PS3 Slim rumors rebuffed as price cut rumors swirl

Source: See below.What we heard: Amid the flurry of earnings reports, NPD figures, and preemptive game announcements last week, two rumors about the PlayStation 3 emerged--one credible, the other less so. The latter came in the form of a series of photos on a Chinese hardware blog of what looks...

Source: See below.

What we heard: Amid the flurry of earnings reports, NPD figures, and preemptive game announcements last week, two rumors about the PlayStation 3 emerged--one credible, the other less so. The latter came in the form of a series of photos on a Chinese hardware blog of what looks like a new slimline 120GB PS3.

Though they have since been removed, the shots (pictured) caused quite a stir by showing a drastically slimmer console with an even more minimalist control scheme and matte-black finish. It also featured some convincing-looking internal circuitry and packaging, replete with all the appropriate Sony logos and a new PS3 logo font.

As is their policy, Sony Computer Entertainment America reps declined to comment on the matter. However, their traditionally chattier cousins at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe had no problem telling CVG, "We currently don't have any plans for a redesigned PS3."

If true, the SCEE statement means the device shown by the Chinese blog is the latest in a long line of Chinese game-console knockoffs, such as the now-infamous Vii.

The PS3 scuttlebutt gumbo was also stirred up last week up by CNBC, which was recently ridiculed for perceived deficiencies in its reporting of the global financial crisis. Here, though, the financial news outlet's correspondent and source are both rock-solid. Chris Morris, the well-regarded correspondent behind CNNMoney's now-defunct Game Over column, quotes none other than Sony corporate executive officer Nobuyuki Oneda.

Oneda was speaking to reporters following Sony's earnings report, in which the electronics company posted its first annual loss since 1995. When asked about what method the company would employ to boost yearly PS3 sales 30 percent, the executive said, "Well, I think you have to guess what will be our pricing strategy."

The official story: See above.

Bogus or not bogus?: A 99.99 percent chance of not bogus that a PS3 price cut is coming sometime before March 31, 2010--the end of Sony's fiscal year. As for the slimline PS3, Sony said reduced manufacturing and shipping costs were a major factor for introducing the slimline PlayStation 2 in November 2004.

Were the company to enjoy similar savings with its current console, a cheaper PS3 would be a more palatable proposition for the cash-strapped company. Hopefully Sony's E3 2009 press conference will definitively confirm or dismiss the conjecture on the morning of June 2.

535 Comments

  • dUbC24

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 3:09 am PT

    that in the picture is just the top section, there is going to be a bottom piece that is roughly the same size and that is going to make the ps3 slim

  • Reiji-Arisu

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:02 pm PT

    Doesn't look half bad. Might get it.

  • Mazinmichael

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    If they made a ps2 slim and a psp slim why would they not make ps3 slim?

  • bacardi0987

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:22 am PT

    The PS3 Slim is gonna look just like the picture above just like the PS3 controllers look just like a boomerang..... Think about it.

  • thesaad

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 4:19 pm PT

    kenjlao...you're right, lol, but I guess that shows how angry he might be...I hate buying things early, the newer, cooler version comes out at a cheaper price the next year...If i bought the PS3 for 600 and now it was slimmer, half the size with twice the memory, i'd throw a fit.

  • kenjlao

    Posted Jul 31, 2009 2:58 pm PT

    moe725, is that even English? I recognize the words but it doesn't make any sense.

  • moe725

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 5:32 pm PT

    this is really annoying like why would activison do this every one that owns a ps3 like ps3 has been hated for a littile bit. what will be the different about the new ps3 this is so frustrating will it be better so like even thought this is a rumor.

  • F-unit2008

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 8:10 pm PT

    PS3 slim is the way to go cant wait but this is a japanese version for PS3 the ps3 for US is gonna look way different. 2010 summer release or 2011 summer release. to EARRRLY IN 09.

  • Dgalmun

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 11:30 am PT

    I find that disappointing, the slim looks like a file document almost empty. They should put some more stuff in the PS3 it's too dang small.

  • JEANLUCKUGAR

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 10:32 am PT

    doubt it is real, why would they use a slightly altered PS2/PSP font and not stick with the PS3 font?

  • bhurst74

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 6:23 pm PT

    I seriously doubt that the PS3 slim is going to look that rediculous. If, in fact, Sony were planning on releasing a slim version like the PS2, they surely wouldn't release photos way before the production run or release time. Anyone who actually believes this to be an actual PS3 slim needs their heads examined. Come on people. Use common sense.

  • XXforbiddenXX

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 5:40 pm PT

    Why does it have to be so round?

  • underDOG306

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 5:03 pm PT

    r all of u serious? there's no way dat can b da final model. its obviously a prototype. da finish isent even glossy. i hope da ps3 slim is cheap cause i need a new ps3 since mine got da YLOD TWICE!!!! i fixed it once nd it lasted about 2 weeks lol. nd im not sendin it 2 sony 2 fix it 4 $150 nd just a 3 month warranty. NO F**kin way!!!!

