"Super Slim" PS3 Could Put PS4 Launch Window Into 2014

The rumors continue to swirl concerning a new "super slim" PlayStation 3, which could be the new 4000 model that has recently hit headlines.

The latest update to the rumor says a slimmer PS3 with 16GB worth of flash memory will retail for $149.99, and analysts are saying this could be a "game changer" for Sony.

Here's what M2 Research analyst Billy Pidgeon had to say:

"A dramatic price reduction to $150 for PS3 would be terrific for Sony and for the industry overall. A value-priced PS3 could rapidly increase the base and would free up more consumer revenue for higher software sales volume. Sony already has a strong edge in Europe, but the economy is weak and generous hardware price cuts will have big impact. Microsoft would suffer deeper market share loss in Europe and with value pricing PS3 could outsell Xbox 360 in the U.S. where Microsoft has dominated monthly hardware sales."

He added that Microsoft is less likely to drop the price of the Xbox 360, as sales remain strong and they've got Halo 4 releasing this fall. But if Sony does release a $150 PS3 option, Microsoft may feel more pressure. Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter thinks Sony should've made this move "a while ago" and although he doesn't think the move will have a huge impact on the competition, Microsoft and Nintendo might still react. IDC Research's Lewis Ward had possibly the most intriguing response:

"I think it is a big deal if the 4000 SKU as currently outlined is real.  Things are moving fairly quickly in the console hardware space right now and this design appears to be a major step toward making game consoles like plug-and-play living room appliances and set-top boxes. Storage is moving to the cloud. Not only does it allow for software piracy checking but it's more efficient (and saves money) since many HD console owners today don't wind up using all the onboard memory they have. Of course, Sony could also sell add-on memory. ..

Perhaps this offering will be Sony's final bid to drive up the PS3 installed base beginning this holiday season before turning its attention to the PS4. If the SKU proves popular it could push the PS4 launch window back to late 2014."

It's probably coming, so what do you think?

Tags: ps3, ps3 slim, ps3 super slim ps3 new model, playstation 3

7/23/2012 8:48:28 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (45 posts)

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Red 5
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:21:05 PM
Reply

Hi:
What can I do with only 16GB? I first thought it was a "typo" from 160GB.
PS3 sales pushing forward the PS4 makes a little sense but, I think I want the PS4 sooner (maybe a little after The Last of Us).

2 up, 0 down

godsman
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:57:24 PM

I believe the 16Gb is the best deal. Both PS3 that I bought, I end up upgrading the hard drive over time. If you can save $100 bucks and buy a much larger hard drive in the future... why not?

7 up, 3 down

sirbob6
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 10:08:25 PM

godsman has a point, I bought a 1 Tb hard drive for my phatty for only $60 a while back. They are easy to find and easy to install

2 up, 1 down

daus26
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 12:01:34 AM

Well they're saying it's "flash" memory, so I don't think we'd be able to upgrade it normally like we do with the regular slim. Of course, that's assuming that the Super Slim won't use spinning hdds, but I doubt that, mainly because flash drives of 250gb, which is the other SKU, is still waaaaay expensive.

3 up, 0 down

firesoul453
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 3:27:43 PM

Here is what I am hoping for!

A ps3 with 16 gigs built in flash and an open hard drive slot!

2 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 1:01:07 AM

Soooo...the PS3 will have built-in flash memory, but the Vita doesn't. That makes all sorts of sense.

1 up, 0 down

VampDeLeon
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:32:08 PM
Reply

Well, it's definitely more than the 360's 4GB system. Hopefully it would have a user-friendly slot to upgrade the hard drive space and then they could promote that.

4 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:39:08 PM

Fark yeah, great price range to pop a 500gigger into. Otherwise small time gamers would have to constantly be wiping game data, though it would still serve as a low prices entry into truly elite gaming technology for those still behind.

3 up, 3 down

firesoul453
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 3:29:28 PM

I know some parents who bought these for their kids. They ended up buying a new flash drive eveytime they need more space.
I recommend they just spend the money to get a bigger hard drive but they don't want to spend that much

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:37:23 PM
Reply

I think it's a great idea to have a value priced system to bring the last lingering chunk of slowpokes over to the good guys, then the PS4 can hang onto those folks by continuing to be awesome and having backwards compatibility.

It's a good way to finish off the competition at the end of this particular console war too. 360-only gamers don't have much to look forward to and might see Beyond, TLoU, and maybe TLG and decide they should probably try something that isn't same old same old. I think those games can be system sellers.

