Navigating the PlayStation 5 Landscape: PS5 Slim, PS5, or PS5 Digital Edition

The PlayStation 5 has revolutionized the gaming landscape, offering cutting-edge performance, immersive graphics, and a vast library of captivating titles. With the introduction of the PS5 Slim, the choice between the three available models – PS5 Slim, PS5, and PS5 Digital Edition – has become more complex. Each variant boasts unique features and benefits, catering to different preferences and gaming habits.

The PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition were Sony's two next-gen consoles released in 2020. Then, in November 2023, Sony announced the arrival of something new: the PS5 Slim. The latter is intended to ultimately replace the two previous models, once all stocks have been used up.

So between these three models, which currently coexist on the market, which one should you buy? What are the differences between each model? 

The same technical characteristics

If Microsoft has made the bet of offering two radically different Xbox models, with the Series S and the Series X, this is not at all the case for Sony. There is no difference between the PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition in terms of internal features, except for the Blu-ray drive. The PS5 Digital Edition does not include a disc reader, so you will have to purchase your games in a digital version.

No matter which model you choose, you will have the same performance, the same display quality, or the same storage size (825 GB). In practice, you will benefit from around 670 GB, with the OS taking up space in particular.

As for the PS5 Slim, it still offers the same performance, but stands out on one point: larger internal storage, 1 TB. When turned on, you will benefit from around 825 GB real. In addition, this console is sold with or without a disk drive. If you choose to buy it initially without a reader, you can always buy the latter alone later, and add it yourself. This reader is removable, and it clips and unclips quite easily.

Downloaded games occupy the same space

At the idea of ​​a console 100% focused on downloadable games, one would think that it would be entitled to larger storage space, precisely to keep all these downloaded games. However, we must remember that games today are no longer launched from Blu-ray, but are indeed installed on the hard drive. In other words, whether downloading from the PlayStation Store or installing from Blu-ray, the game will occupy the same space on the storage.

Different designs

The differences between the first two PS5s

The first big difference between the two PS5 models is the design. We keep the same console, but, on the Digital model, we have removed its growth.

The PS5 Digital Edition is therefore a little more compact than its sister. The difference remains marginal and you won't be able to more easily fit a PS5 DE in a piece of furniture under your television. Aesthetically, the design of the Digital model seems more harmonious, but the user experience should be the same.

The connectivity and all other features are similar between the two products. Thanks to the foot provided in the box, they can both be used horizontally or vertically.

The new design of the PS5 Slim

This is the whole advantage of the new PlayStation 5 Slim: its new design. Sony wanted to offer a more compact design and less weight.

In terms of dimensions, we go from 390 x 104 x 260 mm to 358 x 96 x 216 mm for the version with a reader and from 390 x 92 x 260 mm to 358 x 80 x 216 mm for the digital version. This difference in size is felt in terms of weight with a much lighter console: 3.2 kg for the version with reader compared to 4.5 kg for the launch version and 2.6 kg for the Digital version compared to 3.9 kg for the launch version.

The style of the console also changes a little on this Slim version. The console now displays a groove in the upper two-thirds of the console, on both versions. This allows you to separate and remove the disk drive from the console. A dual matte/glossy texture has been added.

Backward compatibility

The PlayStation 5 offers backward compatibility with PlayStation 4 games. If you own many PS4 games in Blu-ray format, you will not be able to enjoy them in backward compatibility with a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, since it does not have a media player. disk.

However, it would be wrong to say that the PlayStation 5 DE is not backward compatible since PS4 games purchased on the PlayStation Store will be perfectly playable. Note that it will be possible to install them on an external hard drive since they were not designed to work on an SSD and are therefore compatible with slower storage.

In addition, with the PlayStation+ Collection offer, you will be able to enjoy the greatest PS4 classics at a lower cost.

Recent games are more expensive digitally

The question of the price of games is central to the equation. This is also the reason for the Digital model: Sony earns more money on games sold through the PlayStation Store rather than in the physical version and therefore sets a higher price. For the consumer, the equation is not as simple.

Most of the time, games are sold 10 euros more expensive in dematerialized versions. On a recent game, especially on a Sony exclusive, a game that comes out will be offered at 79.99 euros on the PlayStation Store, but you can find it at 69.99 euros on e-commerce sites such as Fnac or Amazon, in a boxed version. The advantage of owning a PS5 with a disc drive is that you can choose between the two versions.

The question of opportunity and loans

There is another point to consider when choosing, and that is the question of the future of your game library. With a “Digital” console, whether the 2020 version or the new Slim, you cannot use physical games, games which you will therefore not be able to resell later, whether in specialized stores or on websites classified ads. You will have purchased your games digitally, they will be linked to your PSN account, and you will not be able to resell them.

Along the same lines, you also cannot lend your games once you have completed them. Conversely, you won't be able to enjoy your friends' games either.

PS5 prices

The PS5 Slim is sold in two versions, with or without a player, with the two prices corresponding perfectly to the prices of the two previous consoles. We therefore have a PS5 Slim at 449 euros without a reader and 549 with. The disc player is also sold separately, at 120 euros.

Which PS5 to choose?

To summarize, if the first two PS5s are still on sale, the PS5 Slim was designed, ultimately, to replace these two models. In any case, we therefore advise you to opt for the new Slim model. The latter combines all the advantages: it is more compact, has more storage space, and is sold at the same price. The only time you might be tempted by a first-generation PS5 would be on the second-hand market if you come across a good price.

As for the PS5 Digital Edition first version, there is simply no reason to choose it, since the Slim model without a drive is sold at the same price.

The question is more whether you take the PS5 Slim in the normal version or the Digital version (without a disk drive). For our part, we advise you to opt directly for the PS5 Slim with a disc reader. You will thus have the choice of the purchase format of your game, and with the player, you will be able to play your old PS4 games.