Xbox One S is Out; Should Sony Follow Suit with PS4 Slim?

Microsoft's latest Xbox One S has hit retail this week; TNT debates whether it would be a good idea for Sony to follow up with a slimmed-down PS4.

[ziggurcat]

the PS4 slim is pretty much inevitable at this point since Sony has released a slim model every single time they've released a console.

[darthv72]

PS4 is already pretty svelte so this could be the time when they don't make a slim. The intention to revise the system is when there is cost cutting involved and trying to spark new interest in it to consumers who don't already have one. Console remodels are nothing new but they are also nothing that is required unless the company feels it is time to make one.

A few notable platforms that got remodels: 2600, NES, Master System, Genesis, SNES, 3DO, PS1, PS2, 360, PS3

A few that didn't: Colecovision, N64, Saturn, Jaguar, Dreamcast, Gamecube, Xbox (OG)

Sometimes the design is fine the way it is and other times they find ways to make it smaller to save $$ in production. Sony could make a few changes like using physical buttons and a revised board with smaller chips so the existing cooling system is more efficient but as to its existing style, it is pretty good the way it is. It doesn't have any trouble selling so that is usually a big reason for a remodel.

[DragonDDark]

Didn't Sony already say that there will be a slim version or am I making stuff up?

[Nitrowolf2]

@dragon

A rumor said that a slim model would be coming out at the same time as PlayStation Neo

[UltraNova]

There are two options here, one is to release the slim along with the neo and risk one taking sales from the other or second do not release a slim at all then discount the vanilla ps4 and release only the neo then if things go south for the neo they can always release a ps4 slim.

Look if we think that MS's decesion to release scorpio next year and xb1 s now was propably going to hurt the latter what do you think would happen if Sony released both the ps4 slim and Neo at the same time?

[OB1Biker]

Hasn't the PS4 released from last year already got mechanical buttons?
Slim doesn't have to be much slimmer but can just be up to date with features similar to the xb1 S since Sony said the base model with be sold throughout the PS4 life cycle just the same as the PS4K Neo

[andrewsquall]

@Nitrowolf2 More than likely Neo IS the slim console and the standard PS4 model will be replaced with this slimmer version also.

[freshslicepizza]

if sony decides to release a ps4 slim and the ps4 neo it just goes to show they can't get away from tradition (coming out with a slim model every generation). the ps4 is already sleek enough and there really is no reason for them to have 3 systems out there at once. the xbox one needed a redesign. it was too big and the power adapter was also big. the xbox one 2 will also replace the current xbox one once stocks diminish.

there are rumors however about amd chips being the reason but we shall see about that but sony has done everything right thus far with the ps4 but they are probably a bit worried about how the ps4 neo might get some negative feedback. especially if it looks like psvr is struggling on the current ps4. i expect the ps4 neo to come out this year along with psvr and i doubt we will see a ps4 slim unles the rumors are true about amd chips.

[Yetter]

with the neo still predicted to be coming out this year I'd say a PS4 slim is pretty unlikely

[OB1Biker]

Not at all. IMO it makes sense to release a 'slim' (or at least up to date/improved) base model at the same time as the so called high end Neo and offer the choice between two different but up to date models. Better than one model and then the next year a different model.
Sony said base model and high end model will be both available tthroughout the PS4 life cycle.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Huh? Why?

PS4 Slim is legit all but confirmed at this point. That is like saying a Madden game is coming out....

[Aenea]

@EDMIX
Not this again, "all but confirmed" when all we have to go on is rumours...

Yes, normally they do release a slim, but normally they also don't release a mid-gen upgrade with a performance boost like the Neo so this time around it *might* be different.

So I find "all but confirmed" a tad too premature!

[Shubhendu_Singh]

There won't be a PS4 Slim, as they have no real need for it.

PS4 design as of now STILL rivals Xbox One S.
And you have to be pretty bad at predicting these things if you expect Sony will do a PS4-slim, the PSVR(400$) and a PS4Neo(+400$?) all in the same year. You can easily strike off PS4-Slim this way from the equation.