5 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:42:30 PM
Reply

Ugh, my fat PS3 took a dump. Again! The drive won't accept discs. Hopefully the PS4 is better built. The PS3 is generally a solid machine but I have had to repair my ps3's at least 5 times since launch between my slim and fat. Never once had to repair or replace my PS1 or PS2. If its too expensive to fix my fat I might just pick up a slimmer slim.

4 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:50:04 PM

That is quite unusual so many times; my friend's recently started to not play DVD movies.

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 10:08:00 PM

That's what happened to me the first time but it was the blue ray laser. I sent it in to Sony for repair then less than a month later it got YOLD. Then on my Slim, the power source died and it's having disc drive problems too. And as of yesterday, the fats disc drive went kaput. It might just be out of alignment so I might be able to fix it myself. If not then, blah, not sure what I'll do.

1 up, 0 down

Coffeya
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:36:07 PM

When I hear people talk like that I get scared for my machine...

2 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:38:33 PM

jeesh, jawknee, that sucks. did you guys like use your PS3 for several hours every day, or something? Hope my slim doesn't konk anytime soon.

0 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:53:08 PM

Sorry to hear about your loss.

This year I'm impressed with the number of people saying their PS3 are dying, it's making me nervous about my fat's health.

1 up, 0 down

Qubex
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 12:10:54 AM

That is unfortunate Jawknee... touch wood my original PS3 phatty is still going strong. But I don't use it much to play games actually, more for Linux and to play movies, including Blu-Rays.

My Slim on the other hand takes the hammering of Battlefield and the like. It also runs cooler so I don't mind pushing it hard...

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

0 up, 0 down

gunblademaster
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 1:11:47 AM

Sony controllers are poorly made. From ps1 to ps2 to ps3 I've had numerous controller problems where either a button does not work or the entire thing stops working. I tend to take care of my controllers so either the controller is the problem or my luck.

1 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 2:00:21 AM

Thanks guys.

Temji, ummm, well the Slim gets a decent use. Between Netflix and gaming it probably gets used serveral ours a day depending on who's home. The fat mostly gets used for blue rays and digital games. Been messing with the fat the last hour and I'm starting to suspect a certain Tiny tried to put something in the slot that she wasn't supposed to. Haha

Have not had any problems with their controllers Gunblade.. I did think the six axis that came with the ps3 at launch did feel quite cheaper than the PS3 controllers.

Last edited by Jawknee on 7/24/2012 2:08:52 AM

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 10:31:34 AM

Well, we have two working phats. One of them won't currently read BluRay, but that is either the drive finally flaking out, or the lens is dirty (which I can correct). However considering the many 1000s of hours that these systems have given in use, I can hardly complain about their robustness.

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 1:01:30 PM

5 times, man that sucks, seems unfortunate bad luck in a pretty short life time on the PS3's.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 7/24/2012 1:03:35 PM

0 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 10:21:07 AM

My fat has been repaired twice, both for BGA reflow. I've also taken it apart, cleaned it and reapplied thermal paste because it is so noisy now. Was looking at a retiring it and replacing it with a slim, but now I may wait and look into the super-slim.

Actually, does anyone know, would there be any problems with swapping out my 500GB drive and installing it into the new machine? Will all data be maintained?

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:48:06 PM

You can't simply swap the drive in, the new system will reformat it. You'll have to use back up and restore.

0 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 3:07:59 PM

Okay thanks!

0 up, 0 down

Fox hounder
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 10:20:19 PM
Reply

A "Super Slim" PS3 would be cool, but i just hope Sony sticks with the current disc drive. I've had alot of problems with those pop up lids, mainly with the spindle wheel breaking.

2 up, 0 down

Jonesy555
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:25:10 PM
Reply

My main PS3 is the home movie streamer/blu-ray player so if this is indeed true, then I will definitely be picking this baby up for my room.

1 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:44:26 PM
Reply

I'm very happy with my PS3. Sony can take another six years to release the PS4.

I have a huge backlog of games between my PS3 and 360 to easyly take that long to finish it.

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:52:40 PM
Reply

super slim, or not, I think the PS4 should launch when it's ready with good games. And hopefully not with a bunch of lousy next-xbox ports

1 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 12:02:12 AM
Reply

That 16GB has to be a typo.

The 360 can get away with 4GB because there are no mandatory game installs but on the PS3 almost every game requires a 5GB install to even load.

16GB is practically nothing for disc games, it has to be a mistake. If it is true Sony might get burned with unhappy customers that have to pay for a HDD or worse, buy another PS3 with more storage if they wanted to play more than 4 disc games.

