What are the new revisions for?
Across a device’s lifecycle, manufacturers roll out revisions mainly to improve margins by swapping out the core mounting and support components. Updated parts can be cheaper, arrive faster, or simply enable faster production. This is common with consoles and many electronic devices. For instance, as chip supply tightens, makers often adapt designs to use the parts available at the moment. Later, when supply normalizes, they may introduce changes to reflect new sourcing and manufacturing realities. Revisions also let vendors address issues uncovered after launch that could not be fully resolved before release.
New revisions are a standard practice not only for consoles but also for other electronics like smartphones. Sometimes, for example, different batches of the same iPhone model ship with screens from varying manufacturers depending on region and production year.
How to understand which revision of PlayStation 5 this or that is?
The PlayStation 5 launched in late 2020. Since then, Sony has issued two additional revisions in addition to the original, resulting in three distinct SKUs on store shelves. Each revision can be identified by the product code (Item Code) printed on the box, the device body, and the datasheet, often shown in parentheses by sellers.
PlayStation 5 product codes follow a pattern like CFI-1XXXX, with X representing a digit or letter.
For example, a PS5 with the code CFI-1008B indicates several things:
CFI shows the PlayStation 5 base family. Model codes for revisions and accessories begin with these letters;
the next digit indicates the model number, which remains consistent across revisions; future groupings such as PlayStation 5 Slim or Pro are likely to receive numbers 2 and 3;
the 0 represents the device revision number: 0 is the first revision, 1 the second, and 2 the third;
the 08 is the country code for the console, with codes like 00 for Japan, 18 for South Korea, and others in use;
INSIDE designates the Digital Edition variant, with the same logic applying to different letters for other configurations.
What is the difference between PlayStation 5 revisions?
Revision CFI-11XXX, introduced in fall 2021, differs primarily in weight reduction of about 300 grams compared with the original CFI-10XXX. Sony reengineered the cooling system, using a smaller heatsink and a redesigned radiator. The original cooler weighs 1639 grams, while the second revision’s cooler weighs 1368 grams. Fewer heat pipes are visible: six in the original versus four in the revised unit.
The second revision also altered the stand design: the original used a screw-on mechanism, while the second revision uses a clip for attachment. Performance stays in line, but there are heating differences, with Eurogamer noting that smaller cooling arrays can heat some components by a few degrees, particularly the RAM and CPU block. Heat is not dangerous, but some users remove the outer shell for better ventilation.
Revision CFI-12XXX appeared as early as September 2022. This update reshaped the cooling system again, shaving roughly another 300 g off the weight and further reducing radiator fins. An additional heatpipe compensated the fin reduction. The motherboard saw a redesign as well, becoming smaller and placing components closer together, which made CMOS battery replacement more involved in this revision. Earlier revisions allowed motherboard replacement without removing it from the chassis; by the third revision, this procedure can be unavoidable.
Benefits include improved power efficiency: the CFI-12XXX revision consumes about 30 watts less per hour than the prior generation without sacrificing performance. Even with the cooling system smaller, the third revision does not run hotter than the original when compared at typical workloads.
In summary, the PS5 has not achieved a flawless revision, but the latest version comes closest in several respects. The only practical drawback is the CMOS battery replacement challenge, a minor concern since most users will not need to swap the battery for five to six years after purchase.
How to determine Nintendo Switch’s revision number and is there a difference between them?
The Nintendo Switch family has been on the market since 2016. Over roughly seven years, three models appeared: the original Nintendo Switch, the portable-only Switch Lite, and the premium Switch OLED with a better display and higher price. When discussing revisions, the original Switch is the focal point because it has two built-in revisions worth noting.
Like the PlayStation 5, Nintendo uses product codes to identify revisions. The code format is HAC-00X(-XX), with X representing a digit or letter. For example, HAC-001(-01) reveals the code logic. The
CROSS designation marks the entire Switch family; HAC codes cover consoles and accessories such as Joy-Con controllers, docking stations, chargers, and more.
Breakdowns of the code include: 001 for the core device; (-01) indicates the second revision released in 2019. The 2016 original generally appears as HAC-001 without the trailing revision marker. Packaging design often changes between revisions, with early packaging showing Joy-Cons on different sides of the console depending on the version.
In the (-01) revision, Nintendo updated the Tegra X1 processor to X1 Mariko and switched RAM from LPDDR4 to LPDDR4X. These changes boost energy efficiency and runtime, with the newer revision offering longer battery life across typical play sessions. In demanding titles, some performance improvements become noticeable, such as smoother frames and faster loading in games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The newer revision is not without drawbacks; some users report a cooler color tint on the screen in this version, especially on lighter backgrounds. Still, most gamers feel the improvement in overall experience justifies the change. Nintendo itself has phased out production of the original revision, though stock may still be found, particularly for devices that are widely used in households and communities.