PS5 Slim Gets a Small Upgrade With Easier Battery Replacement

Sony has released another edition of the PS5 Slim, but it's surprisingly hard to tell whether it's genuinely better than its predecessors. Unlike previous hardware updates, this revision offers no clear performance improvement or a different model number. Instead, Sony has made minor internal adjustments, such as quicker CMOS battery replacement and possibly better long-term serviceability.

Identifying the New PS5 Slim Revision

Traditionally, Sony refreshes the PS5 about once a year, with model numbers shifting from the CFI-1000 series to CFI-1100 and CFI-1200. These changes make it easy to distinguish between different hardware revisions. But the new PS5 Slim model has a similar name, making it hard for buyers to know which version they're buying.

The inquiry started with the Wolverine Special Edition and a new normal PS5 Slim. The two consoles looked identical on the outside, and after removing the side panels, there were few noticeable differences. Most likely, it was a suspected CMOS battery change, which helps keep the system clock and other settings.

The CMOS Battery Makes the Difference

In older PS5 Slim models, the CMOS battery is soldered to the motherboard, so you need to disassemble a lot to replace it. Sony solved this with the PS5 Pro, which added a special access door for easier replacement.

It was quite hard to get a PS5 Slim with the same boost. After reviewing photos from numerous console owners, we eventually sourced a newer unit from Ireland. The console carried the CFI-2116 designation, compared with the existing CFI-2115 model, although these final digits may reflect regional differences rather than the hardware revision itself.

Once opened, the updated console revealed a more accessible CMOS battery arrangement, confirming that Sony had introduced a practical maintenance improvement.

Weight and Power Consumption Remain Almost Identical

Physical measurements showed little difference between the two consoles. The older PS5 Slim weighed 2,465g, while the updated model weighed 2,472g, a negligible 7g difference.

Power consumption testing delivered similarly unremarkable results. Both consoles ran Astro's Playroom under matching conditions while connected to power meters. Their electricity consumption was essentially identical, with the newer model occasionally using a couple of watts less.

That variance is so small it could be within typical console-to-console variation. This update doesn't appear to reduce power usage significantly, unlike prior versions that offered chips with major efficiency gains.

Inside the Updated PS5 Slim

A deeper look at the motherboard revealed how Sony made the change. The previous mobo had the CMOS battery soldered on it. The later one has a separate slot for a daughterboard, enabling the accessible battery setup. Apart from this adjustment, the motherboard layouts appeared fundamentally identical. Sony therefore seems to have modified an existing design rather than introduced an entirely new motherboard.

The cooling system was also examined, although no major redesign was established. The newer revision appears to use less liquid metal, potentially reducing the amount available to migrate over time. However, the long-term durability benefits of this change remain uncertain.

Is the New PS5 Slim Worth Buying?

The updated PS5 Slim is more of a quality-of-life improvement than a performance upgrade. Easier CMOS battery replacement should make future maintenance considerably simpler, while the potential reduction in liquid metal is another subtle internal adjustment.

However, buyers should not expect better gaming performance or noticeably lower electricity consumption. The two consoles performed almost identically during testing, and their internal designs remain largely unchanged.

For buyers choosing between both versions at the same price, the newer revision is preferable because it's easier to maintain. Unfortunately, Sony has made it unnecessarily hard to identify. Checking for the small battery access door beneath the side panel remains the clearest way to distinguish the updated hardware.

Ultimately, the new PS5 Slim introduces useful refinements, but a clearer model designation and a more competitive retail price would make the update considerably more appealing.