Why a $150 'super slim' PS3 needs to release this year

A 16GB "super slim" PS3 could be coming for only $150. Analysts chime in on how this holiday season will be perfect for Sony to debut the rumored redesign.

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Sony has yet to confirm the existence of the CECH-4000 model PS3. Leaked a few weeks ago, the revised system has been dubbed the "super slim" by many, thanks to its even-smaller form factor. Curiously, one of the proposed models of the 4000 series will have only 16GB of onboard storage, leaving many believing a budget-oriented PS3 model is in the works.

Microsoft has been aggressively trying to capture the budget market with its 4GB system and subsidized subscription model. It's likely that these offerings are a large part of Microsoft's continued first-place performance in the console space. "The entry level SKU represents about 20 percent of Xbox 360 sales," EEDAR's Jesse Divnich pointed out.

While the latest rumor suggests that Sony is not ready to announce a budget super-slim at Gamescom, it's imperative for Sony to release the rumored system by year's end. One reason? It would help dampen excitement for Nintendo's new console, Wii U. Not only will a budget model "put more pressure on the Wii U," Lewis Ward of IDC Research told GI.biz, but it might even help Sony "push the PS4 launch window back to late 2014." Sony has already gone on record saying it doesn't necessarily want to be "first" in the next-gen race.

Microsoft's continued success with the Xbox 360 also gives Sony all the more reason to release a budget-minded PS3. "Microsoft is less likely to reduce console prices this year with already strong hardware sales and Halo 4 coming out in Q4," M2 Research analyst Billy Pidgeon pointed out. With Xbox keeping its price, a budget PS3 might seem like that much more of an attractive option when the holiday shopping season rolls around.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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  • reply
    July 24, 2012 11:30 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Why a $150 'super slim' PS3 needs to release this year.

    A 16GB "super slim" PS3 could be coming for only $150. Analysts chime in on how this holiday season will be perfect for Sony to debut the rumored redesign.

    • reply
      July 24, 2012 11:49 AM

      that's great, there must be dozens of people who want a ps3 but havent bought one yet

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        July 24, 2012 11:50 AM

        Well, there's at least one, since I'm one of them. :-P I've been holding out for PS2 compatibility to return. But for $150 I may get one regardless.

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          July 24, 2012 12:41 PM

          You can stop holding out, it is never going to return. I mean in what scenario would it ever return? They are trying to reduce their costs of making new consoles not increase them......

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            July 25, 2012 12:59 PM

            When you can get a perfectly working PS2 for as cheap as they go on craigslist I don't know why anybody would hold out. If you really want upscaling or improved graphics from games that are ten years old you are ten million times better just emulating on a decent PC as well.

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        July 24, 2012 11:55 AM

        I'd buy a PS3 but I already have a really high spec PC, 360 and Wii so I'd only consider it for a very cheap price.

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          July 24, 2012 1:33 PM

          Same here. At $150 I can see purchasing it over a more simple media box. Plus it can also play games!

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          July 24, 2012 1:35 PM

          do any of those play blu-ray discs or uncharted?

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            July 25, 2012 12:52 AM

            The only reason I'd get a PS3 is for the exclusives. Blu-ray doesn't interest me; I rarely watch films and I stream shows.

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        July 24, 2012 3:10 PM

        My PS3 died a year or so ago, and I didn't bother replacing it since I knew I was moving and just didn't want the hassle.

        So yeah, a new model that's cheaper would be awesome, IMO.

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        July 24, 2012 3:17 PM

        My PS3 was stolen last year, haven't bothered to replace, but I do need a Blu-Ray player.

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        July 25, 2012 1:07 AM

        i'd pick one up.

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        July 26, 2012 7:17 AM

        I'm one of those dozens. There are only a handful of games I really really want to play on PS3, but there are some strong games in that pile. Last of Us is a big one coming up. I've done all my gaming on my PC or 360 and that has kept me plenty busy, never had a huge need for a PS3. But for $150... I don't know if I could pass that up. I might buy one simply so I can have 3d Bluray because I have the TV but my bluray player doesn't do 3d.

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      July 24, 2012 11:56 AM

      "It would help dampen excitement for Nintendo's new console, Wii U." What excitement? Most gamers don't seem to care about the Wii U and most non-gamers don't even know the thing exists.

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        July 24, 2012 4:41 PM

        Most is really hard to quantify ya know.

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      July 24, 2012 12:01 PM

      I might pick one up - we don't have a blu ray player yet & was thinking of getting one sometime.

      It might be that that is the market they are aiming for - people who are looking at getting a blu ray player, and hey - this one plays games too.

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        July 24, 2012 2:30 PM

        ^^ This. A second bluray player for our downstairs at $150 (that also plays PS3 games) would be an insta-buy. Don't care about the hard drive size.

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      July 24, 2012 12:17 PM

      I would totally pick one of those up.

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      July 24, 2012 12:44 PM

      what are the good ps3 exclusives we're missing out on?

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        July 24, 2012 1:00 PM

        God of War series, Uncharted series, Heavy Rain, and I think the upcoming Last of Us is PS3 exclusive.

