80GB PS3 confirmed for Europe at $500

Sony's HD newsletter reveals new console and price point

NEWS: 21 December 2007 12:12 GMT by Amy-Mae Elliott

In what we can only assume is a public relations blunder, the Sony-backed "HD World" newsletter, designed to promote the Blu-ray format, has revealed a new model of PS3 for Europe.

The most recent edition of HD World mentions the larger hard drive capacity model for the European market in the context of a wider industry piece on a report on the deciding factors in the format war, it states:

"In Western Europe by the end of 2008, 'Understanding & Solutions' predicts average player prices (as opposed to entry level model pricing), for HD DVD and Blu-ray of $275 and $475 respectively, with the yet-to-be-launched European 80GB PS3 retailing at just over $500."

Currently on sale in the UK is the cut-price 40GB PlayStation 3, with no backwards compatibility and the 60GB version.

Pocket-lint had previously suggested that Sony would eventually phase out the 60GB model in the UK in favour of the larger 80GB version, but this has not been confirmed by Sony.

We got in touch with a Sony Europe spokesperson who stated: "The HD World newsletter is written by external sources, and the report quoted is from independent analysts. There is absolutely no 80GB version of the PS3 planned for Europe in 2008".

>> News - 60GB PS3 to be discontinued?

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Have Your Say

I would love sony to continue the 60GB version of the PS3. I strongly belive it is the best version and should thus had been the only model to have been availible for purchase on the market.
In addition, I feel that it was a very bad idea releaing several versions of the PS3 becuase it results in more confusion and hesitation of consumers like myself purchising a playstion 3 console.

Alphonsus Ndudi, England
the 60gb was loud in comparison to the 40gb, so the new 80gb will be the same quieter model as the 40gb but with different hard drive, also they are bundling a dual shock controller with it! the price will take over the 40gb at £299 and the 40gb will be phased out, the 80gb is released on the 27th aug 08 check out cheap ps3 as they update their prices daily.
andy, wales