LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sony has officially announced the upcoming release of the PlayStation 5 slim, which is set to hit stores during the holiday season. The new version of the popular gaming console features a smaller design and an increased storage capacity of 1TB, compared to the original version’s 825GB. It also includes the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive to the PS5 Digital Edition.

Sid Shuman, Senior Director of SIE Content Communications, stated in a post on the PlayStation Blog that the new PS5 was developed to cater to the evolving needs of gamers. Sony’s engineering and design teams worked together to create a smaller form factor that still maintains the advanced technology features of the original console. The new model also includes a 1TB SSD for additional internal storage.

According to Sony, the redesigned PS5 is approximately 30% smaller in volume and 18% to 24% lighter than its predecessors. It features four distinct cover panels, with a glossy finish on the top portion and a matte finish on the bottom. The Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for the PS5 Digital Edition can be purchased separately for $79.99.

The new PS5 model will be available at select retailers in the United States starting in November, with a global rollout to follow. Once the current PS5 inventory is sold out, the slim version will be the only model available. The prices for the new PS5 model range from $449.99 for the PS5 Digital Edition to $499.99 for the PS5 with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive.

Included with the new PS5 model is a horizontal stand, while a vertical stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately for $29.99. The specifications for the new PS5 models include an AMD Ryzen “Zen 2” CPU, an AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine, and system memory of GDDR6 16GB.

Industry analysts have weighed in on Sony’s decision to release a slim version of the PS5. Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, noted that this move reflects Sony’s strategy for the next generation of gaming consoles. Piers Harding-Rolls, games industry analyst at Ampere, predicted that the Digital Edition of the PS5 will see increased sales due to the ability for users to upgrade the console.

In conclusion, Sony has announced the release of the PlayStation 5 slim, which offers a smaller design, increased storage capacity, and the option to add a Blu-ray disc drive. The new console will be available in November at varying prices depending on the edition. Industry experts believe that the Digital Edition will gain traction and contribute to higher digital game sales.