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PlayStation 5 Slim — 2023
Sony

PlayStation 5 Slim

2023

88
/ 100
From $499
VS
PlayStation 5 Slim wins by 3
PlayStation 5 Digital — 2020
Sony

PlayStation 5 Digital

2020

85
/ 100
From $399
Specdex verdict

PlayStation 5 Slim takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, PlayStation 5 Slim lands at 88 and PlayStation 5 Digital at 85. That puts PlayStation 5 Slim ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick PlayStation 5 Slim if…

  • ✓Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Store ecosystem
  • ✓Cross-gen compatibility

Pick PlayStation 5 Digital if…

  • ✓Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Store ecosystem
  • ✓Cross-gen compatibility
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Performance

PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared on the performance sub-score

PlayStation 5 Slim leads on performance (88 vs 85).

Games

PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared on the games sub-score

PlayStation 5 Slim leads on games (86 vs 83).

Features

PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared on the features sub-score

PlayStation 5 Slim leads on features (86 vs 83).

Value for money

PlayStation 5 Digital

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

PlayStation 5 Digital more score per dollar ($399 vs $499).

PlayStation 5 Slim 88
vs
85 PlayStation 5 Digital

Score breakdown

PlayStation 5 Slim
88
performance 88
games 86
features 86
value 82
PlayStation 5 Digital
85
performance 85
games 83
features 83
value 82

Specs side-by-side

PlayStation 5 Slim versus PlayStation 5 Digital — full spec comparison
Spec PlayStation 5 Slim PlayStation 5 Digital
Release year
2023
2020

PlayStation 5 Slim

Pros
  • +Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • +Store ecosystem
  • +Cross-gen compatibility
Cons
  • −Storage expansion pricey
  • −Dashboard UX ages
  • −Subscription required for online

PlayStation 5 Digital

Pros
  • +Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • +Store ecosystem
  • +Cross-gen compatibility
Cons
  • −Storage expansion pricey
  • −Dashboard UX ages
  • −Subscription required for online

FAQ: PlayStation 5 Slim vs PlayStation 5 Digital

Which is better, PlayStation 5 Slim or PlayStation 5 Digital? +

PlayStation 5 Slim scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is PlayStation 5 Slim worth the price? +

At $499, PlayStation 5 Slim delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in performance.

Is PlayStation 5 Digital worth the price? +

At $399, PlayStation 5 Digital delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in performance.

Does PlayStation 5 Slim or PlayStation 5 Digital last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for performance, PlayStation 5 Slim or PlayStation 5 Digital? +

PlayStation 5 Slim — leads on performance (88 vs 85). Compared on the performance sub-score.

Which is better for games, PlayStation 5 Slim or PlayStation 5 Digital? +

PlayStation 5 Slim — leads on games (86 vs 83). Compared on the games sub-score.