PS5 Slim Review: 9.0/10 - Sony's Refined Powerhouse
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At a Glance
The PS5 Slim earns a 9.0 out of 10, delivering the same exceptional gaming experience as the original in a more practical package.
Prices last checked June 2026
Overview
The PS5 Slim is the mid-generation revision of Sony’s flagship console, shrinking the original design by over 30 percent in volume while keeping the same custom AMD hardware. Launched in late 2023 at $449 for the disc version and $399 for the digital edition, it packs an 8-core Zen 2 CPU (running at up to 3.5 GHz), an RDNA 2 GPU with 36 compute units delivering 10.3 teraflops, and a custom 1 TB SSD that delivers blazing fast load times (5.5 GB/s raw throughput). The detachable Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive is a welcome addition, letting digital edition owners upgrade later by purchasing the drive separately.
Design and Build
Sony reduced the PS5’s bulk significantly with four removable panels that snap off for easy access to the SSD expansion slot and the optional disc drive. The console ships with a horizontal stand included, but a vertical stand is sold separately, which felt like an unnecessary cost-cutting move. The cooling system remains effective with a large dual-sided fan and heat pipe assembly that keeps noise levels low, though the console still runs warmer than the Xbox Series X.
Performance
The custom RDNA 2 GPU with 36 compute units running at up to 2.23 GHz delivers smooth 4K gaming with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. First-party titles like Spider-Man 2, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and Horizon Forbidden West demonstrate exceptional optimization, often targeting 60 fps with ray-traced reflections at dynamic 4K resolution (typically 1440p-2160p using FSR 2 upscaling). The SSD’s raw throughput of 5.5 GB/s (PCIe Gen4 x4) is significantly faster than the Xbox Series X’s 2.4 GB/s, enabling near-instant level loading (Ratchet and Clank’s dimension rifts in under 2 seconds) and the Kraken decompression engine that reduces game install sizes by up to 60 percent.
DualSense Controller
The DualSense is the generation’s defining innovation, with adaptive triggers that provide variable resistance for actions like drawing a bowstring or pressing a brake pedal, and haptic feedback that delivers nuanced vibration textures from rain on glass to footsteps on gravel. The built-in speaker and gyroscope add immersion in supported titles, and the USB-C charging and improved battery life over the DualShock 4 make it a genuine leap forward. The light bar has been subtly integrated into the touchpad for a cleaner look.
Exclusive Games
Sony’s first-party output remains the strongest argument for choosing PS5, with critically acclaimed exclusives like God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part I and II remasters, Gran Turismo 7, Final Fantasy XVI, and the upcoming Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei. The PlayStation Plus catalog has expanded to rival Game Pass, offering hundreds of titles across Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers including classics from PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP.
Storage and Expansion
The 1 TB SSD in the Slim model offers roughly 850 GB of usable space, a welcome improvement over the original 825 GB. An internal M.2 SSD expansion slot supports standard Gen4 NVMe drives, and installing one is straightforward thanks to the tool-less panel access. USB external drives can store and play PS4 titles directly, while PS5 games can be stored externally and moved back to the internal drive when needed.
Pros
- DualSense controller with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback is the generation’s defining innovation
- Lightning-fast 5.5 GB/s SSD enables near-instant level loading
- Strong lineup of exclusive single-player titles (Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us)
- Detachable Ultra HD Blu-ray drive lets digital edition owners upgrade later
- Removable panels provide easy access to SSD expansion slot
- Excellent first-party optimization targeting 60 fps with ray tracing
- PlayStation Plus catalog rivals Game Pass across Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers
Cons
- Vertical stand sold separately - feels like unnecessary cost-cutting
- Runs warmer than Xbox Series X
- Less raw GPU power than Xbox Series X (10.3 vs 12 teraflops)
- Limited storage out of the box (850 GB usable)
- No Dolby Vision support for gaming
Verdict
The PS5 Slim earns a 9.0 out of 10, delivering the same exceptional gaming experience as the original in a more practical package. The DualSense controller remains the standout feature of this generation, and Sony’s exclusive lineup gives the console a compelling reason to own it. The removable disc drive is a smart design choice, though the separate vertical stand feels nickel-and-dimey at this price point.
Category Context
The PS5 Slim ($449 disc, $399 digital) competes directly with the Xbox Series X ($499, 12 teraflops, 1 TB SSD) and Xbox Series S ($299, 4 teraflops, 512 GB SSD). Sony’s console differentiates itself through the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers - a genuine generational innovation that Xbox’s standard controller cannot match - plus a stronger lineup of exclusive single-player titles (Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us, Final Fantasy XVI). The Series X has a power advantage on paper (12 vs 10.3 teraflops) and Game Pass offers better day-one value, but the PS5 Slim’s SSD speed (5.5 GB/s vs 2.4 GB/s) and exclusive catalog make it the better choice for gamers who prioritize first-party storytelling. The PS5 Pro (expected 2026) may address the resolution gap, but for most buyers, the Slim is the right balance of price and performance.
Sources
Where to Buy
Check current pricing on eBay or Amazon.
Prices last checked June 2026. Pricing and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
📊 Comparison: PS5 Slim vs. Competitors
| Specification | PS5 Slim | Steam Deck OLED | Nintendo Switch OLED | Valve Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $449 | $549 | $349 | $999 |
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8C/16T up to 3.5 GHz | -- | -- | -- |
| GPU | Custom RDNA 2, 36 CUs, 10.3 TFLOPS | -- | -- | -- |
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4 | -- |
| Storage | 1TB Custom NVMe SSD (5.5 GB/s) | 512GB / 1TB NVMe | 64GB internal (upgradable via microSD) | -- |
| Display | Up to 4K 120Hz / 8K | 7.4" HDR OLED, 1280x800, 90Hz | 7" OLED, 1280x720 | Dual 1440x1600 LCD |
| Disc Drive | Detachable Ultra HD Blu-ray | -- | -- | -- |
| APU | -- | Custom AMD Sephiroth (4C/8T Zen 2, 8 RDNA 2 CUs) | -- | -- |
| Performance | -- | ~1.6 TFLOPS | -- | -- |
| Battery | -- | 50 Whr (3-12 hours) | 4310mAh (4.5-9 hours) | -- |
| Connectivity | -- | Wi-Fi 6E, BT 5.3 | Wi-Fi 5, BT 4.1, USB-C | -- |
| Weight | -- | 640g | 420g (with Joy-Con) | -- |
| Processor | -- | -- | Custom NVIDIA Tegra X1+ | -- |
| Refresh Rate | -- | -- | -- | 120 Hz (native), 144 Hz (supported) |
| Field of View | -- | -- | -- | 130 degrees |
| Tracking | -- | -- | -- | SteamVR Tracking 2.0 (external base stations) |
| Controllers | -- | -- | -- | Knuckle controllers with finger tracking |
| Audio | -- | -- | -- | Off-ear speakers |
| IPD Range | -- | -- | -- | 58-70mm adjustable |
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- Features (20% weight): Breadth and usefulness of included functionality.
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