@Edmix : No it makes perfect sense. Why would Sony introduce 3 devices in the same 2-3 month and take a heavy loss because there is only so much the target audience can spend. Spreading out the devices launch, just like spreading out the games launch lineup is an obvious marketing strategy. If a person has only 400$, he will go for only 1 device. While if (assume) the 3rd device or something was launched later say March or something, then maybe that same 400$ person might get interested to buy it. Try to understand.

[_-EDMIX-_]

? No. That makes zero sense.

[Dir_en_grey]

Sony doesn't need to, the original PS4 is already smaller and more powerful than the XBOS.

[_-EDMIX-_]

What does that have to do with making a smaller more efficient PS4?

[Loktai]

Considering overall dimensions of the PS4 are still smaller than the S... and with a revised sku coming out... no need at this time to make a slim standard ps4 IMHO, but later it would be nice as a budget sku, like the PSONE and the super slim PS3.

[Rimeskeem]

I believe the S is smaller than the PS4.

Well then the article I read lied to me.

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHA]

I believe you are wrong...
Depth yes, hight and length its bigger then the ps4.

[Rimeskeem]

What's the point? The NEO is coming out soon.

[nitus10]

The point is to have a 4K BluRay player with HDMI 2.0 or better. Sure there may be a minor performance boost but overall the PS4 and the PS4 (slim or Neo) would not be in direct competition. Basically, if you want to play 4K BluRay and games then you get the so-called "Slim" otherwise if don't have a 4K TV and don't really plan on getting one in the foreseeable future then the PS4 which would be cheaper is for you.

Personally, I don't mind the wait for the PS5 when it comes out, by then 8K displays will be the norm.

[Rimeskeem]

But the NEO should have all the features. IDK, it's possible but at this rate there is no need to come out with a new PS4.

[BLow]

That's all nice and well but I could have sworn reading comments on here several times that not many people have 4k TVs . Now all of a sudden it's like everyone has one....hmmm. Maybe I'm missing something. I wouldn't be surprised if Sony released a slim model though but I'm just not sure if it's coming this year.
Other the other hand MS is doing all they can do to stimulate X1 sales so they need it more than Sony at the moment.
For me, if the Scorpio wasn't releasing so soon I would have pick up a slim but I'm just going to wait and have the best of both worlds. 4k and 6tflops...blah blah blah.

[uth11]

8K won't be the norm when the PS5 comes out because 4K isn't even quite mainstream yet

[_-EDMIX-_]

To offer a replacement for the normal PS4.

Whats the point of XB S? Sooooooo it makes sense MS is making a XB Slim and a upgrade, but Sony will only make a upgrade? LMFAO!

No buddy. They would have the same reasons for making a new, slimmer sku as they are the company that even started doing this in the first place. The concept of "enough" doesn't work in business and I have no clue why folks use this strange logic as "what's the point"

Soooooooo making money isn't the goal or? LOL! Don't open a business, trust me.

[Rimeskeem]

The Scorpio is coming out next year 2017 and the NEO is rumored for this year. I don't think they will release a completely new PS4.

[marquisray]

And ps5 after so should u buy a neo

[XXanderXX]

Why , makes no sense seeing how PS4 is selling 2-1 according to every site out there . plus what would separate the Slim from PS4.

[_-EDMIX-_]

PS2 was selling, they still released a slim.

PS3 was selling....they still released a slim.

The concept of enough doesn't exist in business and I have no clue what you or many on here are talking about. Don't make more money? Don't make are re-design? LMFAO! WHY?

If anything, it makes NO SENSE NOT TO! You nor anyone on here have even provided any real logical reason for them NOT to make a slimmer design.

"What would separate the Slim from PS4" I don't know bud, what likely did PS1, PS2 and PS3 Slim LMFAO!

Soooooo even with them doing it 3 times, you expected them to not do it a fourth based on "makes no sense" LOL!

History makes no sense to you bud, you should be seriously looking at it.

