There are dozens of rumours on the internet about Sony releasing a slim version of its flagship gaming platform, the PS3.

Is this a leaked image of the PS3 Slim?

1. Retailers in Japan have noted that the current 80GB PS3 will no longer be available from Sony after the 9th of August and since the 160GB edition isn’t sold in Japan, that would leave them with no PS3′s to sell, unless there was a new model.

2. Amazon have announced price cuts on all its 160GB models and bundles.

3. There have also been reports from component distributors that supply Sony with parts for the PS3 that they have received orders double the normal order levels. This also points to a big possibility that Sony is definitely up to something with regards to the PS3.

The possibility of the official launch by Sony would either come after E3 or at Gamescom Expo taking place on the 18th of August in Germany.

My advice is if you don’t own a PS3, hold off on that purchase to see what the new hardware offers or what price drops you would see from Sony for the standard bundles currently on offer.