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Hansi Flick's players are in big need of a win as they look to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid.

Severance season 2 has all of us on the edge of our seats, and they're once again teasing us with weekly releases. Episode 3 of one of the best Apple TV Plus shows is finally here, and it packed a lot into its hour-long runtime. Most notable were, of course, the goats, but we've also had our first look at Gwendoline Christie's new character and witnessed Mark making a shocking decision about severance. Elsewhere, Dylan's latest perk could prove to torment him.

If you need a reminder for previous episodes, check out our Severance episode 1 recap and Severance season 2 recap to bring you up to speed.

Cobel's job offer

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

The episode sees Cobel still on the road after abruptly driving away from Mark, who confronted her outside her home. When she reaches an unknown place called Salt's Neck, she decides to turn around and head back, but like most things Cobel does, we don't quite know why.

Cobel heads to Lumon, where she meets up with Helena after considering the job offer. She says if she returns, she wants to keep a close eye on MDR so she can watch Mark complete Cold Harbor, one of the biggest Severance mysteries. She's also not pleased about Milchick running the show and wants him gone, but Helena pushes back on this.

Not for the first time, Cobel abruptly leaves the meeting and drives off, so she's been constantly running away from her problems and fears recently. Something weird is going on, and I want to know what!

Meeting a new department

By this point, Mark is now fully back to work at Lumon. We see him timing how long it takes to get into Lumon to the point where he's severed, where he obviously switches into innie Mark, abruptly stopping the countdown.

He's on a mission, printing out flyers of a Ms. Casey drawing, and asks Helly and Irving to pass them around the Lumon departments. It's also important to note that Helly is still acting weird around Mark and not like Helly at all. Nevertheless, she helps Mark on his quest to find Ms. Casey.

They come across a small hallway. They crawl through it and find it leads to a large room full of goats on what seems to be artificial grass. We then meet a brand new team led by Gwendoline Christine, who is immediately suspicious of MDR and asks if they're going to kill her (not a normal question to ask at work, but okay...). She reveals that this department is called Mammalians Nurturable, and hey presto, we've got a new department – and it's linked to the goats, who have intrigued fans enough to inspire plenty of Severance goat theories.

Mark and Helly talk to the woman, asking her if she knows anything about the Wellness department or Ms. Casey. Mark reminds her that if they can make Ms. Casey disappear, any one of them could follow, including their goats, and it seems to do the trick. She eventually admits that Ms. Casey used to conduct wellness sessions in their “husbandry tanks.” She and her staff all seem to have liked her; they believe she retired but tell Mark they won't get in the way if he thinks otherwise. So that's something, at least.

Milchick's disturbing gift from The Board

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Natalie arrives at Milchick's office to present him with a gift from The Board. But he is left visibly uncomfortable when he realizes they're a series of paintings recontextualizing Lumon’s history with Black versions of Kier and his subjects. With her earpiece connected to the mysterious Board, Natalie reels off some corporate-approved messaging, saying: “The Board austerely desires for you to feel connected to Lumon’s history. To that end, please accept from the Board these inclusively re-canonicalized paintings intended to help you see yourself in Kier, our founder.”

She also claims she received the same gift and was "moved" by it, but when the Board terminates the call, Milchick and she exchange an uncomfortable glance before she goes back to her forced smile. Natalie's facade has slipped for a brief moment, and I'm excited to see if she starts to rebel against Lumon, too. Milchick, understandably, packs up the paintings and puts them away.

Dylan’s innie and Gretchen

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

In a very emotional scene, Ms. Huang comes to get Dylan and leads him to the former security room, which has now been turned into the Outie Visitation Room. Turns out, Milchick was right when he teased these plans to Dylan and it has the potential to be one of the most twisted "perks" Lumon has come up with.

Dylan learns he's "earned" an 18-minute visit with his outie’s wife, Gretchen, where they discuss their three kids and get a bit closer. As Dylan’s session with his wife ends, she tells him she’s proud of him and loves him. He doesn’t know how to respond but feels great. Later, Dylan's outie watches the kids and when asked about the visit, Gretchen tells him it was "weird but good."