[XXanderXX]

Cause the model they have is slim enough and what on god green earth could they possibly add feature wise that will cause people to actually buy it over the PS4 out now . Also this is a different PlayStation division one who somewhat is holding sony up as stated by company executives , they are more self reliant on making better decision than when they released those other slim models . Seem best to just ride out the success of this model and release a whole new model as a next gen console ,while using said resources for games . JMO

[yeahright2]

Yes, but there was no PS2 Neo or PS3 Neo. From everything I've read it seems like the PS4 Neo is shaping up to land somewhere between the x1s and scorpio, so It can easily act as the PS4 slim.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@XXander- PS2 was slimmer then XB.

It still had a slim version. Is history just allergic to you or?

What is "enough"? lol To any company, such a concept doesn't really exist.

"Seem best to just ride out the success of this model" Because they've done that before?

I mean....you seriously need to just look up some history bud, if you ever want to know what a company will do, look at what they've done in the past.

The PS4 slim should not be news to you, we should not be having this debate...JUST like 3DS having a XL, NX will have their XL, NX Lite etc. I don't know what to tell you bud, that is like being shocked a burger place has a drive thru......

Why would they STOP doing what has worked for them? The reasons you just stated apply to all the past PS platforms buddy. You don't know what PS5 will have in it, so why would they save some design for a platform not yet made? As if they can't make many designs? LOL!

........ok.

@yea- What does that have to do with PS4 slim? PS4 Neo is not a Slim, Sony has even confirmed Neo is indeed a more powerful PS4, NOT a mere sku replacement.

Do we not have XBs and Scorpio? I mean......did any of you seriously NOT look at other examples before forming such opinions? LOL!

PS4 Slim is to replace the current sku, PS4 Neo IS NOT a replacement of the PS4 sku, it will be ALONGSIDE the new sku, MIND YOU, BOTH can have the new design.

Neither of you have even given great reasons why they shouldn't make a new sku to replace the current PS4.

Neo is not a replacement sku, it won't be the same power, it won't be the same price.....

Look at what MS is doing with XBONE S and Scorpio please, dear god ....THE EXAMPLE ALREADY EXIST yet you're coming up with this strange theory lol why?

[yeahright2]

@ED, I wasn't giving reasons why they shouldn't. if you read what I said, I talked about the Neo ACTING as the PS4 slim. to put it in simpler terms. I was saying why they didn't *need* to make a PS4 slim, not that the PS4 Neo is the slim.

[neutralgamer1992]

if neo is a 2017 than i think there should be a new model for ps4 with 4k player and hdr

but i seriously doubt sony will release one

i think neo is the next ps4

[_-EDMIX-_]

Neo is this fall....

Slim is very likely this fall too. BOTH are the next PS4 skus bud, Sony has sorta always had many skus...

[sk8ofmnd]

I think it would be almost ingenious to release a slim ps4 and put the neo innards inside.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@sk8- Both.

They could merely release a PS4 Slim and have a PS4 Neo that is also the design of the slim. (if it makes sense in regards to cost and design)

[Spectre_StatusN7]

Sony doesn't need to react to anything Microsoft does. This generation has been dominated by them from the start. Sony just needs to stay the course of what they have planned and they will remain on top.

[Silly gameAr]

Doesn't see like Sony are to worried or in a hurry to respond to anything.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Why should they? They have their plan and they intend to still bank on PS4 sales until they are ready to show off a new sku. I don't see many buying PS4 or XONE merely based on a different looking sku, they are buying base on games. So Sony is fine and I don't think they have much to worry about, they have the better line up, they can afford to wait unitil they are ready to release a new sku when they have it ready as to not lose out on sales in the mean time.

MS is clearly going to lose some sales based on this Scorpio thing as they've given a year for folks to wait to buy or not. What happens when during this time those same folks waiting, buy a PS4 or even a PC?

Why market that in which isn't even available?

To market a pizza shop as "coming soon" 12 months before opening, is merely to make someone crave your competitor's pizza's for 12 months.

They are pizza fans, they will not go without pizza for a year, waiting on JUST your pizza, thus....they must realize that they are merely marketing the idea of pizza and not really THEIR pizza for the first 12 months.

