A previously unannounced PlayStation 5 model has appeared in Australian stores, and it’s not only lighter than the original versions of the console but also comes with an improved screw for the stand. The size of both versions of the PS5 has been a source of memes and mockery since they were first announced, with many people comparing the system to a massive Wi-Fi router.
The launch models of the PS5 are heavy and unwieldy, with the system barely able to fit in some home entertainment centers, and it dwarfs the Xbox Series X when compared side by side. Most people are willing to overlook the size of the system as it’s whisper-quiet, especially in comparison to the aging hardware of the PS4. Those who are bothered by the size will have to continue to wait for the inevitable slim revision of the system further down the line, though. While Sony says the PS5 will meet 2021 sales targets, the fact that retailers are struggling to keep the chunky units in stock means that a consequential hardware revision could take a while to materialize.
In the meantime, it seems that Sony is already making small revisions to the PlayStation 5. According to Press Start Australia, a new variant of the digital and standard editions of the PS5 has appeared in stores in Australia. This new model has a different model number and is said to be 300 grams (or 0.6 pounds) lighter than the existing models, confirming a lighter PS5 hardware revision originally spotted in a product manual in July.
The other major change to the system can be found in the screw for the base. The PS5 has a stand that can be affixed to the system in both horizontal and vertical positions. A screw is required to keep the stand in place when the PS5 is vertical. It’s possible to close the screw with bare hands, but it requires a coin or screwdriver to tighten it properly. The screw that comes with this new PS5 model can apparently be fully tightened by hand and doesn’t require any additional tools. That doesn’t mean the new screw can prevent an owner from forgoing the stand and placing their PS5 upside-down, as was embarrassingly done in official Sony ad a month ago.
The changes made to the new PS5 are minor upgrades to the system, so it’s not surprising that Sony hasn’t officially announced the hardware revision. It’s likely that this new model of PS5 will become the default one found in stores going forward until it’s usurped by a new iteration of the system. The weight reduction and a new screw aren’t much to crow about, but they’re nice additions to the console’s design. However, people who are still desperate to get their hands on a PlayStation 5 likely won’t be holding off for one of these new models in regions where they haven’t rolled out yet, and it’s not clear when that could be.