Mark's big decision and a surprise visit

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Natalie visits Devon’s home to discuss Ricken's book, which became an unexpected hit after it was found on the severed floor. Lumon wants an "innie version" of the book, given the fact they liked it so much, but it's pretty suspicious that Lumon keeps rocking up to Devon and Ricken's home.

Devon is equally as suspicious of Devon as she is of Milchick and leaves to meet up with Mark. They try to burn an image into his retinas to take into Lumon, but as we've seen before, previous attempts to sneak messages in and out have not gone well.

Asai Reghabi shows up and stops him from going through with this bold idea. She tells him that his wife Gemma is alive and there’s only one way to get information in and out of Lumon: reintegration. Now, reintegration is a controversial choice, considering it killed Petey in Severance season 1, but since Mark is desperate, he decides to go through with the procedure to hopefully stitch his memories back together.

Asai and Mark begin the reintegration process. and this episode ends with the two sides of Mark's persona blending together, insinuating that the reintegration process may work this time around, but now I'm pretty fearful for Mark's mental and physical health.

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The 64-year-old tug driver sustained head and lower body injuries and was transported to the hospital in critical condition but was later stabilized, Chicago police said.

(Image credit: Kiichiro Sato)

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Under the Trump administration, the U.S. agency that funds aid projects has faced layoffs, a stop action order for most aid efforts and a disruption of its website. Now Elon Musk says it should 'die.'

(Image credit: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Engineers between 19 and 24, most linked to Musk’s companies, are playing a key role as he seizes control of federal infrastructure.

• A shipping manifest has detailed what looks like a professional workstation card
• It could possibly be the successor to Nvidia's RTX 6000 Ada, the most expensive graphics card in the world
• Based on the RTX5090, it is expected to have a whopping 96GB, twice that of it predecessor

The GeForce RTX 5090, the latest flagship graphics card for gamers and creatives in Nvidia's GeForce 50 series, was unveiled at CES 2025 and has just gone on sale - buts hortly before it did, rumors began to swirl of an RTX 5090 Ti model featuring a fully enabled GB202-200-A1 GPU and dual 12V-2×6 power connectors, theoretically allowing for up to 1,200 watts of power.

This speculation began following the appearance of a prototype image on the Chinese industry forum Chiphell - reporting on the image, ComputerBase said, “With 24,576 shaders, the GB202-200-A1 GPU is said to offer 192 active streaming multiprocessors, which were previously rumored to be the full expansion of the GB202 chip. The memory is said to continue to offer 32GB capacity, but with 32Gbps instead of 28Gbps, it will exceed the 2TB/s mark.”

Shortly after the engineering card surfaced online, ComputerBase alsospotted shipping documents on NBD Data listing a graphics card with 96GB of GDDR7 memory, marked as “for testing.” It is a reasonable assumption that this unidentified model is actually a professional workstation card, potentially – let’s say probably – the RTX 6000 Blackwell.

Useful for AI applications

(Image credit: NBD)

The GeForce RTX 5090 features 32GB of GDDR7, using sixteen 2GB modules connected through a 512-bit memory interface. 48GB would be possible if sixteen 3GB chips were used instead of 2GB chips.

If two of these 3GB chips were connected to each 32-bit controller, placing 16 chips on both the front and back of the graphics card in a "clamshell" configuration, the 96GB mentioned in the documents – which is twice as much as the RTX 6000 Ada, the most expensive graphics card in the world – would become a reality.

The shipping records indicate these GPUs use a 512-bit memory bus, reinforcing this theory. The internal PCB designation PG153, seen in the documents, aligns with known Nvidia Blackwell designs and has not yet appeared in any existing consumer graphics cards.

Nvidia is expected to introduce the RTX Blackwell series for workstations at its annual GPU Technology Conference (GTC 2025), so we should know more about them come March 2025. And yes, if you’re thinking 96GB of GDDR7 memory is overkill for gaming or creative purposes I’d agree with you. It is a good amount for AI tasks though, so we can expect to see Nvidia announce an AI version of the RTX 6000 Blackwell when it finally takes the wraps off its next-gen product.

