Leaked Microsoft document claims PS5 Slim will launch this year for $399

A recently leaked document has provided insight into Sony's plans for the PlayStation 5 lineup, and notably, the leak is coming from rival Microsoft itself.

The document is in fact part of Microsoft's trove of legal data in its ongoing battle with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), making it clear that the PlayStation 5 Slim and a handheld are expected to be released by Sony later this year.

Accordingly, Microsoft clearly stated that Sony is preparing to launch the PlayStation 5 Slim version in 2023. Notably, the leaked document also reveals that the retail price for this thin version of the Playstation at launch will be 399 USD (about 9.5 million VND).

Currently at this price range, there aren't many really notable choices in the console market. The most reasonable would probably be the $399 PS5 Digital Edition without a drive, or the $499 PS5 with a built-in drive. This pricing strategy of Sony, if true. accidentally placed the PlayStation 5 Slim in the same price bracket as the PS5 Digital version, creating an 'interesting' dilemma for users.

Leaked Microsoft document claims PS5 Slim will launch this year for $399 Picture 1 Leaked Microsoft document claims PS5 Slim will launch this year for $399 Picture 1

Leaked Microsoft documents also suggest that Sony is expected to launch a handheld PlayStation 5 version later this year. However, the information in the documentation regarding handsets is not entirely accurate. Sony made the hardware announcement during its PlayStation Showcase event.

The device introduced at the Showcase is called "Project Q", owns an 8-inch HD screen, comes with all the buttons on the DualSense PS5 controller. Instead of a standalone handheld console, Sony's plan is to launch a device that can stream PS5 games over Wi-Fi from a connected PS5 console.

Microsoft's documentation does not cite information from third-party sources about the PlayStation 5 Slim's specific launch time and pricing. However, this leaked information has raised speculations about Sony's sales strategy for the rest of the year.