Sony's PlayStation 5 now comes in three distinct forms: the original PS5, the slimmer redesign that replaced it, and the high-end PS5 Pro. If you're trying to decide between them, the choice is genuinely consequential. The price gap between the cheapest and most expensive option sits at several hundred dollars in Australia, and the performance differences aren't always visible in marketing language. This guide cuts through it.
What are the three models, exactly?
The original PS5 launched in November 2020 in a disc and digital edition. Sony replaced both with the PS5 Slim in late 2023: physically smaller, lighter, and with a detachable disc drive sold separately. The PS5 Pro arrived in November 2024 as a premium, disc-free model aimed at players who want the best graphics the console can produce. All three share the same game library and use the same DualSense controller. What separates them is hardware, size, price, and in one important case, what's included in the box.
PS5 Slim: the sensible default
The PS5 Slim is the console Sony ships as its standard model. It runs the same custom AMD CPU as the original PS5, so game performance is identical. What changed is the chassis: the Slim is roughly 30% smaller by volume and noticeably lighter, which matters if you're squeezing it into an entertainment unit. It comes in disc and digital editions, though the disc drive on the digital version can be added later via Sony's detachable unit.
For most Australian buyers, the PS5 Slim is the right answer. It plays every PS5 game at the same quality as the original, costs less than the Pro, and is widely stocked at JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and EB Games. Current Australian pricing puts the Slim's disc edition around AU$799 and the digital edition around AU$649, though these shift with promotions and stock availability.
PS5 Pro: who it's actually for
The PS5 Pro has a meaningfully upgraded GPU. Sony built in roughly 45% more compute units than the standard PS5, added support for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony's proprietary AI upscaling technology, and pushed ray tracing performance up substantially. In supported games, this translates to cleaner 4K images, higher or more stable frame rates, and ray tracing running in modes where it previously wasn't available.
The catch is threefold. First, the PS5 Pro costs AU$1,099 at launch and doesn't include a disc drive. That's not a small outlay. Second, only PS5 Pro Enhanced games actually use the extra hardware. Not every title has received the patch, and some never will. Third, unless you own a 4K TV with Variable Refresh Rate support, you'll see diminishing returns. For a thorough look at whether the upgrade makes sense if you already own a standard PS5, the breakdown in PS5 Pro vs PS5: is the upgrade worth it? goes deeper on the specific scenarios where PSSR and frame rate improvements are genuinely visible.
The Pro is the right choice for players who already own a 4K HDR TV, care about image quality and frame rate consistency, play the titles most likely to receive Pro enhancement patches (major first-party Sony games, AAA multiplatform releases), and don't want to compromise. It's a poor fit if you're gaming on a 1080p screen or if most of your time goes into games that haven't been patched.
What about the original PS5?
The original disc and digital editions are essentially off the market as new units. Sony replaced them with the Slim as the in-production model. You'll occasionally find original PS5 consoles as refurbished stock or through private sellers, sometimes at lower prices than the Slim. Performance is identical to the Slim in every game. The only practical reasons to prefer one are price (if you find a genuine deal) and aesthetics. The original is physically larger and runs slightly warmer. Don't pay a premium for it.
The disc drive question
All three models have an equivalent without a disc drive, and the PS5 Pro ships disc-free by default. This matters for two reasons. Physical game discs are still widely available in Australia and regularly cheaper than digital equivalents, particularly for back-catalogue titles. And disc drives let you resell games. If you buy a lot of physical media or value the used game market, pay the premium for the disc edition on a Slim, or budget for Sony's detachable disc drive (around AU$129) alongside the Pro.
Side-by-side comparison
- PS5 Slim (disc): AU$799, full PS5 performance, disc drive included, smaller chassis than original
- PS5 Slim (digital): AU$649, same performance, no disc drive, detachable drive available separately
- PS5 Pro: AU$1,099, upgraded GPU, PSSR upscaling, enhanced ray tracing, no disc drive included
Which should you actually buy?
Buy the PS5 Slim disc edition if you want the best balance of value and capability. It plays everything the Pro plays, costs AU$300 less, and includes the disc drive. Buy the digital Slim if price is the top priority and you're comfortable with an all-digital library.
Buy the PS5 Pro if you own a 4K TV with VRR, play graphically demanding titles that have received Pro enhancement patches, and genuinely care about hitting 60fps in modes that previously ran at 30. At AU$1,099 without a disc drive, it's a premium product for players who will notice the difference. If you're connecting to a 1080p screen, don't buy the Pro. The hardware improvement will be invisible at that resolution.
One final practical note: the PS5 Pro upgrade checklist at PS5 Pro upgrade checklist: what to do before you sell your old console covers every step between your current setup and the new hardware, including data transfer and account prep, which is worth reading before you commit.