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Yes, I know, we’re all very excited about how powerful Nvidia’s RTX 5090 is, and presumably many of us are also very upset that Nvidia apparently thought seven cards per retailer would be enough stock for launch day (note to Jensen Huang: that was a joke, please take your hitman off speed dial).

But even though it does look mighty impressive – and as per our RTX 5080 review, the middle child of the Blackwell generation is no slouch either – there’s a different GPU I’m really looking forward to this year, and it’s the lowest-spec desktop card Nvidia announced at CES 2025. That’s right, I’m talking about the RTX 5070.

Now, I’ve always had a soft spot for Nvidia’s xx70 GPUs; I rocked a GTX 970 back in the day, and I was a strong supporter of the RTX 3070 when it came out back in 2020. These cards typically find the right balance between performance and pricing; not too expensive, but still perfectly capable of delivering a solid gaming experience to the average consumer. And with the RTX 5070, I think we could be in for a treat – not least because Nvidia has seemingly done the unthinkable.

A pleasant surprise

See, at launch, the current-gen RTX 4070 cost $599 / £589 / AU$1,109. I thought that was a pretty fair price at the time – certainly better value for money than the higher-end Lovelace GPUs, and something we praised it for in our review. I was expecting to see the exact same price tag for the RTX 5070, but no: Nvidia has actually lowered the list price, bringing it down to $549 / £549 (around AU$880).

I’m really not exaggerating when I say that this is nuts. Obviously, we don’t have performance figures for the RTX 5070 yet, so there’s every possibility Nvidia does screw the pooch on this one, but let’s be honest: this card will likely sit somewhere between the RTX 4070 and RTX 4080, with $50 / £40 shaved off the price tag to boot. That’s great!

That’s not all, either; I’m just talking about my raw performance expectations here, but that’s without even factoring in Multi Frame Generation, which combined with DLSS 4 and Reflex 2 provides a serious performance boost for RTX 5000 GPUs without many of the drawbacks seen in previous iterations of Nvidia’s upscaling and frame-gen tech. Access to these tools – which can be retroactively improved by Nvidia – is a key winning factor for the 5070.

With that price tag, the RTX 5070 has genuine potential to be the new 1440p gaming king – or even a reasonably priced 4K card, once we see how well DLSS 4 and MFG actually perform on a more affordable Blackwell card. Personally, I have high expectations… don’t let me down, Nvidia.

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UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger review

If you’re looking to juice up multiple power-hungry devices at once, the UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger could be the perfect solution for you. This quad-port charger packs in ThermalGuard temperature control, multiple USB types (3x USB-C and 1x USB-A) and 160W of power, to ensure your phones, laptops, tablets and more can get back up and running in a flash.

You get access to super-speedy charging here, no matter how many devices you have plugged in. If you’re only charging one at a time in USB-C Port 1, you can access lightning quick charging speeds of up to 140W, that’s great for demanding devices like the newest MacBook or handsets like the Xiaomi 14T Pro. Even with three or four ports in use, the top USB-C ones can supply up to 65W each – not bad at all!

And when I tested out performance for myself, I found that the UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger could easily compete with some of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers. I tried charging up the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE in USB-C port 1, alongside the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, LG Tone Free T90S earbuds and FiiO M11S hi-res music player. To my delight, this UGreen charger brought my phone back to life in under 80 minutes – exactly what I’d expect from a fast-charging wall plug like this.

Now, if you’ve seen my reviews of the other Nexode Pro chargers, you’ll probably know what I’m going to say about this one’s appearance. Once again, the prongs look shoehorned on with the UK model – I was wondering if there would be a way for me to detach the adapter, but it seems to just be attached in a not-so-elegant manner.

In addition, this is by some distance the chunkiest charger in the Nexode Pro family. That’s to be expected given it has the largest power output and four ports, but still, it may not fit into smaller spaces. Is it as big and bruising as some of the MacBook Pro chargers, for instance? No. But it's still quite a large plug.

This charger is perhaps not the cheapest out there, carrying a list price of $119.99 / £99.99 (about AU$190). Of course, you’re getting a lot of power, quad-port charging and modern GaN technology for a safe, heat-protected charging experience. But still, it’s a lot to pay for a charger with no display or charming design quirks.

