A new teardown of Sony’s latest PlayStation 5 Slim revision has revealed several intriguing design changes, though not all will be welcomed by players. The hardware breakdown, performed by YouTuber Austin Evans following the model’s recent European launch, uncovered both cosmetic alterations and deeper engineering adjustments in what is now referred to as the 2100 model.
On the surface, the most noticeable shift is aesthetic. The console has abandoned the glossy paneling of the previous Slim version in favor of a full matte finish. While this change makes for a more uniform appearance, the true story lies inside the system. At 2,400 grams, the 2100 model is about 156 grams lighter than its immediate predecessor, a weight reduction achieved by reworking the cooling system and replacing some of the heavy steel shielding with thinner stamped metal.
The teardown also revealed changes to the cooling architecture. X-ray analysis showed a restructured heat pipe layout and a reduction in Voltage Regulator Modules from seven to five. Some metal components have been swapped for plastic, a clear signal of Sony’s focus on cutting production costs. Despite these revisions, thermal testing showed only a minor increase of about two degrees Celsius compared to the previous Slim model, while power draw was slightly reduced.
However, the most controversial discovery concerns storage. The new PS5 Slim ships with an 825GB SSD, a downgrade from the 1TB drive offered in the earlier Slim revision. This effectively reduces usable storage space by more than a quarter, a notable setback in an era where digital game libraries continue to grow in size. Buyers in Europe have noted that the new Digital Edition model, the CFI-2116, retains the same retail price as the 1TB version it replaces, prompting frustration over the lack of added value for consumers.
Key Changes in the PS5 Slim (CFI-2100) Model
- Reduced Internal Storage: The most significant change is the reduction of the internal SSD storage from the previous model’s 1TB down to 825GB. This results in a roughly 27% loss of usable space for the consumer.
- Weight Reduction: The new console is approximately 156 grams lighter, clocking in at 2,400 grams compared to the 2,556 grams of the 2000 model.
- Redesigned Cooling System and Components:
- The heatsink structure has been completely redesigned, with an apparent streamlining of the heat pipes seen in X-ray analysis.
- The number of Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) has been reduced from seven to five.
- The internal steel shielding has been swapped for thinner, more elaborately stamped metal, contributing significantly to the weight reduction.
- A metal shroud holding the fan was replaced with plastic.
- Exterior Finish Change: The console now features a uniform matte finish across all four outer panels, replacing the previous model’s dual-tone glossy/matte panels.
- Minor Port Alteration: The rear USB ports were observed to change in color from the blue of USB 3.0 to black, suggesting a change in the motherboard configuration.
- Performance Parity: Despite the component reductions and lighter cooling solution, power consumption and thermal performance were found to be nearly identical, running only about two degrees Celsius warmer—a minimal difference.
- Pricing: The new model maintains the same retail price as the previous version, meaning the manufacturing efficiencies and storage reduction do not translate into consumer savings.
Sony’s approach is consistent with its long-standing strategy of revising hardware to improve manufacturing efficiency while maintaining retail pricing. While the engineering adjustments highlight clever optimization, the storage reduction raises concerns about how these revisions balance cost savings with consumer expectations.