1 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 2:51:57 AM

I think this might rather be yet another step towards cloud computing and streaming services. There will probably be an upgrade of the PS operating system (the XBL or whatever it's called - I always forget that name) prior to the launch of this machine, with streaming services implemented.

Maybe this machine will even be launched alongside with the PS4?

0 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 6:48:19 AM
Reply

why would a redesigned ps3 effect the ps4?
it wont!
if the new redesign really is real, i like it looks allot better than the current slim!
i hope they offer it in piano black shinny finish, and chrome with touch sensitive buttons!
dunno if its a good idea to go with 16GBs of flash memory though.
allot of games out there take 5GBs+ just to load, so thats 3 games and thats it your done you have to delete some games.
whats the point of that?
there is no reason to have flash memory in the ps3.
its FAR too expensive ATM, and it does not have enough storage space.
what $ony really should do is try improve the cooling bay that way using a 7200RPM HDD is far less risky than it is now!
more than fast enough for what you need for now, and there dirt cheap in 1TB portions compared to 16GB flash drives.

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 10:28:41 AM

16GB is sufficient to perform a system transfer for a typical PS3 user taking game saves, trophies and some PSN titles from the old system. Making transferring to the new system far less painful. Then you just need to swap inn your HDD which will be reformatted, and I would bet that there is an easy way to transfer from the 16GB flash to an HDD within the same system - assuming it's even necessary, Sony could make the Flash and HDD appear as a single virtual volume to the PS3.

1 up, 0 down

gumbi
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 8:20:42 AM
Reply

I'm definitely interested in this 16Gb model. If it's $150 and upgrade-able to a bigger HDD then it's a no brainer for me. I have a couple 320's and a 500 kickin around on my desk that I'd gladly relegate to PS3 glory.

I've been biding my time for this. My bluray laser on my slim has been dying a slow death for over a year. I have a couple new games on my shelf I can't even play because it wont read them, and it wont read ANY bluray movies. If this rumour turns out to be true I'll be real glad I waited.

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 10:26:01 AM

Yep, I think the $150 super slim PS3 with 16GB of flash will be a great option for gamers looking to update their hardware. It's actually a smart idea from Sony. 16GB is sufficient to allow you to perform a system transfer from an HDD based system where you are only moving game saves and a few PSN titles. Then when your transfer is complete you can put the HDD from your old PS3 into your new one, and away you go, fresh hardware, no worries about old systems over heating or BluRay drives slowly failing after 4-6 years of continuous use.

Smart idea.

1 up, 0 down

JackC8
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 8:36:23 AM
Reply

For $150 this would make a great Christmas present for myself. Assuming it exits, and that's the price, and it's out by Christmas. I've been wanting a second one to put in another room.

I like the idea of a new SKU at this time, so late in the console cycle - it reaffirms Sony's commitment to the PS3 and makes me think there will be plenty of new games coming out for it, even once the next gen starts.

1 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 9:17:07 AM
Reply

Oh nooooes - if this pushes the ps4 into 2014 then I'll lose my bet with WorldEndsWithMe. It can't be happening. :(

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 10:03:19 AM
Reply

I think Lewis Ward is an idiot if he believes that a super slim PS3 with 16GB of flash storage is an indication of cloud based game storage. For a start current typical Internet speeds won't support that. Too many games want to do an installation or download an update. 16GB is a tiny resource when games are dropping 3-6GB installs, and downloads are anything from 4GB to 14GB (or more) on PSN. This is a budget system aimed at budget consumers who will not be doing much of anything online. To think otherwise is frankly stupid.

These 16GB systems will be a great option for anyone with a still working phat system looking to upgrade however. Much like the arcade 360s have been the go-to system for 360 gamers looking to modernize their console before it decides to depart this world for the next.

I can totally see this pushing PS4 into 2014 though. But then again, unless PS4 is revealed by E3 2013 (at the latest), we're looking at a 2014 release. Sony tends to go for November releases in Japan. Vita was announced officially at the E3 prior to the November launch - although we knew a lot about it prior to that. I would not expect PS4 to be announced much earlier than that type of schedule. So if we don't see PS4 by the next E3, it will be a 2014 release.

Last edited by Highlander on 7/24/2012 10:06:33 AM

0 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 12:29:40 PM

I don't see why you have to be an idiot to think so?