All in all, the UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger is an excellent performer with lots of power to play with, but some may find it a little on the pricey side. It may not be the most stunning looker, either, but it does offer solid build quality, four-port charging and effective temperature control, making it worth considering – if you have the cash.

(Image credit: Future) UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger? Buy it if…

You want top-of-the-range charging performance
This charger has an almighty maximum power output of 160W, which is more than enough to revive all of your devices in a pinch. The top USB-C port is also capable of blindingly fast 140W charging – pretty cool.

You need a travel-friendly multi-port charger
This may not be the smallest charger around, but it’s certainly compact enough to take on flights or train journeys. On top of that, you get four charging ports, meaning you could get your headphones, phone, laptop and smart watch back to life simultaneously, for instance.

Don't buy it if…

You’re working with a tight space
But if you’re working with a really tight space, such as a socket placed behind your desk or couch, this UGreen charger might not be the ideal option. It’s considerably larger than the other models in the Nexode Pro family, so perhaps consider a slimmer option if you’re limited on room.

You’re working with a moderate budget
And it might go without saying, but this is not a charger for those of you on a tight budget. At $119.99 / £99.99 (about AU$190) it’s a more premium option, but rest-assured, there are plenty of cheaper options available to you. It won’t pack in quite as much power, but the UGreen Uno Charger 100W has four ports and a fun display which I couldn’t get enough of – and it’s much cheaper than this Pro option.

UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger: Also consider

Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN)
OK, this one’s something a bit different, but it's well-worth considering if you need to charge lots of devices simultaneously. The Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN) is a desk charger that can bring up to six devices back to life simultaneously. It’s equipped with 200W worth of power to ensure speedy charging and has a mixture of USB-C and USB-A ports too. Sure, it’s even less compact than this UGreen charger, but it's also cheaper, with a list price of $84.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95, so if you just need a charger for desktop use, this is a better option in my view. Read our full Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 Ports, GaN) review.

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UGREEN Nexode 12000mAh 100W Power Bank review

The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank is designed for charging all manner of devices, from smartphones to laptops, thanks to its powerful 100W output. Despite its capabilities, it’s surprisingly light; I’ve tested other, less capable power banks that weigh more. It’s also quite narrow, but very thick too, meaning it won’t be one to carry around in your pocket. This is justifiable, though, given it’s designed for charging big ticket items.

The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank looks smart with its dark grey finish, the signature colorway of Ugreen’s Nexode series. Unfortunately, this premium look belies its actual build quality: the chassis is a little too flimsy for my liking, even audibly creaking when I pressed its sides. Suffice to say it wouldn’t be my first choice of power bank for taking on more rugged excursions.

One of the standout features of the UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank is its display. This provides useful information in a large format, making it clear to see. The percentage figures adopt a dot-matrix format, which may divide some users, but I didn’t have an issue with this. However, clarity is somewhat compromised by its matt finish, which is rather hazy in certain viewing angles and lighting conditions.

It has one USB-C port and one USB-A port, which is a little disappointing for a power bank with this much power on offer; there are many, less powerful power banks on the market with greater port selections.

The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank managed to charge a Lenovo IdeaPad 4G 14 inch laptop from 50% to 100% in about 90 minutes, which is a decent performance. It also stayed cool throughout, which again is also impressive. However, it depleted the bank’s battery from 100% to 12% in the process, which disappointingly means you’ll only get a single charge out of it for large devices.

Thankfully, the UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank only takes about the same amount of time to fully replenish, thanks to its 65W input via the same USB-C port.

The USB-A port provides 22.5W of power, and charging from this and the USB-C port at the same time is possible, although this drops the output of both to just 10W. The UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank also features trickle charging, used for devices with low current draws, such as wireless earbuds and smartwatches. This can be easily toggled by holding the power button.

With a price of $49.99 / £49.99 (about AU$80), the UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh 100W Power Bank sits admirably close in the market to less powerful rivals. Its 100W power output is useful if you need to charge larger items – but you’ll only be able to charge them once. It really needs a capacity higher than 12,000mAh to make it practical for charging large devices on the go, and more ports wouldn’t go amiss either.

