Microsoft Says $400 PS5 Slim Coming This Yr, Possibly

A brand new slim PlayStation 5 might be launched within the close to future, in accordance with statements made by Microsoft in courtroom documentation for the continued FTC vs. Microsoft trial.

In a portion of the courtroom paperwork the place Microsoft is arguing in favor of together with the Nintendo Swap as a competitor to each Xbox and PlayStation, a line makes point out of a brand new lower-cost PlayStation 5 mannequin that Sony hasn’t but introduced. Microsoft mentions that its competitor is planning to “launch a PlayStation 5 Slim later this 12 months on the similar diminished worth level,” referencing the cheaper Digital Version PlayStation 5 which retails at the moment for $400.

This would not be the primary point out of a PlayStation 5 Slim, with rumors of the consoles relationship again to September final 12 months. Since then, additional studies relating to the console and extra equipment have surfaced, with one report suggesting that Sony will launch an exterior Blu-ray drive alongside the console so as to add disc help to each the brand new slim mannequin and present digital-only console. The report means that the PlayStation 5 Slim will probably be packaged each standalone and bundled with the exterior drive, and launch someday in September 2023.

Experiences surrounding the PlayStation 5 Slim have additionally indicated that this new console won’t characteristic any processing energy enhancements, quashing any suggestion that this is also a brand new PlayStation 5 Professional mannequin. Xbox’s Phil Spencer not too long ago said that the need for brand new consoles is “not the suggestions we’re getting proper now”, and that the corporate is “fairly set on the {hardware} we now have.” This means {that a} launch just like that of the Xbox One X may not be deliberate at Microsoft at the moment.

The FTC vs. Microsoft case is now within the arms of Decide Jacqueline Scott Corley, with a judgment on the FTC’s preliminary injunction anticipated in lower than two weeks.