Microsoft expects Sony to launch a $400 PS5 Slim console this year

Microsoft expects Sony Interactive Entertainment to launch a PlayStation 5 Slim console later this year.

In documents published as part of its legal battle with the US Federal Trade Commission, the company said it expects the new PS5 model to cost the same as the existing PS5 Digital Edition console, which is $100 less than the standard PS5.

“PlayStation likewise sells a less expensive Digital Edition for $399.99, and is expected to release a PlayStation 5 Slim later this year at the same reduced price point,” Microsoft said.

The Xbox maker also said it believes Sony is preparing to launch a PS5 Pro console.

“PlayStation, meanwhile, currently offers two different versions of the PlayStation 5—one with a Blu-Ray player for physical media (Standard) and one without (Digital)—and is anticipated to release further differentiated Pro and Slim models in the near future.”

Last month, Sony announced a new PlayStation streaming portable device, ‘Project Q’.

It was described as “a dedicated device that enables you to stream any game from your PS5 console using remote play over wi-fi”.

While launch details and pricing weren’t revealed, Microsoft said in its legal filings: “Sony is also anticipated to release a handheld version of PlayStation 5 later this year for under $300.”

Last year, Insider Gaming sources claimed Sony was planning to launch a new PS5 model with a detachable disc drive around September 2023.

They said the console would be sold on its own or bundled with the detachable disc drive, which would also be sold separately and connects to the PS5 using an extra USB-C port on the back of the machine.

It’s claimed this model is set to replace the original PS5 by the end of the year.

Microsoft’s claims coincide with PS5 price promotions in Europe. Despite achieving record sales, the console has been significantly discounted in countries including the UK, Spain, Portugal and France, leading to speculation that Sony could be looking to clear old stock before introducing a new model.

In the UK, Sony cut the price of three PS5 console bundles (God of War Ragnarök, FIFA 23 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) available through PlayStation Direct from £539.99 to £479.99 on June 4, and they’re due to remain at this price until July 31.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently said a potential mid-cycle upgrade for Xbox Series X isn’t a priority for Microsoft.

Asked whether the company plans to release a more powerful Xbox Series X console, Microsoft’s head of gaming told Bloomberg he doesn’t “feel an imperative” to do so.

“That’s not the feedback we’re getting right now,” he said. “Right now, we’re pretty set on the hardware we have.”

Further reading

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Xbox Series X Pro not currently needed, says Phil Spencer

Microsoft’s head of gaming says “right now, we’re pretty set on the hardware we have”

Microsoft and Sony both launched their current-gen consoles, Xbox Series X/S and PS5 respectively, in November 2020.

While the companies have previously introduced major upgrades to their consoles after 3-4 years on the market, current generation supply issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic hit adoption rates and may have impacted the timelines for any planned mid-cycle hardware refreshes.

During last month’s Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft announced a new black version of the Xbox Series S with 1TB of storage. It will cost $349, which is $50 more than the existing white 512GB model.