(Image credit: Future) UGREEN Nexode 12000mAh 100W Power Bank review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the UGREEN Nexode 12000mAh 100W Power Bank? Buy it if…

You want to charge big devices
Laptop charging is possible with the Nexode, and it can top them up with relative speed.

You want something simple
Simply plug in your device and away you go. The readout is simple to understand, and activating trickle charging is easy as well.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best build quality
Although it’s pleasingly light, it isn’t as solidly built as some of its rivals, such as those from Anker.

You want to charge multiple times
Yes, you can charge power-hungry devices with that high output, but the relatively low capacity means you’ll only be able to do so once.

UGREEN Nexode 12000mAh 100W Power Bank review: also consider

Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W)
If it’s power you need, then this Anker Prime model is for you. We think it’s the best power bank for power users, thanks to its massive 250W output and 27,650mAh capacity. However, it’s large and heavy compared to other power banks, and expensive too, so this is only for those who’ll need days of charging available to them.

Humans actually have vestigial muscles that activate when listening closely to something, even though people lost the ability to really move their ears about 25 million years ago.

(Image credit: ChristopherBernard/Getty Images)

• We've got another leak around the OnePlus Open 2
• Macro support on the telephoto camera is rumored
• The foldable will appear first as the Oppo Find N5

Oppo has been busy teasing the upcoming Oppo Find N5, which will almost certainly be sold as the OnePlus Open 2 outside of China, and the latest rumor suggests the handset will have one particular camera upgrade – an upgrade that even top-tier flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra don't offer.

As per well-known tipster Smart Pikachu (via Android Authority), the Oppo Find N5 – and therefore the OnePlus Open 2 – is going to come with macro photography support on its telephoto lens, offering extra flexibility for close up shots.

It means the ability to take close ups without actually having to get close to whatever you're shooting – that's the advantage of having macro support on the telephoto camera, rather than included with the standard primary camera.

While the feature can be found on a few handsets, it's not something that Samsung, Google, or Apple have added to their phones – so you could get more photo flexibility from the OnePlus Open 2 than the Pixel 9 Pro or the iPhone 16.

Rumors and teases

An official teaser image from Oppo (Image credit: Oppo)

We've seen lots of unofficial leaks and official teases when it comes to this foldable phone. Some serious upgrades are apparently on the way, including a large 5,900 mAh battery, waterproofing, and a bump to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset from Qualcomm.

This is apparently going to be the thinnest foldable to hit the market yet, and Oppo executives have posted pictures showing just how thin it will be – with one image comparing it to the M4-powered iPad Pro from Apple.

What we're not sure of yet is exactly when the handset is going to launch, though it shouldn't be far off now. One rumor has pointed to the OnePlus Open 2 going on sale in the second half of 2025, though we're hoping to see it sooner.

As you can tell from our OnePlus Open review, we are big fans of the original folding phone from OnePlus – and that means we're looking forward to seeing what a new and improved version brings to the best foldables market.

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PS5 Slim review: Two-minute review

The PS5 Slim picks up where the original launch model of the PS5 left off and offers a brilliant current-generation gaming experience. Adding a couple of quality-of-life improvements to the original and shrinking the footprint right down, while maintaining the excellent performance and experiences you would expect from a PS5, means this is still one of the very best gaming consoles to buy.

The PS5 Slim launched at the same price that the original launch model PS5 had. This differs from the last generation when the PS4 Slim arrived with a slightly lower price tag, which was very welcome at the time. While that’s disappointing, the PS5 Slim is now the dominant variant of the console - coming in both disc and digital editions too -and discounts and deals are now frequent. As such, while we heartily recommend it at its list price, it can offer exceptional value for money.

