Sony · Released · First generation introduced 2006
PlayStation 3
Blu-ray hardware in original, Slim and sliding-lid Super Slim designs.
By Tulasiram Pemmadi · Research updated 25 October 2026 · Research guide, not a hands-on reviewOriginal PlayStation 3 and Slim consoles beside a controller. PS3-Consoles-Set.jpg by Evan-Amos. Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; no hardware features altered.
Hardware at a glance
Media
Blu-ray, DVD and CD
Processor family
Cell
Video
HDMI and analogue AV
Storage
Internal hard drive
Family-level details. Check the exact model before assuming that a feature is shared across revisions.
Hardware and game library
PS3 debuted in Japan and North America in November 2006; Europe followed in March 2007. Blu-ray increased disc capacity, while network services and downloadable games changed distribution. Original, Slim and Super Slim models remain part of the same generation, but their physical hardware and features differ.
Choosing the right model
PS2 disc compatibility is not shared by every PS3. Identify the CECH code before paying a premium for that feature. A larger replacement hard drive cannot add it. Check HDMI, disc loading, fan behaviour and controller charging. Installed digital games should not be treated as transferable purchases just because they appear in a listing.
Model and edition registry
Selected documented models and editions. This registry does not yet include every regional SKU, promotional unit or limited edition.
A Blu-ray platform with several hardware generations
Sony’s history is useful for the generation timeline, but it is not a CECH-by-CECH compatibility chart. Keep the exact CECH code attached to any claim about PS2 playback. A statement that a console plays PS1 games is not evidence that it also accepts PS2 discs.
Model and package identifiers in manufacturer documentation
A hardware model number is different from a retailer SKU, barcode or serial number. These are the codes explicitly named in the linked manufacturer documents. The region identifies the documentation archive; it does not establish exclusive sale in that country.
Match the full label on the console and its box. A shared family number alone does not authenticate a special-edition shell, identify every bundle accessory or establish current repair eligibility.
GTA editions to check for this hardware
These links match the release-platform labels in our GTA catalogue. Open the game guide for its edition and sources. This is not a complete backwards-compatibility list or a guarantee of current store availability.
Images identify the pictured hardware; they are not evidence for every variant listed. Missing regional SKUs and undocumented editions remain outside this guide. Send a correction with a source.
