Rumors that a PS5 Slim is on the way are not new. At the end of last year some of its apparent characteristics became known, and last March an Australian store leaked its existence by mistake. However, this time the news comes through Microsoft —yes, from Microsoft—, which mentioned the next Sony console in a new document (via The Verge) linked to the FTC’s lawsuit to block the purchase of Activision Blizzard.
The curious thing is that those from Redmond not only affirm that Sony will launch the PS5 Slim this year, but that, apparently, They have also disclosed their price. For now, we do not know if it is information that the Japanese enabled to be released, or if it is confidential information that Microsoft decided to publish on purpose. Especially if we consider that the documentation includes other heavily censored fragments.
The revelation about the launch and price of the PS5 Slim comes in a paragraph where Microsoft disputes an FTC view of the video game console market. There he proceeds to talk about the differentiation of models within the Xbox and PlayStation line, and also makes a price comparison with the Nintendo Switch. It is in this context that the mention of the next Sony device occurs. Here is the snippet in question:
“[…] The FTC’s analysis considers only the higher-end Xbox (Series X) and PlayStation (Standard Edition) models, thus ignoring differentiation within Xbox console lines. In fact, the entry versions of Xbox and [Nintendo] Current Switches are offered at the same price ($299.99), and the Xbox Series S sells for $50 less than the Switch OLED model ($349.99). PlayStation also sells a less expensive digital edition for $399.99. and is expected to launch a PlayStation 5 Slim later this year at the same reduced price.“.
So, if Microsoft is correct, Sony will launch the PS5 Slim this year at $ 399.99. That is, a price identical to that of the PS5 Digital Edition; at least in the United States. Let’s not forget that in the rest of the world the Japanese raised the prices of their consoles. In Europe, for example, the PS5 without a disc drive sells for 449.99 dollars.
The new PS5 Slim leak comes courtesy of Microsoft
Another striking point in this case is that Microsoft would not have limited itself to leaking details of the launch of the PS5 Slim. The same excerpt from the document includes a footnote that reads: “Sony is also expected to release a portable version of the PlayStation 5 later this year for less than $300.”.
It is logical to think that those from Redmond refer to Project Q, their new device focused on the cloud gaming. Let’s not forget that this hardware is positioned more as an accessory to the PS5 than as a separate portable console. This is because it can’t run games natively, instead relying on Remote Play to stream from a PlayStation 5.
Although Sony presented Project Q during the last PlayStation Showcase, it avoided providing further details of its features. Nor did it reveal its price. That Microsoft says it will sell for less than $300 is striking, but not exactly accurate either. Today the PS5 DualSense Edge controller is sold in the United States for 200 dollars
We’ll see how the PS5 release schedule pans out, but if Microsoft is right, the way seems paved for the Slim version to make its debut this year. Let’s remember that the main rumors point to this variant of the console coming with a removable disk drive. Thus, players could choose to buy it without a reader and then, if they need it, buy it separately.
At some point it was speculated that Sony intends to replace the standard PS5 and digital edition with this Slim variant. After all, if the public can choose to buy it with or without a disc player, it would fulfill the same function as the two existing models. Anyway, until the Japanese make it official, we won’t know if it really is.
When will the PS5 Slim be released? According to Insider Gaming It could be next September. It remains to be seen if it debuts at $399.99, as claimed by Microsoft.
