Hardly a surprise, but Sony got on stage today at GamesCom and confirmed what we've all known deep down in our hearts: the new, slimmer PS3 is really real. It'll be out in the first week of September (September 1 in North America and Europe, September 3 for Japan), and will retail for $300 (or 300 Euro, or 29,980 Yen). It's smaller and lighter, has a 120GB HDD, and packs "all the same features" of the regular PS3 while consuming 34 percent less power and taking up 32 percent less space. Existing PS3 SKUs have their prices dropped a hundie apiece tomorrow in anticipation, so be sure to grab a space heater while you've still got a shot -- though we're not sure why you'd pay $300 for an 80GB PS3 when you can wait a couple weeks and get 120GB in a cuter package. A couple pics of the unveil are after the break.

The new 3.0 firmware will be released concurrently with the PS3 slim, which should provide a breath of fresh air for existing machines. Other new features of the PS3 slim include BRAVIA Sync, which allows you to control the PS3 XMB over HDMI through your BRAVIA TV remote, and System Standby to shut off the PS3 when the BRAVIA TV is off. Sony also claims this new machine will run more quietly than existing PS3 systems, which is good news for people who like to watch movies or have conversations in the general vicinity of their game console. There's also a Vertical Stand, which will retail for $24. Not so awesome is Sony's removal of the Install Other OS feature... farewell, Linux. We hardly knew thee.

Update: We've got press shots! Check 'em all in the gallery below, and be sure to pore over that to-scale comparo pic up top. There's one from above as well, which reveals that the new model is actual "deeper" than the PS3 fat.

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Ps3fanboy said:

We know, we're as shocked as you are! Sony has used the GamesCom stage in Cologne to announce the oh-so-tiny PS3 Slim. The good news is that the system sports both a slimmer form factor (33 percent smaller, 36 percent lighter and 34 percent less power use) a 120GB hard drive and the tidy price tag of $299. It boasts all the same features as the current PS3, which means still no backwards compatibility with your PS2 games.

If you've been holding off on buying a chunkier PS3 until the inevitable release of its slimmer little brother, your wait will finally end in September.

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PlopHole said:

Xbox 360 is on its last legs again, may get myself one of these to replace it. It looks pretty impressive.

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PlopHole said:

Yeah I just ordered one.

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PlopHole said:

Yeah I just ordered one.

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PlopHole said:

£229.99 from ShopTo - on the recommendation of karbineftw.

http://www.shopto.net/PS3/GAMES/PS3SLIM-PS3 Slim 120GB.html

I think that comes with everything I'm gonna need, except maybe an HDMI cable?

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StevenRB45 said:

We have one at work on display beside the outgoing 80gb. It is clear the main reason for building it is saving on manufacturing costs. It's a bit low rent looking to say the least also all the bits you touch are still mirror shiny...so even tho the top is matt the edges and the button panel are still finger print traps. That and if your expecting it to be like the difference between a ps2 slim and light and ps2 it isn't its a ps3 slighter shorter but deeper and not quite as thick.

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