Sony didn't exactly reinvent the wheel when they dropped the new chassis, but the PS5 Slim disc version definitely changed the math for anyone sitting on the fence. It’s smaller. It’s lighter. It looks a bit like it’s wearing a tuxedo that’s a size too small. But honestly, the real story isn't just about the footprint on your TV stand—it's about the fact that Sony finally admitted we might want options later down the road.
You’ve probably seen the side-by-side shots. The original "fat" PS5 was a beast. It was basically a space-age radiator that didn't fit in anyone's IKEA Kallax. The new model trims about 30% of that volume. It’s a massive difference. When you actually hold the PS5 Slim disc version, it feels like a finished product rather than a prototype.
The most interesting thing about this specific hardware revision is the "modular" nature of the drive itself. Sony decided to make the disc drive removable. This is a big deal. If you buy the Digital Edition and regret it, you can buy the drive later for about $79.99. But if you get the PS5 Slim disc version out of the gate, you’re saving yourself the headache of a separate installation and usually a bit of cash on the total bundle.
The Storage Bump Nobody Mentions Enough
We need to talk about that extra 175GB. The original PS5 came with a 825GB SSD, which was frankly annoying. After the system software took its cut, you were left with roughly 667GB of usable space. In an era where Call of Duty and Jedi: Survivor can eat 150GB each, that was a joke.
The PS5 Slim disc version ships with a full 1TB.
It sounds small on paper. It’s not. That extra wiggle room means you can keep one or two more AAA games installed without doing the "storage dance" every Friday night. You still get the same lightning-fast 5.5GB/s raw throughput, so load times haven't changed, but the quality of life sure has. I’ve noticed that most people don't even realize they’re getting a storage upgrade when they swap; they just think the console got skinnier.
Why the Physical Drive Still Wins in 2026
Digital is easy, sure. But the PS5 Slim disc version is the better financial move. Period.
Think about the used market. You can walk into a local game shop or check an online marketplace and find Elden Ring or Spider-Man 2 for half the price of the PlayStation Store. If you own the digital-only console, you are locked into Sony’s ecosystem. You pay what they want you to pay. Having that disc slot means you can borrow games from friends or hit up the library. Yes, some libraries still carry games. It's a free hack that digital owners just can't access.
Then there’s the 4K Blu-ray aspect.
Streaming bitrates are getting better, but they still don't touch a physical 4K disc. If you’ve spent thousands on a high-end OLED TV, watching a compressed stream is like putting budget tires on a Ferrari. The PS5 Slim disc version serves as a high-end media player that handles HDR10 and deep color like a champ. It’s the "Swiss Army Knife" of the living room.
Small Tweak, Big Heat?
There was a lot of noise online when the Slim first launched. People were worried that a smaller box meant worse cooling. Logic says smaller fans have to spin faster and louder to move the same amount of air.
Actually? It's fine.
Expert teardowns from folks like Gamers Nexus and Digital Foundry showed that while the internal heatsink is smaller, the fan curve is tuned quite well. In a normal living room environment, you won't hear the difference between the old unit and the PS5 Slim disc version. It pulls roughly the same wattage under load. It gets warm, yeah, but it’s not going to melt your entertainment center unless you shove it into a cabinet with zero airflow. Don't do that. Give it room to breathe.
What You Actually Get Inside the Box
Sony is a bit stingy now. You get the console, one DualSense controller, and two little plastic "feet" for horizontal orientation.
Wait. The feet.
They are basically two clear plastic clips. They feel cheap because they are. If you want to stand the PS5 Slim disc version vertically—which is how it looks best—you have to buy the official vertical stand separately for $29.99. It’s a bit of a cash grab. The original PS5 included a sturdy, screw-in base that worked for both orientations. Now, it’s an extra tax. It's annoying, but it is what it is.
The faceplates are also different now. There are four separate panels instead of two. The top halves are glossy, and the bottom halves are matte. It gives the console a "slit" across the middle. This is where the disc drive attaches. If you ever want to swap out the covers for "Midnight Black" or "Volcanic Red," you’re buying a four-piece kit now.
Setting Up the Disc Drive
Here is a weird quirk: even though the PS5 Slim disc version comes with the drive attached, the first time you set it up, you need an internet connection to pair the drive to the motherboard.
This is a DRM (Digital Rights Management) move. Sony says it’s to ensure the drive is "authentic," but it’s a bit of a bummer for preservationists. Once it's paired, you’re good to go offline, but that initial handshake is mandatory. If you’re buying this for a cabin in the woods with no Wi-Fi, set it up at home first. Seriously.
Practical Steps for New Owners
If you just picked up a PS5 Slim disc version, or you're about to, don't just plug it in and start playing.
First, check your HDMI port. Use the cable that came in the box. It’s a high-speed HDMI 2.1 cable. If you use an old one from your PS4, you might not get 4K at 120Hz or VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support. It sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many people bottleneck their own experience with an old cord.
Second, go into the settings and look at your "Saved Data and Game/App Settings." Set your "Performance Mode" or "Resolution Mode" as a global preference. Most people prefer Performance Mode because 60fps feels significantly smoother than 30fps, especially in fast games like God of War Ragnarök.
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Third, consider a storage expansion immediately. Even with the 1TB internal drive, you’ll hit the limit faster than you think. The PS5 Slim disc version has an M.2 NVMe SSD slot hidden under one of the panels. You can pop in a 2TB drive (make sure it has a heatsink!) and suddenly you have a 3TB powerhouse.
Final Reality Check
Is it a "must-buy" if you already have the original PS5? Probably not. The performance is identical. You aren't getting more frames per second or better graphics. It’s the same engine in a smaller car.
But if you are upgrading from a PS4, or you’re finally jumping into this generation, the PS5 Slim disc version is the definitive choice. It’s the most flexible version of the hardware. You get the physical media support, the slightly better storage, and a design that doesn't dominate your entire room.
Skip the vertical stand if you can; just lay it flat and save the thirty bucks for a game on sale. Keep an eye on the disc drive "eject" button too—it’s now right next to the power button, and they look similar. You’ll probably mix them up for the first week. We all did.
Stick to physical discs for the big single-player releases. Play them, platinum them, and then trade them in. That's the real advantage of the disc version—it eventually pays for itself in trade-in value alone.