When Currys PLC dropped its Black Friday price on the PS5 Slim Digital Console at £294.99, customers thought they’d hit the jackpot. But then Argos Limited undercut them — by £5. And it wasn’t even close to the only surprise. With deals rolling in from Very PLC, EE Limited, and even Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC’s own online store, the UK’s 2025 Black Friday gaming war had officially begun. The timing? Late November, just as families were starting to plan holiday gatherings — and the pressure to score the best tech deals was thicker than a London fog.
Who’s Really Winning the PS5 Price War?
Currys PLC, the UK’s largest electronics retailer with 530 stores and 30,000 staff, pushed its PS5 Digital Console down to £294.99 — a £134 cut from the original £429. They bundled it with EA Sports FC 26, making the game effectively free. For the disc version? £389. The Pro model? A record-low £599. But here’s the twist: Argos Limited, Sainsbury’s discount arm, had already listed the same console — the slimmer, redesigned PS5 Slim — at £289.99. That’s £140 off. Not £134. £140. The Independent confirmed it on November 28, 2025: "Argos has slashed the price of the all-digital PS5 Slim down to only £290." It’s not just about the console. Argos also offered the PS5 Slim disc edition bundled with NBA 2K26 for £379 — a saving of over £80. Currys matched the bundle price but didn’t match the base discount. And while Currys touted "the most affordable console you can buy," Argos didn’t even need to say it. The price did the talking.Why the PS5 Slim? And Why Now?
The PS5 Slim, released in late 2023, isn’t a new console — it’s a redesign. Smaller, lighter, with the same 1TB SSD and 120Hz HDMI output. But for shoppers? It feels like an upgrade. And with the original PS5 now three years old, manufacturers are clearing shelf space for the rumored PS5 Pro 2.0 — expected in 2026. This is classic retail strategy: push the current model hard before the next one drops. The discounts aren’t just about competition. They’re about volume. Currys PLC has spent decades building trust in UK households. Their pitch? "Stock levels, store coverage, same-day collection," as GamingDeals.com noted. You can walk in on Black Friday, grab a console, and have it in your living room before dinner. Argos? They’ve got 700+ locations and a reputation for speed — and their online pickup system is faster than most delivery apps.Who Else Is in the Game?
Very PLC jumped in with bundles "starting from £289," matching Argos’s low. EE Limited, BT’s mobile arm, offered the PS5 Pro for £575 — the lowest ever, according to TechRadar. They even dropped the PlayStation Portal remote player to £175. That’s £25 off its regular price. And while Sony’s own PlayStation Direct offered $100 off bundles in the US, UK shoppers had to rely on local retailers — which is exactly why Currys, Argos, and Very are fighting so hard.
What’s the Real Value?
Let’s not forget the extras. Currys threw in £400 off LG TVs and £200 off Sony TVs with console purchases. Two months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade. Ten percent off controllers and headsets. Argos? Less flashy — but their pricing is cleaner. No hidden conditions. No "buy a TV to get the deal" fine print. Just a straight £140 cut on the PS5 Slim. For budget-conscious families, that’s the difference between a gift under the tree and a gift you have to save for.What’s Next? Cyber Monday and Beyond
Black Friday is just the opening salvo. Cyber Monday — December 1, 2025 — will see more deals, likely targeting accessories, subscriptions, and older models. Analysts expect Currys to match Argos’s £289.99 price by then, or risk losing market share. Meanwhile, Sony’s own financial filings show PS5 sales are still growing in Europe, even as the PS4 fades. This isn’t a fire sale — it’s a strategic pivot. With inflation still hovering around 2.8% in the UK, retailers know consumers are watching every pound. And when a console that once cost £429 drops below £290? That’s not just a deal. It’s a statement.
Why This Matters Beyond Gamers
This isn’t just about gaming. It’s about how the UK’s retail landscape is changing. Argos, once seen as a budget outlet for toys and kitchen gadgets, is now competing head-to-head with Currys on premium tech. Very, once a clothing-focused e-commerce site, is now a major electronics player. And EE? A telecom company selling gaming consoles. The lines are blurring. Meanwhile, Currys — founded in 1927 as a radio shop — is fighting to stay relevant by doubling down on service, not just price. The winner? The customer. The loser? The middleman who doesn’t adapt.Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PS5 Slim worth buying over the original PS5?
Yes — if you care about space or aesthetics. The PS5 Slim has identical performance, same 1TB SSD, same DualSense controller support, but is 30% smaller and lighter. It’s not a new chip — it’s a smarter design. With Black Friday prices dipping below £290, the original PS5 is practically obsolete unless you need a disc drive.
Why is Argos offering a lower price than Currys?
Argos operates on thinner margins and leverages Sainsbury’s supply chain to cut costs. They don’t need to match Currys’ store footprint or same-day delivery promises. Their strength is volume and simplicity: low prices, fast pickup, no gimmicks. Currys offers more perks, but Argos wins on pure price — and shoppers are noticing.
Are these Black Friday deals likely to last?
The £289–£294 range for the PS5 Slim won’t last beyond December. Sony’s next-gen hardware rumors are heating up, and retailers are clearing stock. Cyber Monday may see similar prices, but after that, expect a slow climb back to £330–£350 by January. If you’re buying, don’t wait.
What’s the best bundle for the money?
For most UK buyers, Argos’s PS5 Slim digital edition at £289.99 is unbeatable. If you want a disc drive, Currys’ £389 bundle with EA Sports FC 26 is the smartest pick — you’re paying the same as the console alone. Avoid bundles with games you won’t play. The real value is in the console price, not the freebies.
Is the PS5 Pro worth £599?
Only if you’re a hardcore gamer with a 4K 120Hz TV and play graphically intense titles like Horizon Forbidden West or Spider-Man 2. The Pro offers better ray tracing and higher frame rates, but most games still run great on the base model. At £599, it’s a premium — not a necessity. EE’s £575 deal makes it tempting, but only if you’re upgrading your TV too.
Why are telecom companies like EE selling gaming consoles?
It’s about customer retention. EE bundles consoles with mobile plans or broadband deals — turning a one-time purchase into a long-term relationship. They’re not competing with Currys on hardware. They’re competing for your monthly bill. Same with BT and Sky. Tech retail is no longer just about TVs and speakers — it’s about ecosystems.
