PS5 vs PS5 Slim vs PS5 Pro

PS5, PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro Features

If you’re wondering what’s the difference between the PS5 and PS5 Slim; barely anything has changed under the hood, apart from increased storage space in the Slim model. 

The standard PS5 only comes with 825GB of storage, whereas the Slim comes with a full 1TB, which is a reasonable increase but won’t make much of a difference if you’re looking to install multiple AAA games (in which case, you’d be better off buying an external SSD so you don’t run out of space).

Beyond that, performance in every other area is identical. The PS5 Slim has the same processor, RAM, resolution and max refresh rate as the standard PS5, which means you won’t notice any difference when you’re firing RPGs at your mates in GTA V or backflipping off buildings in Spider-Man 2.

Oddly, the PS5 Slim (at 13.3 x 9.1 x 3.6 inches) isn’t that much smaller than the standard PS5 (at 15.4 x 10.2 x 4.1 inches), and has similar curved aesthetics, which aren’t to everyone’s taste. We were hoping for something a bit more refined and compact with the Slim model. 

Beyond the current versions, rumours suggest the PS5 Pro (possibly coming in 2024: more on that below) could deliver true/pure 8K gaming (rather than just 4K, or upscaled-to-8K gaming), with a 240hz max refresh rate (up from 120hz), improved memory, nearly double the computing power, and a significantly boosted GPU, which would lead to improved graphical performance. 

For people with the right additional equipment (ie. a top-of-the-range TV) to take advantage of these features, this could be a bit of a game-changer; particularly in the long term. The console may also come with more storage space.

It’s hard to predict whether the PS5 Pro will look much different to the standard and Slim models. Some are speculating that they’ll remove the curves and make the console flat-sided while sticking to a similar colour scheme. Others are predicting it will look almost identical to the Slim but with black faceplates. Either of those approaches sounds like an improvement to us!

We asked an AI tool (Craiyon) to predict what the PS5 Pro might look like and it came up with some interesting ideas (see below). The design to the left feels like a more stylised progression of the current design (we're getting Sith vibes here, which we love), whereas the one on the right looks a little more boxy and generic. 

The PS5 Slim Digital-Only Edition (released on 29/11/2023) will still set you back £389.99 (the same as the standard Disc Edition, despite the Digital-Only version not being able to play Blu-Rays or second-hand games; a big downside) and we’re yet to see a discount for the standard PS5 Digital-Only Edition, which is surprisingly still £389.99 too. Disappointing!

The PS5 Pro will probably be announced in 2024, with an August/September launch looking likely. However, there are also rumours that Sony might wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 to hit the shelves so there’s a big title available at launch which can demonstrate the graphical upgrades of the Pro – in which case, the launch will probably occur in 2025. 

Which is the best PS5 for you?

If you’re ready to buy a PS5 right now, and you’re not bothered about the performance upgrades coming soon with the PS5 Pro; the Standard PS5 Disc Edition is probably your best bet at the cut price of £389.99.

If you aren’t in a rush, and you want to make sure you get the best version of the PS5, the only option will be to wait until the Pro comes out.

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