The first teardowns of the PS5 “Slim” reveal minor changes overall – Playstation

YouTube user Dave2D obtained an early drive and performed a detailed teardown, carefully analyzing the drive’s weight, dimensions, cooling system, and modular design.

The PlayStation 5 Slim has slight differences compared to the original model. Dave2D notes that the distinctive curved silhouette is gone, replaced by a more traditional rectangular shape. Despite being thinner, the overall footprint hasn’t been reduced significantly. The same YouTuber criticizes the small space saving due to the loss of the stylistic character that defined the PlayStation 5’s look.

Internally, the power supply, AMD processor, and other key components remain the same as the original PS5, rather than being upgraded with newer components as in previous slim PlayStation models. As a result, performance and energy efficiency are identical and not improved.

However, the cooling system has been redesigned with an additional heatpipe and, reportedly, a larger heatsink to enable quieter and cooler operation. Fan noise is now directed towards the side panels instead of straight up.

The biggest change is undoubtedly the removable drive, which connects via a special slot instead of a cable. This will allow users to easily add or remove the drive. But there is a ‘problem’ where it has been confirmed that the unit with the Blu-ray must be paired with the rest of the console and then the user must update its firmware before it can become functional. This means that repair or replacement by the user is still limited despite the modular design.

Additionally, the PlayStation 5 Slim offers more conveniences, like an orientation-insensitive kickstand and nice little design improvements. But as Linus Tech Tips notes, the largely unchanged core hardware represents an unusual half-step upgrade rather than the performance jump that has historically accompanied thin console releases. It is still not known exactly when the new PlayStation 5 will appear on the market this month, while there is no similar update on its European debut.