The biggest changes with the PS5 Slim are indeed as its name would imply: its small footprint and form factor mean the PS5 Slim is around 30% smaller, which is welcome given the original’s heft. It’s of the same design language, but not exactly the same either. While the form of the PS5 Slim still features the fanned, larger end, the console’s shell is now split by a gap (‘filled in’ by the black plastic of the console’s main body underneath), making for four separate plates.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

One small difference is the front ports both being USB-C on the Slim too, trading the launch model’s USB-A port for the second USB-C one. And apart from a slightly larger hard drive - the PS5 Slim sports a 1TB SSD as opposed to the original’s 825GB - it has the identical PS5 specs within it that offer that wonderful performance we’re used to from Sony’s current console. You’ve also got a host of customization options with the PS5 Slim, thanks to Sony releasing a wide number of different console covers that can be easily slotted on.

It is that performance, combined with the new design, that makes the PS5 Slim so easy to recommend. PS5 games run like a dream and with a library that’s bigger than ever, now offers more adventures than before. Sony’s first-party titles in particular are dreamy from a performance standpoint - whether you prefer resolution and detail or frame rate speed and smoothness. PlayStation 4 games also still run like a dream which means your backlog can be taken onto PS5 Slim with ease. The DualSense Wireless controller is still the same original one which is great for the haptic features that help make the PS5 stand out, but its battery life is still underwhelming.

The PS5 Slim doesn’t reinvent the PS5 by any means - that evolution is handled by the new PS5 Pro - but its new design makes it an exceptionally sleek version of Sony’s current-gen machine. With the same great performance, quality hardware and specs, and a larger-than-ever library, it’s an easy console to recommend.

PS5 Slim review: Price and availability

• List price: $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799 (disc) / $449.99 / £389.99 / AU$679.99 (digital)
• Launched on November 10, 2023
• Same price as the original PS5; regular offers are often available

The PS5 Slim is now the default PlayStation 5 model and is widely available in every region, replacing the launch model almost entirely. It took over the same price point and is thus a straight swap.

However, since the PS5 launched, several regions have been hit by PS5 price rises (sometimes multiple price rises) and the PS5 Slim represents the newer, adjusted price points in those countries, not the original one. The US price has remained the same, however. Offsetting this somewhat, now we’re into the console’s fifth year, is that deals and discounts on the PS5 Slim are becoming more frequent, with genuinely good bundles and offers being put on by Sony itself, as well as various retailers.

In the market, it’s priced almost identically to the Xbox Series X console, which has also seen some regional price rises. The PS5 Slim Digital Edition also now has direct competition from an Xbox Series X Digital Edition console but undercuts its Microsoft counterpart in price considerably.

Within the PlayStation 5 ecosystem itself, we now have the PS5 Pro to factor into the equation. Coming in at a mighty $699.99 / £699.99 the Pro is considerably more expensive than the Slim, and its performance and benefits are a little more niche, and for an enthusiast audience. As a result, the PS5 Slim offers good value in relation to its more powerful brethren, given the experiences it offers are still excellent.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PS5 Slim review: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PS5 Slim review: Design & features

• Slick and chic design, more compact than that of the original
• Detachable disc drive, and excellent controller
• Wide choice of replaceable console covers for personalization

The main selling point of the PS5 Slim is indeed in its design, aesthetic, and form factor. Sony has a history of making refined, smaller, and slimmer versions of all its home consoles. so the PS5 getting the trimming-the-fat treatment was expected - and it delivers too, coming in at around 30% smaller than the launch model PS5.

There’s a similar design language here, however, with a flare remaining at one end (for the fans) and the sweeping curves of the PS5 hardware family remain across the Slim, making for a slick-looking form. The console’s covers are now in four parts, not two, with a gap between the plates forming a striking ‘black’ line across both the console’s top and bottom.

These, like the original, can be removed and swapped for others that Sony has made (or other third-party ones, if you fancy), meaning there are plenty of customization options to personalize your PS5 Slim. The disc drive is detachable by default too, so if you buy a digital variant and later decide to add a disc drive then that’s some extra flexibility right there.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

While the vertical stand for the PS5 Slim is a nicer-looking, slicker metal ring, compared to the original’s bulky black plastic model, it doesn’t come with the console by default which is a mark against the console’s value. If you do buy the stand, the result is a console that looks sharper when standing upright compared to its predecessor. If you stick with horizontal orientation, you can rely on the two small cheapish-lookin plastic feet that are provided.

