When rumblings of a previously unconfirmed slim version of the PlayStation 4 started to hit the internet a couple of days ago, they went largely ignored. When those rumblings were backed up by leaked photos and hands-on reports from individuals who claim to have acquired one early, people became much more curious. Now that Sony has gone out of their way to remove every photo and video of the PlayStation 4 Slim from the internet, it is as good as confirmed that the console is real and that we already know quite a lot about it.
As the name suggests, the PlayStation 4 Slim is, essentially, a thinner version of the PlayStation 4. It is not to be confused with the PlayStation 4 Neo which will reportedly significantly upgrade the base console’s hardware capabilities.
What does this console have to offer, then, if it doesn’t improve the actual hardware of the PlayStation 4 that much? Well, most of the changes are purely visual or otherwise related to fixing minor problems with the current PlayStation 4.
For instance, the system reportedly runs much quieter and cooler than the current PlayStation 4 to the point where some early owners have stated that they don’t even hear it running at all. The PlayStation 4 Slim also fixes the sometimes tricky pressure sensitive power and eject buttons of the current model by replacing them with more traditional options on the bottom left of the console’s front. As Sony is taking down all media related to the console, we are not allowed to post a picture of the design, but can say that it is much more square than the current model.
The PlayStation 4 Slim also comes with a new DualShock controller that appears to have the same battery as the current version but does feature a more transparent touchpad that allows the light bar on top of the controller to shine through the front as well.
As for the price and release date, those are still a bit of a mystery. One early leak from a UK-based retailer had the MSRP set at £380 (about $499.99), but there is no confirmation of that figure at this time. It should also be said that Sony is expected to release several versions of the system with different hard drive sizes, so it’s not currently known which version that price point may apply to. Additionally, the fact that this console looks to be finished has some speculating that it will be on shelves as early as September, but that is also unconfirmed.
We hope to receive more information about the PlayStation 4 Slim when Sony holds their New York City press conference on September, 13th.