As we know Sony has recently bought streaming technology and surely want that investment to pay off asap, this would be an excellent soft start for that service before all hell break loose with the ps4, and we don't even yet know of there will be any room for a HDD at all in this model (or do we?).

In regards to storage capacity the "install" would then happen in the cloud and the updates would then too happen in the cloud, not locally.

Sure, maybe we are getting ahead of our time now, maybe it's too soon for cloud storage yet but it's at least a plausible theory. The dots connect pretty neatly under that theory, good enough to not call anyone an idiot over it, don't you think?

Last edited by Beamboom on 7/24/2012 12:59:55 PM

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 2:38:14 PM

It's idiocy because it's completely impractical with today's infrastructure. PS3 is a console of today. PS4 is a console of tomorrow. If tomorrow's infrastructure is capable of supporting the kind of performance that using cloud based storage instead of a local HDD would require, it will be the PS4 that takes advantage of that, not the super slip PS3 with 16GB of flash.

0 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 12:24:04 AM

It looks to me like you believe cloud based technologies on the consoles are further into the future than it really is. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it wont come. ;)

The PS4 is in every practical terms right around the corner, and while we don't know the details for that platform yet it's really very safe to assume we will get a lot more network based technology with that console. And from a developers perspective I gotta say that I believe the Sony developers and technicians should just about now be *screaming* for a chance to give their new technologies a test in a realistic environment before launching it with the PS4.
As you know, network services can not be properly tested inhouse. Hence every multiplayer game having a (semi)public beta period. A MP game is *peanuts* compared to what we talk about here.

Isn't it a conceivable scenario that they for example first introduce the superslim on the markets that has the infrastructure in place, maybe it will first be launched in Europe and Japan? They do talk specifically about Europe in this article although I was not able to see exactly why.
And the experience they would gather with this would be pure *gold* prior to launching the ps4. It could mean the difference between doing some final touches on the PSN before launching the PS4, and a pure launch nightmare!

I am not claiming to know the truth here, nor do I advocate this theory as the only plausible one. All I am saying is that it's not worth calling anyone an idiot for suggesting this. It's one of several plausible theories.

Last edited by Beamboom on 7/25/2012 3:43:57 AM

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:51:08 PM

It's not because I don't like it, I'm not sure how you even got that from what I wrote. Please re-read my posts. I already use cloud based services and am fine with them. However there are very real technical limitations imposed by the Internet infrastructure in most parts of the world - except Norway. You can't stream gameplay because controller latency would be horrid, you can't use cloud storage as if it was local HDD because both the latency is horrible and the bandwidth is pitiful compared to even a SATA 1 interface. So, it's not a dislike of cloud based services it's simple technology. If you want to disagree because your Internet paradise in Norway can support it, that's great, but don't read things into what I am saying that are not there.

0 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:57:42 AM

Oh come on, it was just a teasing remark. Lower your guard, notice the smiley!

But a lot of people have pretty fat bandwidth, there's no way it's just Norway. Sure, there would be longer "loading screens", and not every game could work like that, far from it, but I'm willing to bet good money that a *lot* of games, in particular the smaller PSN games, would work just fine across a lot of networks.

But the main argument here as far as I am concerned is that Sony *need* the test run. That really is 80% of why I see this as a plausible theory.
So if cloud based gaming, in that the data files were stored in the cloud and pulled down as you play, is introduced along with this superslim would not surprise me the slightest.

Your theory about this all being done to make "easy transfer of savegame files"; Really, who doesn't have up to several USB flash drives floating around today? Isn't that theory, although plausible, just a bit too unambitious to base a new product line on?

Last edited by Beamboom on 7/26/2012 3:13:06 AM

0 up, 0 down

Fabi
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 10:35:24 AM
Reply

I really hope this is true, I would most definitely pick up a couple of them for some family members.

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 1:12:23 PM
Reply

uh, flash memory, so what does that really mean.. so it's like the built in flash memory like those in the 16GB ipads and digital cameras and such., but anytime u can still put in a HDD of your choice? If that's how it sounds then Sony has something here, 150 bucks sounds like heck of a deal.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 7/24/2012 1:14:05 PM

0 up, 0 down

xnonsuchx
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 2:34:03 PM
Reply

While it's easy to install/replace a HDD on a PS3, I worry a little that it would be more intimidating to many users vs. the 'snap on' HDD accessory for 360 Arcade users. I also remember seeing a lot of 360 Arcade users complain about finding out later they needed a HDD to really do much, so I question the idea of having a limited flash memory-based PS3 model, as well-intentioned as it may be (if even true).

0 up, 0 down

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