In terms of features present on the Slim, it is exactly the same, spec-wise, as the original model apart from two minor quality-of-life amendments; one internal, one external. The internal change is that of a boost to storage, with the PS5 Slim being equipped with a 1TB SSD compared to the launch model’s custom 825GB drive.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PS5 Slim review: Performance

• Excellent gaming experiences and performance
• Haptics and triggers on the DualSense are superb
• Fantastic interface and intuitive user experience

Much like how the original PS5 won us over with its excellent gaming performance, the PS5 Slim continues that and offers the same breathtaking experiences. The best PS5 games run beautifully with adventures such as God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, Astro Bot, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 being particular first-party highlights that really take advantage of the PS5’s hardware.

PS4 games run like a dream on the PS5 Slim too, and the same backward compatibility level with the previous gen’s discs and digital titles remains a simple part of the day-to-day PS5 experience. I’ve been revisiting Doom (2016) recently, for example, and the extra boost to loading times in particular makes it a joy to play. The PS5 Game Boost mode will also improve performance across the board (in principle) for PS5 games, and makes some games run smoother, with faster frame rates, or in higher resolution - or a combination of all of those.

You can even experience older games on your PS5 with the updated and modern arrangement of Sony’s PS Plus subscription. The top premium level can give you access to PS3 game streaming from the cloud, as well as some select PS1 and PS2 games to download. While perhaps not quite as generous or deep as Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, a PS Plus subscription does make the experience of having a PS5 Slim even better and feels essential.

On that note of streaming and downloading games, it is worth noting that in all my testing, on Wi-Fi and Ethernet, I still never get close to my actual download speed on the PS5. This is something I have experienced on every PS5 I have owned sadly, and not a problem on Xbox Series X.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

On a practical performance level, using the PS5 Slim is a joy too. It’s incredibly simple to set up, and transfer files from one to another if need be, and removing the console covers to access the M.2 PS5 SSD slot or change them entirely is very easy, and quite satisfying. The extra USB-C port and slightly larger SSD means that day-to-day usage is improved too, and benefits the whole experience.

The DualSense, while exactly the same as it was in 2020 - there’s no V2 like there was with the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller, sadly - remains absolutely excellent. While a generally top gamepad, the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers continue to feel brilliant. The PS5 Slim is compatible with all PS5 (and almost all PS4) accessories too, so if you own any from a previous machine from this or last generation then these will be able to be used on a PS5 Slim.

This is made extra simple because the UI and operating system layout are identical to the launch PS5 - and PS5 Pro. Navigating the PS5 Slim, from games to screenshots, and from streaming apps to save files and deeper settings is simple and intuitive. There are also now more customization options on offer with the UI being honed and enhanced since the launch model’s initial release.

Thus, the PS5 Slim is an easy recommendation. It’d be an easy recommendation if the launch model of the PS5 existed still, but now that it has taken over the position of the ‘standard’ console from its predecessor - and improved on it slightly - it’s the easiest current-gen console recommendation I can make right now.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Should I buy the PS5 Slim? Buy it if...

You want the best value PlayStation console available
With the PS5 Pro now out in the wild, but the PS5 Slim offering an exceptional gaming experience still, this is the model to get if you want great bang for your buck and aren’t chasing the most powerful console going.

You’re looking for a customizable PS5 console
With it being the standard model, there are now multiple options for console cover colors that also match with an expanded set of DualSense controllers giving you more control over your setup’s aesthetic than ever before.

You’re looking for a top console packed with great experiences
The PS5 game library is larger than ever in 2025 and is filled with awesome, memorable, and expansive experiences and the PS5 Slim is easily the best way to enjoy these - and best value way when regular discounts and deals come around too.

You want the best current controller
The PS5’s DualSense controller is one of the most interesting and best-ever pads made for a console, and you’ll get the absolute most and best out of it on PS5. The haptic feedback in particular is a dream, while the adaptive triggers also offer further immersion.

Don't buy it if...

You need the most powerful PlayStation console going right now
If you do want the most performant console from Sony right now, then you’re better off considering the PS5 Pro with its beefier specs and a more capable feature set, and quality of life improvements offering the best PlayStation experience money can buy right now.

