS5 Slim Digital launching $50 below the PS5. Spending less doesn’t mean getting less here: the PS5 Slim Digital undercuts the PS5 by $50 and still leads overall.
Launch prices in the US as of November 2023; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the PS5 Slim Digital if…
- you want more built-in storage (1,000 GB vs 825 GB)
- you want the lighter console (5.73 lb vs 9.92 lb)
- you’d put the $50 saving toward something else
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the PS5 or the PS5 Slim Digital?
On the specs compared here, the PS5 Slim Digital makes more sense for most buyers; the PS5 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Is the PS5 bigger than the PS5 Slim Digital?
Going by the official dimensions, the PS5 is the bigger of the two at 15.35 × 4.09 × 10.24 in. The PS5 Slim Digital measures 14.09 × 3.15 × 8.50 in.
Is the PS5 cheaper than the PS5 Slim Digital?
The PS5 Slim Digital is the cheaper option, launching at $50 less than the PS5 (launch prices as of November 2023).
Which weighs less, the PS5 or the PS5 Slim Digital?
Going by the official figures, the PS5 Slim Digital weighs 4.19 lb less than the PS5.
Does the PS5 have more storage than the PS5 Slim Digital?
The PS5 Slim Digital comes with more room: 1,000 GB versus 825 GB.
Executive Summary
A lineup gives you options, and options give you headaches. Let me try to cure this one: the PS5 or the PS5 Slim Digital. Practically speaking, the PS5 Slim Digital’s biggest advantage is 175 GB more built-in storage. And if that weren’t enough, the PS5 Slim Digital has a 4.19 lb lighter body.
For the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the PS5 fits better. For memory & storage, the PS5 Slim Digital is the better match.
My pick: the PS5 Slim Digital.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.