  • Big_Evil666

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 1:35 pm PT

    ugly! i'll stick with my current PS3, 160gb edition!

  • Ayato_Kamina_1

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 11:11 am PT

    Why not get some weight sensors in it and rip off the wii balance board at the same time!

  • JohnSamy

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 10:31 am PT

    The image shown on the would be package shows a panel with touch buttons for power and disc eject, similar to the PS3 buttons.
    This panel is not found in any of the 2 other images that contain the actual model. In fact both display models don't have a power and eject button.

  • Spat262

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 9:59 am PT

    if they change the look of it a little it could look cool and if its cheap thats great cause i want my girlfriend to get a ps3 cause it would be ill playing videogames wit your girlfriend... but im fine wit my original 60GB i havent had one prob yet and it still looks great

  • MANNYmonkeyto

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 8:59 am PT

    im gonna buy it if its cheaper

  • jin-ro

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 8:34 am PT

    ys no nothing, i think it looks brilliant!!!!!

  • 93jam

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 6:29 am PT

    That thing looks too cheap to be a new model of PS3.

  • Nihonomaru

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 2:46 am PT

    Any of you design dislikers have your own ideas to bring forward Jeez..

  • LeoGoBezerk

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 12:49 am PT

    above design is terrible..

  • carlopret

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 11:42 pm PT

    Hope these pics are not the final design. It really looks nasty

  • Shadows-Flame

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 9:46 pm PT

    LOL I sorta see a resemblance of this to a psp battery (design wise look at the photo with the green background)

  • kong_sevixnine

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 9:45 pm PT

    Dang Nintendo for not cutting back. Microsoft and Sony have done it a lot. Any way terrible design.

  • ebgamesnake112

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 8:00 pm PT

    I just want to know now, so I can save up!

  • dentui

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 7:10 pm PT

    Great news for PS3, Hope the 120 GIG for the 360 goes down in price as well.

  • Lisaanne30

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 6:57 pm PT

    A slim ps3 would be great

  • FIGHTCLUBB

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 5:28 pm PT

    It doesn't matter about the font. Have you seen the PSone font when they came out with the mini console? I hope it drops, as my 360 broke and am ready to stick it to Microsoft for not offering e74 under warranty when mine broke. I only had it for a year, just over the warranty!

  • art_milonakis

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 5:06 pm PT

    The photographs looks fake, but we need a ps3 slim, I mean, the ps3 is tot big and too expensive, they need a cut on the price if they want to keep their part on the market!

  • athenian29

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 4:40 pm PT

    I also say again, this is fake - look at the font for the big "PS3" on the front - it's completely wrong.

  • athenian29

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 4:39 pm PT

    I say again, this thing is fugly.

  • Juniorl27

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 4:18 pm PT

    Looks like Sony's designers are out of good ideas.

  • gstealer

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 3:43 pm PT

    F*cking awful looking...
    Hope they do better if they really wanna launch this product.
    Otherwise it'll will be a waste of their time.

  • Amster_G

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 3:25 pm PT

    If those pictures represent what the Slim will actually look like on release, I am definitely going to stick with my good ol', shiny babe.

  • BioAssassin

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    It looks like crap, I'd rather stick to the regular PS3. The slim PS2 looked really good and it was a nice upgrade, the slim PS3 looks like a friggin mat.

  • gameguy0697

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 2:21 pm PT

    that looks retarded

  • 20darkspirit

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 12:56 pm PT

    good

  • fjjb

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    is this a wii balance board?

  • moe725

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 11:35 am PT

    so what are they going to make a new ps3 and would it be better some one please answer

  • madmurdock911

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 1:08 pm PT

    seriously, with the YLOD messing up things now... how would they cool it..?

  • HalfBak3dM0nkey

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:01 am PT

    I think someone could bend it over their knee, if you know what i mean.

  • Mavus1

    Posted Jun 20, 2009 3:21 am PT

    dubious troll is dubious

  • slainta

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 7:50 am PT

    It looks like an (ugly) pizza box. Not a chance.

  • NAWAF005

    Posted Jun 10, 2009 5:52 am PT

    the REAL and normal virgin look better

  • deepen03

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 9:34 pm PT

    i think its real. the second two pictures above look legit to me. Just watch, this will be release in the near future, probably before 2010. mark my words.

  • SkinnZero

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 5:34 pm PT

    the original looks way better! assuming this one to be real, what I really doubt

  • W3En

    Posted May 30, 2009 4:34 pm PT

    So they plan to take the most powerful system on the market (PC's excluded of course since they dominate any home system) and make it about like 1/5 of the size of the origional....If Microsoft supposedly has problems because the Xbox 360's chassi is too small how is Sony planning on doing that?

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