Microsoft Expects PS5 Slim to Release Later This Year, Per Court Documents

Microsoft’s trial with the Federal Trade Commission over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard will see its verdict handed out in the coming weeks. There have been several revelations thus far, from MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and IO Interactive’s Project Dragon being exclusive to Xbox Series X/S to the budgets for Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2.

That’s not all, as court documents (page 48) see Microsoft claiming that a PlayStation 5 Slim will launch this year. It stated, “PlayStation likewise sells a less expensive Digital Edition for $399.99 and is expected to release a PlayStation Slim later this year at the same reduced price point.”

Sony hasn’t indicated that a new PS5 model is in development, but there have been rumors of a PS5 with a detachable disc drive. Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson reported that it’s attachable via a USB-C port. Along with standalone consoles without it, there will reportedly be a bundle that includes the disc drive.

However, there won’t be any major hardware changes and whether this is the PS5 Slim that Microsoft is referring to is unknown. The new model reportedly began production in April 2023 and is currently planned to release in September. Current models will allegedly stop production by Holiday 2023. As always, stay tuned for more updates.