Sony has once again released a revised version of its PlayStation 5. The console brings minor improvements – above all, it is more energy efficient.
For the second time, Sony has redesigned the interior of its PlayStation 5. This is quite common with consoles – and the changes this time should also be clearly welcomed by many given the ever-rising energy prices. Namely, the new PS5 version saves electricity compared to the previous one.
PS5 (1200) saves electricity…
The original PlayStation 5 was released on November 19, 2020. The first revision model came in summer 2021, but was not very convincing. Although the version was lighter than the original, the weight was saved in the wrong place. Sony has installed a different fan and a smaller cooling fin, both of which were a bit quieter than their predecessors, but also had a lower cooling capacity.
The new model, identified by the 12 at the front of the model number, is already available in Australia. As with the first revised version, the well-known YouTuber Austin Evans got his hands on a model and took a close look at the inside. He noticed that the new PS5 consumes around 20 to 30 watts less power when playing than its predecessors. In view of the energy prices, this is a real plus.
… and is lighter
Sony has also screwed on the weight again, but this time it doesn’t seem to be at the expense of the cooling performance. This remains almost the same, despite smaller cooling elements inside. The central circuit board, the so-called motherboard, is also smaller in comparison. In combination, this contributes to a weight loss of at least 200 grams. This results in a weight of approximately 3.9 kilos for the normal version and 3.4 kilos for the model without a drive.
The arrangement of the components has also probably changed fundamentally. Overall, Evans is of the opinion that the new PS5 not only saves power, but also generally represents an improvement over its predecessor.
Could new PlayStation end supply shortages?
The fact that Sony keeps fine-tuning its consoles is old hat. In this case, the new PlayStation version could fix a big problem. The console is still out of print in many places; if you want a PS5, you still have to keep an eye on all the shops and, if necessary, strike quickly.
With the revised version, Sony is now saving on materials. This not only leads to lower production costs – which unfortunately is probably not enough to reduce the price at least slightly – but also saves raw materials, which in turn would then be available for new PlayStations. Since the manufacturer has already announced in the past that it wants to ramp up production, this could be another indication of the imminent implementation.