A leaked Microsoft document has provided insight into Sony's plans for the PlayStation 5 lineup. The document, part of Microsoft's legal argument in its ongoing battle with the FTC, sheds light on the PlayStation 5 Slim and a handheld device expected to be released by Sony later this year.
According to the paper, Microsoft explicitly states that Sony is preparing to launch a PlayStation 5 Slim edition in 2023. Most importantly, the document reveals the pricing for this slim version, which is set at a reduced retail price of $399.
Currently, the only choices available are the $399 PS5 Digital Edition, which lacks a disk drive, or the $499 PS5 with a built-in drive. This pricing strategy places the PlayStation 5 Slim in the same price bracket as the current digital edition of the PS5, creating an interesting dilemma for consumers.
PlayStation likewise sells a less expensive Digital Edition for $399.99 and is expected to release a PlayStation 5 Slim later this year at the same reduced price point.
Microsoft's leaked document also suggests that Sony is expected to launch a handheld version of the PlayStation 5 later this year. However, the information in the document regarding the handheld device is not entirely accurate. Sony made a hardware announcement during its PlayStation Showcase event.
The device, which is called "Project Q" during the Showcase, will have an eight-inch HD screen and all of the buttons of the company's DualSense PS5 controller. Rather than a standalone handheld console, Sony's plan is for a device that can stream PS5 games over Wi-Fi from a connected PS5 console.
Microsoft's leaked document does not cite specific third-party sources for the timing and pricing of the PlayStation 5 Slim. However, this leak has fueled speculation about Sony's sales strategy for the remainder of the year. Neowin reported earlier that PlayStation 5 sales hit a record 7.1 million units in 2022 Q3, crossing 20 million units sold to date.
Source: Microsoft court document via The Verge
