New Sony PS3: Budget version undercuts the Xbox 360!

The Gadget Show  Monday 15 October 2012

Last week, we set loose our review of the latest Sony PS3 model, which trims off the games console’s excess fat. But one of our gripes was that it didn’t really pass any savings onto you, the gamer. That changes today, with the arrival of the 12GB flash model – it’s even cheaper than the Xbox 360.

The new budget model Sony PS3 Super Slim can be had at Amazon and bricks and mortar stores now for just £159.99, a big saving on the £230 the new 500GB model we reviewed will set you back.

Read our Sony PS3 review now

The core difference is that it only packs in 12GB of flash storage, rather than a huge hard drive, but if you’re only a casual gamer and don’t plan on hoarding lots of video on the Sony PS3 Super Slim, you may well not notice the difference – and that’s still space for 15 full length films. That pricetag also makes the PS3 cheaper than the top end Xbox 360 model for the first time (by £20), although the Xbox 360 4GB edition is still roughly ten pounds cheaper.

If you caught our Sony PS3 Super Slim review, you’ll know that while Sony’s superb software makes it a fantastic all-in-one set top box, the new model’s pull-to-open disc tray and glossy plastic give off a cheap feeling. Still, a 3D Blu-ray player and games machine for £160? We should be so lucky.

See the best games for autumn 2012 right here