Is MS marketing Scorpio or are they merely marketing games running on more powerful hardware? With their games coming to PC, anything they show about Scorpio applies to Neo and to PC mainly. Risky and could hurt MS in the long run as they won't know just how many bought else where until they release their new sku, they may never know just how much though.

[yeahright2]

Blockbuster didn't feel the need to react to anything Netflix did either.
These companies are at their best when they take cues from each other. trophies, games with gold, things like that happened because they borrow ideas from each other

[PhoenixUp]

When PS4 sales start to falter then Sony will release a slimmer model. Until then there's no reason to put one out anytime soon with the sales being the way they are now.

[EpicSandwich]

Do you care more about sales or console quality. I seriously can't even believe Im asking such a question.

[XBgamer]

Believe me He cares more about sales.

[conanlifts]

Yes with hdmi 2.0 and 4k blu ray. Also do it in the next month. I want a 4k player and don't want to buy another xbox.

[nitus10]

You do realise that the 4K BluRay player is for 4K movies that will be displayed on a 4K TV, not for 4K games since even the best expensive graphics cards still have difficulty getting to 4K @ 60 fps.

[jukins]

The ps4 is capable of 4k video just needs an update. And it will only work for photos and videosof .

[conanlifts]

No hdmi 2.0a or hdr though. Not sure about the triple layer blu ray reading capabilities. I'm not convinced as Sony doesn't have a single 4k player on the market. But if it's true it would be good, although i want hdr and hdmi 2.0a for 60fps 4k support ( but mostly hdr).

[marioJP87]

The question is what generation hasn't Sony released a slim console in?

[Auron]

I desire the neo.

[SpaceRanger]

Never seen Sony react to MS when it comes to anything hardware. All last gen it was the other way around with HDMI, wi-fi and more. This gen it's even more examples of hardware following with bluray, Bluetooth, internal power supply and more.

Not to mention that the rough estimates I've seen put the volume of the PS4 still smaller than the Xbox One S (unless the other site's calculations of specs were off). So, I'd say the answer is an easy no.

[conanlifts]

But do you not find it strange that sony do not have a 4k blu ray player on the market. Surely adding 4k blu ray to the ps4 would be a normal thing for them to do. For me the weird thing is that ms not only beat them to it but that they also did it at a good price.

[SpaceRanger]

I don't find it strange at all. There's been talk over the last year, and more recently that current PS4s may be able to support 4K via a software update. My knowledge on the technical side of this is limited, but there seems to be a good amount of evidence leaning toward that. Potentially meaning that no one needs to spend more money for another PS4 that is already slim. Would be a game changer if true!

[nitus10]

While the PS4 can output at 4K it cannot play 4K BluRays (ie three-layer) since the actual 4K specs were only ratified in February last year. The PS4 does not support High Dynamic Range (HDR) of which there are two competing standards being proposed, in addition you will need HDMI 2.0 or higher. The first HDR standard is HDR10 which is an open specification while the second is Dolby Vision HDR which is proprietary.

More information is here: http://www.howtogeek.com/26...

[jukins]

Ps4 is already 4k capable and contrary to what was said it can read 3 layer 4k discs. It just needs the proper codecs. If I can come across the link it explains how the ps4 can play 4k discs. Sony is just waiting on market standards to settle.

[conanlifts]

I have seen the reports about the current ps4 possibly being able to play 4k blu rays. Pretty certain it won't happen as to my knowledge the ps4 only has hdmi 1.4a slot. This is not upgradeable via software updates to hdmi 2.0a ( its hardware, not software). Of course it could still output limited 4k, but again it wouldn't support hdr or 4k/60.
The other issue is that even if some newer ps4 consoles had different hardware to support an upgrade it would not support original ps4 consoles. The format wasn't finalised so the hardware didn't exist. This would be a nightmare for ps4 owners trying to identify if their particular console could support it and would lead to a PR disaster for them. In addition if upgrades like this were possible then surely instead of releasing new blu ray players companies would upgrade their current top line players giving them these capabilities.
I suspect they might be able to add streaming support through netflix though, but not 100% sure on this. Time will tell regardlesss and im looking forward to finding out.

