You’re staring at the shelf—or more likely, a dozen open browser tabs—trying to figure out why Sony made this so confusing. It used to be simple. You either bought the one with the disc slot or the one without. Now, we’ve got "Slim" models replacing the "Fat" ones, but people still use the terms interchangeably, and honestly, it’s a mess.
If you’re hunting for the difference between ps5 digital and slim, you’ve probably realized the "original" Digital Edition is basically a ghost now. Sony stopped making the chunky 2020 launch models. What you’re actually comparing most of the time is the old Digital vs. the new Slim Digital, or the Slim Digital vs. the Slim Disc.
Let’s get into the weeds.
The Size Factor: It’s Not Just "Slightly" Smaller
The original PS5 was a monster. It looked like a futuristic skyscraper that refused to fit in any normal IKEA media console. The PS5 Slim Digital is roughly 30% smaller by volume. That sounds like marketing fluff until you actually try to slide it into a cabinet.
The old Digital Edition stood about 15.4 inches tall and was 3.6 inches thick. The new Slim Digital? It’s down to 14 inches tall and only 3.1 inches thick.
It feels lighter too. Like, way lighter. We’re talking about 2.6kg for the new Slim Digital compared to the nearly 4kg of the launch version. If you move your console between rooms or take it to a friend's place, your back will thank you.
Storage: The Stealth Upgrade
Here is where Sony actually did us a solid. The original consoles came with a weird 825GB SSD. After the system software took its cut, you were left with maybe 667GB of actual space. In a world where Call of Duty and Jedi: Survivor take up 150GB each, that’s basically four games and a prayer.
The PS5 Slim models (both Disc and Digital) bumped that base storage up to a full 1TB.
- Original Digital: 825GB (approx. 667GB usable)
- Slim Digital: 1TB (approx. 848GB usable)
That extra 180GB is huge. It’s the difference between having to delete a game every time a new patch drops and actually keeping your library installed. Honestly, even with the bump, you’ll probably still want to buy an M.2 expansion drive eventually, but the Slim gives you more breathing room out of the gate.
The Modular Secret: Why "Digital" Isn't Permanent Anymore
This is the biggest difference between ps5 digital and slim that catches people off guard.
If you bought the original Digital Edition, you were locked in. Forever. No discs, no used games from GameStop, no borrowing a Blu-ray from your uncle. If you wanted a disc drive later, you had to sell the whole console and buy a new one.
The Slim changed the game.
The Slim Digital is modular. There’s a connector hidden under one of the side panels. If you decide six months from now that you’re tired of paying $70 for digital downloads and want to buy cheap used discs, you can just buy the detachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive separately for $79.99.
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You just snap it on. No tools. No weird soldering. It basically turns your Digital console into a Disc model. It's a safety net for the indecisive.
Ports and Aesthetics: The Small Stuff
Look at the front of the consoles. The old models had one USB-C and one USB-A port. The Slim moved to two USB-C ports on the front.
Is this a big deal? Kinda. Most modern headsets and chargers use USB-C now, so it’s "future-proofed." But if you still have an old-school thumb drive or a legacy controller cable, you’ll be reaching around to the back of the Slim more often.
Visually, the Slim has four cover panels instead of two. The top ones are glossy, the bottom ones are matte. It looks a bit more "fragmented" than the original's clean sweeping wings.
Is Performance Actually Different?
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: Still no.
They use the same processor. The same RAM. The same GPU. You aren't getting better frame rates or "prettier" graphics by getting a Slim. A game that runs at 60fps on an original PS5 Digital will run at 60fps on a Slim Digital.
There were some early rumors about the Slim running hotter because it’s smaller, but real-world testing from tech experts like Digital Foundry showed the cooling system is surprisingly efficient. It draws about the same power and stays just as quiet. You aren't sacrificing "juice" for the smaller footprint.
The Pricing Trap
This is where it gets annoying. The original PS5 Digital Edition launched at $399. When the Slim Digital replaced it, the price jumped to $449.
You’re paying $50 more for a smaller box and a bit more storage. Sony basically realized they were losing too much money on the $399 price point and used the "Slim" redesign to hike the price.
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Quick Reality Check
- The Stand Situation: The original PS5 came with a stand that worked for both vertical and horizontal setups. The Slim comes with two tiny plastic "feet" for horizontal use only. If you want to stand your Slim up vertically, Sony wants another $30 for a circular metal stand.
- Connectivity: The Slim Digital requires an internet connection the first time you pair the detachable disc drive (if you buy one). This is for "licensing," which has some preservationists worried, but for 99% of people, it’s a one-time setup annoyance.
The Actionable Verdict
If you can somehow find a "New Old Stock" original Digital Edition for $399, grab it. It’s the better value.
But since those are mostly gone, here is how you should decide:
- Buy the PS5 Slim Digital if: You have a small TV stand, you never plan on using discs (or want the option to add a drive later), and you value that extra 175GB of internal space.
- Buy the PS5 Slim Disc if: You have a collection of PS4 discs, you like watching 4K Blu-rays, or you want to save money in the long run by buying used games.
Next Step: Check your local retailers for "CFI-2000" model numbers—that’s the Slim. If you see "CFI-1000" or "CFI-1100," you’ve found an original "Fat" model, which might be cheaper if the store is trying to clear old inventory.