With the launch of the PS5 Slim just weeks away, this slimmed-down model will become the default PS5 in the coming months. However, users without a reliable Internet connection may want to reconsider their purchase, as the console's packaging has been confirmed to be downgraded.

The PS5 Slim consoles are shipping to retailers ahead of the November launch. Naturally, this means that images of the outer box have been circulating on social media. Normally, there is not much interesting in a cardboard console box, but in this case, the small printed text seems to reveal a less-than-welcome surprise.

The text reads: "An Internet connection is required to pair the disk drive with the PS5 console during setup. While a one-time installation requiring Internet is unlikely to be a problem for many users, it could be a bigger problem for those without a stable connection. There are also concerns about the longevity of the console, as Sony may one day in the future disable the servers needed to verify disk drives.

Assuming this requirement is legitimate (Sony has yet to officially confirm this news), the PS5 Slim will initially be a machine that relies on an Internet connection to function. On the other hand, the original PS5 model, released in November 2020, will be able to play disc-based games right out of the box, without requiring a single installation.

As for why Sony decided to introduce such a requirement, it may be to prevent third-party disc drives from being paired with the PS5 Slim. Presumably, only officially licensed peripherals will trigger the installation process. It could also be a symptom of the more modular design of the console. The Slim's disk drive is removable, but the original PS5 was released in two models, with and without a disk drive.

The PS5 Slim will be available this November as a digital-only machine for $449 and with a disk drive for $499. If one wishes to add a disc drive at a later date, there will be an additional $79 fee. The redesigned PS5 will be 30% thinner, but is otherwise downgraded from the launch model.