[XBgamer]

If the PS4 could do 4K don't you think Sony would be marketing it and shouting from the roof tops.
They certainly been like that all this Gen with statements like.."most powerful console in the world"..."4theplayer s"..."this is how you share your games"...plus many more so don't you think they would market 4K if the base ps4 could do it!!!!

[EpicSandwich]

Don't really need to slim it down just add a 4k player, 4k upscaling and upgrade the controller and battery imo

[akurtz]

upgrade controller? doesnt need any, but any inprovements are welcomed

[yeahright2]

thumbsticks : they wear away too easily.

EDIT: for some reason only the first word was showing up.

[StormLegend]

No need for that! just release Neo with everything and be good. You could make that slim if you wanna.

[Inzo]

They can and probably will but they dont have to because lets face it, the PS4 is already a slim, sleek, beautiful piece of hardware.

[korgun]

They don't seem to care. Taking the wait and see approach

[Saranya]

Say Sony, "We have 8K support on PS4 Slim"

[Vitalogy]

I actually think that the ps4 already is slim.

[MasterCornholio]

I don't know of it needs to be slimmer, but 4K UHD Blu-ray playback wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Inzo]

"4K UHD Blu-ray playback wouldn't be a bad idea."

If you have a 4k TV, otherwise you wont see any difference at all.

[MasterCornholio]

I know but still some people would like that feature. But I agree it probably won't sell a massive amount of systems or anything. But it's still nice to have.

[Artemidorus]

I'd say no focus on the VR then make the Neo the slim design with more power.

Making a third console is pretty dumb considering Sony are offering alot already

[SaveFerris]

Instead of releasing a 'slim', perhaps Sony may just release a new sku in the same form factor but with improved/upgraded components (runs quieter & cooler etc.) like they did with the C chassis? This could include a 4K blu ray player, and HDMI 2.0

[Patm82]

Maybe the new Neo system is the slim to? :)

[C-H-E-F]

No, there's no need for the ps4 slim this generation, however they will "slim" it to cut cost later in the gen probably, I just want Neo that's all...

[King_Lothric]

Sony already has plans for PS4 NEO so they are not following or responding to the Xbox one S. Also, the PS4 was already a very good slim designed console from the beginning 3 years ago and still, is smaller than the new revised Xbox one S model so why there is a supposed idea that Sony should make a slimmer version?

Also, the PS4 is dominating the market and the Xbox one S is not going to change that, why would Sony be in a hurry to react to something that is no threat at all?

[hiawa23]

PS4 is already slim

[andrewsquall]

I thing the king of slimmer consoles will do whatever they want lol. After all, their current console's LAUNCH model is smaller than the 2nd reiteration of the Xbone console.

[XBgamer]

And the current ps4 is also the
2nd reiteration from Sony so I don't think they need to release a slimmer console.

[MasterCornholio]

Sony already has their second iteration. It's called the NEO. Kind of like how Microsoft had the Xbox One S which is slightly more powerful than the Xbox One. The NEO is the same idea which is a slightly more powerful system that supports 4K video.

I don't expect the NEO to be any slimmer though.

[sk8ofmnd]

The people in this thread that say sony doesnt need a slim are forgetting about consumers like me that want a 4k bluray player, hdr, and 4k upscaling. The ps3 seen 2 slims. Why on earth wouldnt sony cut costs and pass those savings on to the consumer. Its sad some of you are hoping sony doesnt release a slim and the neo is going to fail because its underpowered. Guess what, not going to happen.

[Elda]

Sony needs to continue doing what they're doing & that's continued releases of 1st to 3rd party console exclusives,which they have been doing a great job at so far.What good is a console with very limited console exclusives including original ones.

[jerjef]

Nah, everyone is saying that the Neo will be in direct competition with the One S and the Scorpio will be all on it's own unopposed so a slim will be pointless.

[Fist4achin]

I'm sure something is coming for the holidays. Some people have too much time or extra money to worry about such things. I wish I had both to game more...