What does the PS5 Slim mean for Black Friday?
Nov. 10, 2023The next PS5 is now available - but what does that mean for this year’s holiday sales?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The PS5 Slim is officially out in the wild, but while the new console is nicely timed for holiday shoppers its release so close toBlack Friday PS5 dealsmeans we’re more excited about the chunky console this year.
Yes, the two devices come in at a similar price. The PS5 with the disk drive already attached is available for $499.99 / £479.99, the same price as the standard chunky model, though without the stand (that’s an extra $29.99 / £24.99). The Digital Edition hits at $449.99 / £389.99 - $50 more than the chunky model in the US.
Being so close to release, though, we’re not expecting Black Friday to have much in store for us on the Slim model. A token bundle or two could head our way, but with a new model creeping onto the shelves, a $50 / £80 discount already under its belt this year, and plenty of early offers already landing it’s going to be all about the original device this year.
A new challenger approaches
There’s also the price problem. On paper, the Slim doesn’t match the original device’s value for money. Yes, the standard model holds the same MSRP, but that’s without the stand - add the extra $30 on top and you’re spending bundle prices on the console by itself. Then we get to the Digital Edition, already $50 more expensive than its predecessor without a boost in performance. Should you decide to add a disk drive and stand further down the line that’s going to cost you an extra $109.98 - $558 all in.
Considering Black Friday could well offer an original disk drive console with the stand included for its previous $449 sales price, the odds aren’t in the Slim’s favor this season.
ShouldBlack Friday gaming dealsbe particularly kind to us, we could see that $449 / £399 sales price back on the shelves, with a free game included. We’ve already seen a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 bundle do just that in the UK - the package is available for£399 at Very.
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Of course, if you’re going down the all-digital route you’ve got some number crunching to do. As mentioned above, the disk-less console is $50 more expensive in the US with an additional $79.99 cost for the disk drive further down the line if you realize you need it.
If you’re looking to get ahead of this year’s offers you can already pick up a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 bundle in the US. A range of retailers are offering the new console at its standard $499.99 MSRP with a free copy of the latest Call of Duty thrown in for free.
PS5 Slim | Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 |$569.99$499.99 at Best BuySave $69.99 -This Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 bundle is already out in the wild, offering a free copy of the newly released game with the brand new PS5 Slim. That’s excellent news for anyone after the redesigned console today.
Buy it if:
✅ You want a smaller console✅ You don’t mind subbing in a stand yourself✅ You need a disk drive
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You prefer the old console
Price Check:Walmart: $499|Amazon: OOS
We’re also rounding up everything we can expect to see fromBlack Friday Xbox dealsandBlack Friday gaming laptop dealsas well. For a more sizeable investment check out our predictions for this year’sBlack Friday gaming PC deals.
Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I’ve written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i’m focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.
Todd Howard “rolled his eyes” at the idea of Troy Baker playing Indiana Jones in the Great Circle, but the Bethesda boss later told him “you’re doing a hell of a job”