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        July 24, 2012 1:41 PM

        The best for me is Demon Souls and Dark Souls.

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          July 27, 2012 4:50 AM

          Dark Souls was multi-platform. Only Demon Souls was PS3 exclusive.

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        July 24, 2012 2:38 PM

        demon's souls, god of war collection + 3, ico/sotc collection, infamous series, uncharted series, wipeout HD, mgs collection + 4, little big planet series, PSN stuff like super stardust HD, pixel junk games, heavy ra1n

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        July 25, 2012 2:32 AM

        Flower and Journey, both by thatgamecompany, are excellent PSN exclusive games.

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        July 25, 2012 2:48 AM

        Last Guardian :`(

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      July 24, 2012 1:40 PM

      [deleted]

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        July 24, 2012 1:41 PM

        We have hit the $99 price point, but it just comes with a service agreement.

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        July 24, 2012 2:24 PM

        There was a recession starting in 2008, which was when R&D for next-gen platforms would've started. Microsoft and Sony held back for better sales prospects, and Nintendo was plenty happy with Wii and DS sales.

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      July 24, 2012 2:31 PM

      [deleted]

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      July 24, 2012 2:33 PM

      16GB isn't much for a PS3.

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        July 24, 2012 3:02 PM

        given the mandatory app installs I would describe it worse than that, you've got a pretty crippled PS3 experience if you have to reinstall for 20-30min every 2nd or 3rd game you play.

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        July 24, 2012 3:11 PM

        You can add your own drive, yeah? I'd rather get the cheapest model and add an ssd.

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      July 24, 2012 2:36 PM

      Semi-Hijack

      Has anyone every bought a slim model of a console whilst already owning a "fat" version that worked?

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        July 24, 2012 3:22 PM

        Yes (XBOX 360)

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          July 24, 2012 3:46 PM

          Really? Why? (just curious)

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            July 24, 2012 4:07 PM

            [deleted]

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            July 24, 2012 5:16 PM

            2nd XBOX / DVD player for our downstairs recroom and when we bought a TV there was a deal for an XBOX 360 Elite for only $99 (reg. $299) and I hadn't planned on owning two XBOXes but it was too good to pass on.

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              July 24, 2012 5:29 PM

              Ah, see that makes sense. I had forgotten the non-games angle.

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        July 25, 2012 5:21 AM

        I own an original PS3 and the slightly slimmer version. I wanted a media player that played Bluray, Amazon and Netflix and Patch-E picked up an extra on or around Black Friday last year for $200 so I took it off his hands.

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        July 26, 2012 7:20 AM

        I traded my old 360 in for the redesign Slim Elite or whatever they call it. I think a lot of people did becaue those old 360's were ticking time bombs. I was afraid every time I turned it on that it was going to give me the RROD. I'd been through 3 of them already. Also.. the new slim 360 is extra special awesome with a quieter fan, huge HDD, nice looks etc. I've gotten years and years of awesome gaming out of my 360's so I had no problem spending a bit more to upgrade.

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      July 24, 2012 2:44 PM

      [deleted]

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      July 24, 2012 2:51 PM

      It's hard to tell how slim it really is. Can we get a picture of it next to an espresso cup?

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      July 24, 2012 2:55 PM

      [deleted]

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        July 24, 2012 3:16 PM

        think if this PS3 also had Google TV inside it .... that would be interesting.

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          July 24, 2012 3:36 PM

          sales of Google TV say it wouldn't be

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            July 24, 2012 4:43 PM

            I think the bonus of having Google TV with a PS3 vs only getting a Google TV without a PS3 changes the scenario you presented.

            Google TV could be a good enough product when run on a PS3 that sales of Google TV could not indicate.

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              July 24, 2012 4:49 PM

              I'd find the argument more compelling if Google TV units had reviewed well generally but sold poorly. But at least from what I've seen the product itself is simply lacking, and afaik you'd need a keyboard/mouse or some other non PS3 controller input to use it

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        July 24, 2012 4:54 PM

        Ps3 has cinavia, so its a piece of shit with most media content these days...

        still use it sometimes, but its nice to have an appletv and a media center pc also.

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      July 24, 2012 4:24 PM

      for 150 its a no brainer, its great blu ray player and i use mine as a media device too.

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      July 24, 2012 8:45 PM

      A low price, ~$150 model plays perfectly to their family friendly line up of first party games this fall. Unlike past years where Sony has anchored the fall with something like uncharted, this year they're big titles are Sly Cooper and PlayStation Allstars. Wrap family friendly games, Bluray, Netflix/Hulu/NFL and no paid service requirement in a marketing push with the new, cheap PS3 and that should be a winner this Holiday.

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        July 25, 2012 12:28 AM

        Maybe in US. But what about the rest of the world? I can't get "officialy" Netflix, Hulu, Pandora or whatever all the un/paid services in PS3 are. But for that 150$ mentioned price (even if it is always much more expensive here - The Czech Republic)

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      July 25, 2012 4:43 AM

      i would think about getting one at that price

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