PS5 vs PS5 Slim
The PS5 and the PS5 Slim are variations on one theme; the trick is working out which variation suits you. Spec for spec, there isn’t much daylight between them, so small details and personal priorities will decide it. Here’s where the PS5 and the PS5 Slim part ways, and where they don’t.
At a glance
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage PS5 Slim wins
- Price Tie
- 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
Big gap, real consequences. The PS5 Slim’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 has a 2.87 lb lighter body
The PS5 is clearly behind on weight (9.92 lb against 7.05 lb), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. The PS5 Slim is easier to carry around, which is a real plus if you play away from your TV.
-
The PS5 has
This one isn’t a win or a loss. The PS5 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 15.35 in × 4.09 in × 10.24 in
- PS5 Slim 14.09 in × 3.78 in × 8.50 in
A larger body can leave more room inside, while a smaller one is easier to live with in tight spaces. Here, the PS5 is the larger console. There’s 2.87 lb between them, and the PS5 Slim is on the lighter side.
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 4.09 in | 3.78 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class | 7.05 lb (winner) |
Performance
Too close to call
The PS5 and the PS5 Slim match each other closely in this area. The performance verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Memory & Storage
PS5 Slim leads
The memory & storage comparison is one-sided. The PS5 Slim leads where it counts. The PS5 Slim has the edge with 175 GB more built-in storage. Modern games are large, so more built-in storage means fewer installs to juggle. On memory & storage alone, the PS5 Slim gets the nod.
Built-in storage
PS5: 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
For features & media, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the PS5 and the PS5 Slim each bring.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | PS5 | 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 | 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 | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | Ultra HD Blu-ray | 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 | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 4.09 in | 3.78 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class | 7.05 lb (winner) |
Price
| Spec | PS5 | PS5 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $500 | $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
At launch, the PS5 and the PS5 Slim cost the same.
Based on US launch pricing as of November 2023. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the PS5 Slim if…
- you want room for more games before juggling installs (1,000 GB vs 825 GB)
- you move your console between rooms or take it on trips (7.05 lb vs 9.92 lb)
- you want the more compact console
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the PS5 or the PS5 Slim?
On the specs compared here, the PS5 Slim makes more sense for most buyers; the PS5 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which is larger, the PS5 or the PS5 Slim?
Going by the official dimensions, the PS5 is the bigger of the two at 15.35 × 4.09 × 10.24 in. The PS5 Slim measures 14.09 × 3.78 × 8.50 in.
Which weighs less, the PS5 or the PS5 Slim?
The PS5 Slim is lighter, by 2.87 lb.
Does the PS5 have more storage than the PS5 Slim?
Going by the spec sheets, the PS5 Slim has the larger figure: 1,000 GB, against 825 GB.
Executive Summary
Picking between the PS5 and the PS5 Slim is less about the brand and more about which compromises you can live with. For me, the deciding factor is that only the PS5 Slim gives you 175 GB more built-in storage. I’d also count a 2.87 lb lighter body in the PS5 Slim’s favor.
If you’d rather have strength in the things a spec sheet can’t capture, go with the PS5. If memory & storage is what you’d miss, go with the PS5 Slim.
My pick: the PS5 Slim.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.