It looks like Sony won’t be able to surprise us as much as they wanted with the revelation of the PS4 Slim, expected to take place on September 7, as the device was apparently just leaked, and the materials look convincing enough to most fans. Responses among PlayStation fans have been mostly positive, and if the leak turns out to be genuine, this could be a very good release for Sony.
The PlayStation 4 had already established a leading position on the console market, surpassing Microsoft’s Xbox One in most markets. And now it looks like Sony are about to steal even more players for themselves, as there has been a lot of interest in their new console all over various gaming boards. We’ve even seen a video allegedly coming from the same source as the pictures that were posted initially, so the leak is starting to look more and more believable. At this point, all we can do is wait for Sony to make a statement on the situation, and of course that’s not expected to happen until the official revelation day.
We still don’t know much about the actual specifications of the console, but it didn’t take long for fans to notice that the DualShock controller visible in the leaks looked somewhat different. Indeed, it looks like Sony are preparing a revision of the gamepad’s design, and it would be interesting to see what they are preparing in this regard.
Reports from people who’ve allegedly had a chance to play around with the new console indicate that the controller not only looks differently, it actually comes with a better build and a much smoother feeling when held in the hands. This can only please fans, especially if the new gamepad is offered at a similar price as the original when it’s sold separately. Although, if it comes with any actual improvements in the hardware, Sony could easily charge slightly more for it and fans will still find it a good deal.
One report claims that there is a noticeable improvement in the battery life of the device, so that could definitely be used as a major selling point. Of course, this could be subjective, and the reviewer might be misled by a placebo effect, so we’ll need to see a larger sample of opinions to get the full picture.
Meanwhile, some have been wondering about the PS4 Neo, and the implications of the current leak for the other console. It doesn’t look like the Slim is going to steal any potential buyers away from the Neo (or vice versa), as they’re aimed at offering different experiences. Those who can afford the PS4 Neo will certainly appreciate the extra luxury factor attached to the console, but it won’t leave other fans feeling like they’re missing out on an essential purchase. In that regard, it’s good to see Sony offering a nicely structured selection of products, suitable for different budgets.
One thing that’s far from certain about the PS4 Neo is the console’s release date, as it doesn’t look like it will make it to the market this year. It’s still possible that Sony could rush it in time for the holiday season, but most publications seem skeptical about that. Sure, it would give the PS4 Slim several good months of uninterrupted market presence, but the two devices could still clash a bit if they’re out around the same time. Still, as we said above, the differences between the two could make that a non-issue.