KEY POINTS

  • Sony released the PS5 Digital Edition in November 2020
  • A new leak suggests the gaming system may get a lighter version
  • Sony has not yet said anything about the new model refresh

A new PlayStation document has recently surfaced online, suggesting that Sony may be working on a model refresh of the PS5 Digital Edition, which will be lighter than the original version.

The official product manual of the new model refresh of the PS5 Digital Edition was shared Tuesday on Twitter by industry insider Renka_Schedule. The product manual, which is available on the official Playstation Japanese website, reveals that the gaming system weighs 3.6 kilograms. This is 300 grams less than the version Sony released less than a year ago.

The supposed new PS5 Digital Edition model also features a new thumbscrew for the system.s vertical stand. With this new change, owners do not need a screwdriver or a coin to set the system. The console's manual also makes it appear as if the new screw is a little reinforced for added durability.

While a PS5 normally costs between £360 and £450 ($500/$627, 420/525 euros) depending on the model, its median resale price on sites like eBay is £650-750, according to US researcher Michael Driscoll.
While a PS5 normally costs between £360 and £450 ($500/$627, 420/525 euros) depending on the model, its median resale price on sites like eBay is £650-750, according to US researcher Michael Driscoll. AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

Interestingly, those are the only notable changes found in the console's manual. The system still houses a beefy internal power supply, massive heatsink and a lot of shielding. The new PS5 Digital Edition hardware was reportedly listed on the websites of various Japanese retailers and would reportedly go on sale at the end of this month.

It was not new to see consoles getting slimmer versions years after they were introduced in the market. In fact, Sony released the PlayStation 4 Slim in 2016. At the time, it featured major redesigns and had significant changes not only in weight but also in its overall size. But it is definitely not what this recent leak is about.

If the Japanese gaming giant is indeed releasing this version, it will definitely offer some explanations on the changes that are being made. For now, fans should temper their expectations about this supposed hardware revision. While the details come from the gaming system's official site and manual, these are not yet official.

PS5 fans should not expect to see any genuine revision very soon. Hardware revisions usually come four or five years after the console's launch. And, Sony has not yet met all the demands for its new generation gaming console. It is possible that the company would like to focus first on how to resolve this issue than to introduce its new revised version.