

I'm a huge fan of the PlayStation 5 and in my original PS5 review for T3.com I concluded that it was "an awe-inspiring slab of shock and awe technology".
Despite that, though, the recent unveiling of a custom slim-line PS5 console by a talented modder got me thinking about what I would want from an official PS5 Slim.
As such, right here are the 3 key upgrades I'd like to see Sony make when introducing a PS5 Slim console, which if the firm follows the same update cycle as last generation, should be incoming in late 2023.
1. A more power efficient console
I don't know about you, but right now the cost of the living crisis has me running around my home turning off plug sockets left, right and centre. But when it comes round to my PS5, I have it permanently powered so that I can make use of its Rest Mode features like instant on and background downloads. Regardless of if the PS5 Slim was on or in Rest Mode, though, I like the idea of a system that doesn't cost me as much to run and game on. Over a year's worth of gaming even modest energy savings could really add up, so it would be good to see the console's energy footprint shrink along with its dimensions.
2. A compact design that retains style
I was one of the few people who actually really liked the OG PS5's design and size – it communicated futuristic awesome to me like the Xbox Series X's design does not. As such, while I feel the PS5 Slim would obviously have to be smaller than the standard PS5, I'd really want it to retain some sense of flare in terms of design. There's no doubting that the PS4 Slim looked dowdier than the OG PS4, so I feel Sony shouldn't throw away its style lead over Microsoft when it slim-lines the PlayStation 5. I'm not saying keep the same design, mind, and that leads me on to my final must-have PS5 Slim upgrade.
3. Easier and cheaper console customisation
Finally, I feel the PS5 Slim would be a great opportunity for Sony to rethink its console customisation options and how much they cost. Right now PS5 side plates cost too much money by far to make them an easy buy for most gamers in my opinion, so if Sony's smaller PS5 can have easier to swap and buy plates then more gamers would be able to customise their console as they wish. Making a console personal to you is still really important in my opinion to many gamers, so Sony could hit a home run here quite easily. Hot-swap, affordable PS5 Slim console customisation could really highlight the big black box aesthetic weakness of the Xbox Series X more than ever and help Sony foster a culture of creativity and uniqueness among the PlayStation community.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Rob has been writing about computing, gaming, mobile, home entertainment technology, toys (specifically Lego and board games), smart home and more for over 15 years. As the editor of PC Gamer, and former Deputy Editor for T3.com, you can find Rob's work in magazines, bookazines and online, as well as on podcasts and videos, too. Outside of his work Rob is passionate about motorbikes, skiing/snowboarding and team sports, with football and cricket his two favourites.
-
Arcam pushes important performance upgrades to a huge selection of devices
Arcam delivers updates to its AV receivers and some Hi-Fi components too
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Android Auto update arrives with Tesla-like feature – CarPlay needs to catch up
There’s been a flurry of Android Auto changes recently, but this one could matter
By Chris Hall Published
-
One of the most underrated sci-fi games of all time will be free on PS5 soon
All PS Plus members are getting a couple of Hollywood big hitters in the April drop
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Aston Martin just revealed the ultimate home racing simulator
This carbon racing sim by Aston Martin costs as much as a real car
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
I went into Atomfall expecting a British Fallout, but got a big surprise
Rebellion's retro-tastic sci-fi adventure is much more than previously imagined
By Rik Henderson Published
-
I tried a cutting-edge Asus gaming tablet, but it's left me conflicted
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2025) is impressive, but also weird
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
I didn't expect this game to blow me away on PS5 Pro, but it looks unreal
Assassin's Creed Shadows is a pleasant surprise
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
The 5 Xbox handheld features that would make rumoured console an instabuy
If Xbox's handheld console is real, I want these features
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
If you want good reason to subscribe to PS Plus, this free game is it
PS Plus Extra and Premium members getting much-loved action-platformer for free
By Rik Henderson Last updated
-
Nvidia's new ray-tracing tech has me excited to play one of my favourite old games again
Half-Life 2 RTX looks revelatory
By Max Freeman-Mills Published