You are happy with your launch model PS5
If you’re content with your launch model PlayStation 5 then there’s almost literally no reason to change to the Slim, with the two models being almost identical apart from a port, and a bit of internal storage.

Also consider...

If you’re still undecided about committing to the PS5 Slim, then here are two fine alternatives to consider for console gaming in 2025.

PS5 Pro
Sony’s mid-generation upgrade to the PS5 Slim is a great alternative to the Slim for those looking for more power and to be on the cutting edge of PlayStation tech. If you’re looking to get the absolute maximum out of your PlayStation games, and have the most performant console giving the most complete PlayStation experience then the Pro could be for you.

For more information, check out our full PS5 Pro review

Xbox Series X
Microsoft’s most powerful current-generation console is a great machine in 2025 and is perfect for anyone looking to combine a fine library of Xbox games with Xbox Game Pass. If you’re on the lookout for the best Xbox experience on the market right now, complete with its excellent asymmetrical controller, then this is the console to go for.

For more information, check out our full Xbox Series X review

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) How I tested the PS5 Slim

• Tested over the course of months, replacing my original PS5
• Compared to PS5 Pro and launch PS5
• Used it multiple days a week for months playing a variety of games, transferring data, and with a range of accessories

I’ve tested and lived with the PS5 Slim for several months now with it being my office PS5, and regular ‘normal’ PS5 console (alongside my main PS5 Pro machine). As a result, it’s been used for testing hardware, and games, and has been used for regular gaming of PS5 and PS4 titles in my own time when not using my PS5 Pro.

I have been able to compare it to my PS5 Pro, as well as the original PS5 model I have owned from physical footprint and design to performance and everyday use. I have engaged with the console on multiple levels; using the SSD bay, using it in both horizontal and vertical positions, and also changing the console covers from white to Volcanic Red.

I have played both digital and disc games on the console in combination with an Acer Predator X32QFS 4K gaming monitor, and I have tested multiple accessories with the PS5 Slim including a SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset, a Sabrent M.2 PS5 SSD, and Seagate Game Drive external SSD for PlayStation.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024-January 2025

January is finally over. After what always feels like the longest month of the year, it's time to get the lowdown on what you can stream on Apple TV Plus during the shortest month of 2025.

In this guide, I've rounded up all the new movies and TV shows that'll debut on Apple's streaming platform in February. You'll also find more details on the weekly episodic releases for recently launched and returning TV Originals, including new installments of Severance season 2 and Prime Target. Without further ado, then, here's what you can look forward to on one of the world's best streaming services before March 1.

February 5

Spanish rom-com Love You to Death premieres in early February (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• Love You to Death episodes 1 and 2
• Mythic Quest season 4 episode 3
• Prime Target episode 4

February 7

Severance season 2 continues to get weirder and weirder with each new episode (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• Severance season 2 episode 4

February 12

Prime Target's fifth episode is out in mid-February (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• Love You to Death episode 3
• Mythic Quest season 4 episode 4
• Prime Target episode 5

February 14

The Gorge is a supernatural action-thriller that stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• The Gorge
• Severance season 2 episode 5

February 19

Mythic Quest's fourth season continues apace throughout February (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• Love You to Death episode 4
• Mythic Quest season 4 episode 5
• Prime Target episode 6

February 21

Surface season 2 makes its streaming debut in late February (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• Severance season 2 episode 6
• Surface season 2 episode 1

February 26

Another Mythic Quest season 4 episode will be released before the end of the month (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• Love You to Death episode 5
• Mythic Quest season 4 episode 6
• Prime Target episode 7

February 28

Severance season 2's seventh episode arrives on the final day of February (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

• Onside: Major League Soccer episodes 1 through 8
• Severance season 2 episode 7
• Surface season 2 episode 2

For more Apple TV Plus coverage, read our guides on Foundation season 3, Slow Horses season 5, Presumed Innocent season 2, and the best Apple TV Plus movies.

Borrowing from Apple’s MagSafe, Qi2 enables faster, more efficient magnetic wireless charging.