In the ongoing legal battle between Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission, court documents have revealed that Microsoft expects Sony to launch the PS5 Slim sometime this year.
According to the documents, Microsoft believes that the PS5 Slim will be priced the same as the current PS5 Digital Edition, which retails for $399.99 / £359.99 / AU$599.95. Microsoft stated in court, “PlayStation likewise sells a less expensive Digital Edition for $399.99, and is expected to release a PlayStation 5 Slim later this year at the same reduced price point.”
Furthermore, Microsoft hinted at Sony’s plans for a PS5 Pro model in the future, stating that Sony “is anticipated to release further differentiated Pro and Slim models in the near future.” This suggests the possibility of multiple Slim models, aligning with previous reports of a PS5 model with a removable disc drive.
The potential release of a PS5 Slim does not come as a surprise, as previous generations of the PlayStation console have seen slimmer versions released a few years after the original hardware. These slim models often become popular due to their compact size and lower price point.
If the PS5 Slim does launch this year, it is expected to coincide with the holiday season (October to December), following the pattern of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S launches in 2020.
Sony has additional hardware scheduled for the near future, including the PS5 Access controller, designed to offer a more accessible gaming experience for a wide range of players. Additionally, Project Q, a handheld device for remote play with a 1080p display, is also in the works.
