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PS5 Models: Launch, Slim - Every PlayStation 5 Revision Detailed

Last Updated: October 30, 2025

A detailed view of the PlayStation 5 Slim model, highlighting its design and features.

Since the PlayStation 5's blockbuster launch in 2020, Sony has followed a familiar industry pattern of refining its hardware. Through a series of internal tweaks and a major external redesign, the PS5 on store shelves today is not the same machine that first appeared.

While early revisions focused on manufacturing efficiency, the latest model, widely known as the "PS5 Slim," introduced significant changes, including a crucial upgrade to its internal storage, offering gamers more space and flexibility than ever before.

The Original Behemoth: The Launch PS5 (CFI-1000 Series)

The original PlayStation 5 made a colossal impression, both in terms of performance and its sheer physical size. Launched in two variants—a standard model with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and a sleeker, disc-less Digital Edition—it was defined by its towering white fins and a glossy black center strip.

Under the hood, its signature feature was a custom-built 825 GB NVMe SSD. This lightning-fast drive was a game-changer, drastically reducing load times. However, after accounting for the operating system and essential system files, users were left with approximately 667 GB of usable space. In an era where blockbuster games frequently exceed 100 GB, this meant players often had to manage their libraries by deleting and re-downloading titles.

The Stealth Revisions: Lighter and More Efficient (CFI-1100 & CFI-1200 Series)

Throughout 2021 and 2022, Sony quietly rolled out updated internal versions of the original PS5 design. These were not announced with any fanfare and were primarily identifiable by their new model numbers (CFI-11xx and CFI-12xx). These revisions were invisible to the average consumer, offering identical performance and storage capacity.

The changes were internal, focused on optimizing the manufacturing process and improving efficiency:

  • CFI-1100 Series (2021): This model featured a redesigned, smaller heatsink. While this caused some initial debate online, extensive testing proved that cooling performance was not negatively impacted. The console was also slightly lighter as a result.
  • CFI-1200 Series (2022): A more significant internal overhaul saw another new motherboard and an even more efficient cooling system. This model was noticeably lighter than the launch version and consumed less power, marking a significant step in refining the console's internal architecture.

For gamers, these changes were beneficial behind the scenes, leading to a more power-efficient and cost-effective console for Sony to produce, but the core user experience and, most importantly, the 667 GB of usable storage remained unchanged.

The Main Event: The PS5 "Slim" (CFI-2000 Series)

In late 2023, Sony officially replaced the launch models with a significantly redesigned console. Dubbed the "PS5 Slim" by the community, this new version is the standard PS5 available today. It represents the most substantial evolution of the hardware to date, addressing key feedback from the console's first few years on the market.

More Storage, Not Less

The single most important upgrade in the PS5 Slim is the increased internal storage. Sony equipped the new model with a full 1 TB SSD. After accounting for system files, this provides users with approximately 848 GB of usable space—a welcome increase of around 180 GB over the original. This directly addresses one of the primary constraints of the launch console, allowing players to keep more games installed simultaneously without needing to immediately invest in an expensive M.2 SSD expansion.

A New Modular Design

The PS5 Slim is not only over 30% smaller in volume and significantly lighter, but it also introduces a revolutionary modular design. Sony has merged the concepts of the Disc and Digital editions. The new standard PS5 is a digital-only unit, but with a clever twist: you can purchase a separate, detachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and easily attach it to the console.

This provides unparalleled flexibility. A player can start with the more affordable digital model and decide to upgrade later if they want to play physical games or 4K Blu-ray movies. This modularity is a major win for consumer choice. The console's aesthetic was also updated, replacing the two large side panels with a four-panel design featuring a glossy finish on the top half and a matte finish on the bottom.

What This Means for Gamers Today

If you're buying a new PlayStation 5 from a retailer today, you will be getting the CFI-2000 "Slim" model. This is unequivocally the best version of the console Sony has released. The concerns of a shrinking digital library are lessened thanks to the larger 1 TB SSD, and the smaller form factor fits more easily into entertainment centers.

The evolution of the PS5 hardware has been a story of smart, iterative improvement. From silent internal revisions that enhanced efficiency to a major public redesign that delivered more storage and flexibility, Sony has refined its console to be a leaner, more capable machine. For gamers, the takeaway is clear: the current PS5 model is a mature and enhanced version of the hardware, offering a better out-of-the-box experience than the day-one original.