In August of last year, Sony introduced important changes to the design of the PS5, which affected both the model with an optical drive and the digital version, and which allowed reduce the weight of both. At the time, we were able to confirm that Sony had replaced the original copper heatsink with a smaller one, making its new console lighter and also cheaper to manufacture, although this raised questions about the potential impact on cooling levels.

We also had the opportunity to assess this issue and saw that reducing the copper heatsink did not negatively affect the CPU temperature, which was actually better on the new models with this smaller heatsink, but made the temperatures worse. VRM and memory, so it was obvious that this move by Sony it was not convenient for users.

The fact is that Sony has re-examined the design and construction of the PS5 and launched two new models that are only available in Australia at the moment and are labeled as IFC-1200A (2022) in the case of the version with an optical drive and as IFC-1200B (2022) in the case of the version certainly unity. To better compare the different weights of each of the models Sony has released so far, I’ll leave you with a detailed breakdown:

Weight of PS5 models with optical drive

• CFI-1000A (launch) – 4.5 kg
• CFI-1100A (August 2021) – 4.2 kg
• IFC-1200A (August 2022) – 3.9 kg

Weight of PS5 models without optical drive

• CFI-1000B (launch) – 3.9 kg
• CFI-1100B (August 2021) – 3.6 kg
• IFC-1200B (August 2022) – 3.4 kg

Why is Sony trying so hard to reduce the weight of the PS5?

It’s very simple, for one a question of cost and logistics. Reducing the weight of the console usually involves using fewer materialsand this presupposes a small saving, which may a priori seem insignificant, but when multiplied by several million units reaches a dizzying value.

Imagine that with the first PS5 radiator reduction, Sony gets a cost reduction of three dollars per console, a reasonable number given the price of copper. Put like this, it’s not much money, but when you multiply it by the 18 million consoles it wants to sell in 2022, things change, and a lot, because something so simple would announce the Japanese company. annual savings of $54 million.

It is also important to note that the lighter console also has beneficial effects on logisticsand can also help reduce these types of costs. Sony did not explain how it managed to reduce the weight of the PS5, but given the difference between the new models and the previous ones, it is clear that it will have to make some important cuts and that this will mean further cost reduction. that will help maximize revenue per console sold.