How tall is the PS5 lying down?

As an avid gamer and industry follower, one of the first questions I had when the PS5 was revealed was – how tall is this thing? Sony‘s largest console ever stands at an imposing 15.4 inches (390 mm) vertically. But just how big is it oriented horizontally?

Resting completely flat, the PS5 measures 15.4 inches (390 mm) at its tallest points. These are the front right and back left corners, which sit slightly higher due to the curved side panels.

Detailed PS5 Dimensions and Size Comparisons

Let‘s dig into the exact dimensions of the PS5 laying down:

• Height – 15.4 inches (390 mm)
• Width – 4.09 inches (104 mm)
• Depth – 10.24 inches (260 mm)

How does this compare to previous PlayStation consoles horizontally?

As you can see, the PS5 absolutely dwarfs previous PlayStations in terms of height, even when laid horizontally. The PS5 is nearly 3 inches taller! However it is thinner in width and depth.

How does the PS5 compare to Xbox? The latest Xbox Series X measures a more modest 11.8 inches tall. So PS5 claims the crown for height while Xbox wins for width at 11 inches.

The Upsides of Going Horizontal

Sony designed the PS5 to operate flawlessly in either orientation, thanks to its advanced cooling system. Lying horizontally keeps the profile slimmer and center of gravity lower. This prevents any chance of the monolith-like device from tipping over!

According to Sony‘s teardown expert Yasuhiro Ootori, the liquid metal cooling and airflow perform identically vertically or horizontally:

"It doesn‘t matter whether your console is in vertical or horizontal position, the cooling performance is essentially identical either way"

So while placing the PS5 horizontally sacrifices some vertical space, you gain peace of mind stability-wise.

Using the Included Stand

For horizontal placement, Sony provides a plastic stand in the box. Attaching this brings the overall height up to around 16.65 inches at the tallest corners:

The integrated stand lifts the PS5 about an inch higher than laying flat, providing extra airflow underneath the console. So attaching the stand horizontally is recommended for cooling performance.

How Will Future PS5 Revisions Stack Up?

Over the PS4 lifespan, Sony released a slimmer base model and more powerful PS4 Pro. Can we expect similar PS5 revisions down the road? Based on the latest reports, a PS5 Pro is potentially releasing in 2024 or 2024.

This PS5 Pro will likely feature upgraded internals and performance. But will external dimensions shrink at all? Given advanced cooling needs, don‘t expect a dramatically slimmer profile. A Digital Edition without a disc drive could shave an inch or so off width.

When it comes to height however, the prevailing expectation is future PS5s will stand just as tall. Evolving airflow requirements and the liquid metal cooling system make significant shrinkage unlikely.

Of course as a journalist specializing in gaming tech, I‘ll be reporting back on any PS5 Pro news and announcements as they emerge! For now, clearing 15.4 inches of vertical clearance remains recommended.

The Best Way to Experience Next-Gen Gaming

While dominating your entertainment center visually, the PS5 still delivers like no other console. The SSD and custom processor enable incredible 4K visuals, ray tracing effects, ultra-fast loading, and more.

Reviewers and gamers alike agree – the exponential leap over PS4 justifies the supersized design. Simply put, the PS5‘s groundbreaking performance necessitates uncompromising cooling.

And remember, whether vertical or horizontal, Sony reassures us those massive heatsinks and liquid metal thermal interface keep things chilled out. So don‘t hesitate placing your PS5 horizontally if needed to fit your setup.

For the optimal balance of cooling, stability, and ergonomics, I suggest attaching the horizontal stand. Doing so lets air properly flow while preventing any chance of tipping.

So while managing that 15.4 inch height horizontally poses some spatial challenges, the gaming experience proves well worth it. As the premier destination for PS5 coverage, tips, and insights – I‘ll continue following this story and sharing updates with you here!