Microsoft claims PS5 Slim is coming this year and reveals its price

Rumors that ps5 thin not new on the way. At the end of last year, some of its explicit characteristics became known, and in March last year, an Australian store mistakenly reported its existence. However, this time the news comes Microsoft — yes, from Microsoft — which mentioned Sony’s next console in a new document (via edge) related to the FTC lawsuit to block the purchase of Activision Blizzard.

Curiously, Redmond not only claims that Sony will release a PS5 Slim this year, but also, apparently, They also revealed their price. At the moment, we do not know if this is information that the Japanese have allowed to be made public, or if it is confidential information that Microsoft has chosen to release on purpose. Especially when you consider that the documentation includes other heavily censored fragments.

Information about the launch and price of the PS5 Slim is contained in a paragraph in which Microsoft challenges the FTC’s view of the game console market. There, he goes on to talk about the differentiation of models within the Xbox and PlayStation lineup, as well as comparing prices with the Nintendo Switch. It is in this context that another Sony device is mentioned. Here is the snippet in question:

“[…] The FTC analysis only considers the more expensive Xbox (Series X) and PlayStation (Standard Edition) models, thus ignoring differences within the Xbox console lines. In fact, the initial versions of the Xbox and [Nintendo] The current Switches are offered at the same price ($299.99), with the Xbox Series S selling for $50 less than the Switch OLED model ($349.99). PlayStation is also selling a less expensive digital edition for $399.99. and is expected to release the PlayStation 5 Slim later this year at the same discounted price.“.

So if Microsoft is right, Sony will release the PS5 Slim this year for $399.99.. That is, the price is identical to that of the PS5 Digital Edition; at least in the United States. Let’s not forget that in the rest of the world, the Japanese have raised the prices of their consoles. In Europe, for example, PS5 without a disc drive sells for 449.99 euros.

New PS5 Slim leak provided by Microsoft

Another striking point in this case is that Microsoft would not have just leaked the PS5 Slim launch. The same passage from the document contains a footnote that reads: “Sony is also expected to release a portable version of the PlayStation 5 later this year for less than $300.”.

It is logical to assume that the residents of Redmond refer to Project Q, their new device is focused on cloud games. Let’s not forget that this hardware is positioned more as an accessory to the PS5 than as a separate portable console. This is because it cannot run games natively, instead relying on Remote Play to stream from the PlayStation 5.

While Sony unveiled Project Q during the latest PlayStation Showcase, it did not reveal further details about its features. The price has not been disclosed either. That Microsoft says it will sell for less than $300 is striking, but it’s also not entirely accurate. The PS5 DualSense Edge controller is on sale in the US today for $200. And the new hardware seems a lot more expensive, especially with the addition of an 8-inch screen.

Let’s see how the PS5 release schedule pans out, but if Microsoft is right, the path seems to be paved for the Slim version, which will debut this year.. Recall that the main rumors indicate that this console variant will come with a removable drive. This way, players could buy it without the reader, and then, if they needed it, buy it separately.

At one point it was assumed that Sony intends to replace the standard PS5 and digital version with this Slim variant.. After all, if the public can buy it with or without a disc player, it will perform the same function as the two existing models. In any case, until the Japanese make it official, we will not know if this is actually the case.

When will PS5 Slim be released? In accordance with Insider Games It might be next September. It remains to be seen if it will debut at $399.99, as Microsoft claims.