Sony has officially announced the launch of a new “pro” version of its flagship videogame console the PlayStation 5. The new product is a mid-generation upgrade that will cost consumers a staggering amount of $700 in exchange for some performance improvements.
Enhanced graphics through a revamped GPU are one of the most appealing features of the PlayStation 5 Pro. Meanwhile, Mark Cerny, lead architect of the device, highlighted other upgrades including faster memory and a significant boost in visual fidelity.
Cerny commented that enhancements were made to the PS5 Pro’s ray tracing technology – a technique that simulates the natural behavior of light in virtual environments. The Japanese giant claims that the upgraded version of the product can triple the speed of its predecessor and that the combination of these enhancements typically results in more realistic and immersive experiences.
Moreover, the PS5 Pro will include AI-powered upscaling technology named PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This feature will significantly improve game visuals through machine learning and will result in better graphics during scenes that demand higher frame rates to produce improved resolutions.
The PS5 Pro 5 comes with a 2TB solid-state drive (SSD) equipped – twice the capacity of the original PS5 – to allow gamers to enlarge their libraries. Moreover, it will support Wi-Fi 7 in locations where this technology is currently available to offer faster and more stable gaming experiences.
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Overall, Cerny claimed that this is “the most powerful console we’ve [Sony] ever built”.
Despite all of these enhancements, the significant increase in the Pro’s price tag has raised eyebrows among consumers and tech analysts – some of who believe that this will be a hard sell for Sony. So is it worth it? Let’s find out.
Sony Targets “Enthusiastic” Gamers with a Desire for Better Graphics with PS5 Pro
It took Sony a bit longer than it did with the PS4 to release the Pro version of the PS5. Cerny commented that several factors contributed to motivate the company to work on an upgraded model.
One of the most notable ones was a desire for enhanced “graphics performance” by developers who aim to deliver better experiences to users and bridge the gap between high-resolution fidelity and smoother performance.
Sony also took advantage of the advances that the semiconductor industry has made to produce better and more reliable graphic processing units (GPUs) like the NVIDIA GeForce 40 series.
The PS5 Pro seems to be a bet that seeks to reduce the gap between video game consoles and high-performing gaming PCs. Considering the list of popular titles that will soon be released, including the widely-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI, the company is probably aiming to offer the best experience possible to users and position the PS5 Pro as the premier console for visually demanding games.
Moreover, the Japanese tech giant seems to be targeting a more sophisticated audience with the Pro who may be willing to pay a premium in exchange for a significantly better gaming experience.
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Industry experts have already said that this higher price tag will create some buzz and they suggest that the console’s target audience will not be a regular PS5 player but rather the most “enthusiastic” segment of buyers.
That said, videogame console sales have been declining lately due to softer spending, changes in users’ habits that have been favoring outdoor over indoor activities, and higher interest rates that deter people from seeking financing for their high-ticket purchases.
However, the upcoming release of GTA VI could stage a booming return for this market in 2025.
“The console industry has had a tough time this year, with falling sales of PS5, Xbox Series S and X, and the aging Nintendo Switch,” said the head of GamesIndustry.biz, Christopher Dring. He added: “PS5 Pro isn’t going to change that situation.”
Game Support and Early Impressions
Sony has announced that several games will receive free software updates to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s enhanced capabilities.
These titles will be identifiable by a “PS5 Pro Enhanced” label. Some of the games confirmed to receive Pro enhancements include:
- Alan Wake 2
- Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
- Demon’s Souls
- Dragon’s Dogma 2
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Gran Turismo 7
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- The Crew Motorfest
- The First Descendant
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered
This list represents a mix of both first-party Sony titles and third-party games, indicating broad developer support for the new hardware.
Early experiences with the PS5 Pro indicate that there are noticeable improvements in graphics and performance. According to a reporter from CNET who played Gran Turismo 7 on this new version, the game demonstrated to impressive new modalities: 8K gameplay and 4K mode with enhanced ray tracing.
The 8K experience resulted in more immersive scenery for players on an 80-inch display while the 4K mode increased the game’s realism.
Meanwhile, comparisons were also made between the original device and the Pro based on the journalist’s experience playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The PS5 Pro gameplay and graphics were described as much sharper and likened to “putting on new glasses.” Other games were also benefitted from the enhanced 4K mode, which increases the frame rate to 60fps.
A Disc Drive is Not Included on the PS5 Pro
The $700 price tag for the PS5 Pro is, and may continue to be, a topic of debate among gamers as it represents a $200 increase compared to the regular PS5 current retail price, which was launched in 2020.
Moreover, the PS5 has not seen a price reduction in 4 years and it is unclear if Sony will contemplate the possibility of slashing its cost in November when the PS5 Pro comes out. For some consumers, it will be hard to justify spending $700 on a new videogame console that offers relatively intangible improvements.
It is also worth noting that the PS5 Pro does not come with a built-in disc reader. The cost of adding one is $80, which increases the total price to nearly $800. Overall, the relatively subtle nature of some of the graphical improvements, and the fact that all PS5 games will continue to be playable on the standard PS5, may ultimately deter a large group of consumers from buying the Pro version.
Finally, industry observers have also pointed out that this release might be closer to the end of the PS5’s lifecycle than its middle, which could make the investment less appealing for some consumers as they would opt to wait until the PS6 is released.
Is the PS5 Pro Worth It? A Cost-Benefit Analysis
The question of whether the PS5 Pro is “worth it” is highly subjective and answers will vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences. The console offers significantly improved graphics performance, especially in ray tracing and high frame rate scenarios, a larger 2TB SSD addressing storage concerns of the base PS5, and future-proofing for upcoming graphically intensive games.
It also has the potential for enhanced VR experiences with PSVR2 and Wi-Fi 7 support for faster online gaming and downloads.
However, its high price point, especially considering the lack of a disc drive, can be considered a deal breaker. The subtle improvements in some games may not justify the cost for casual gamers and all PS5 games will still be playable on the standard PS5.
Enthusiast gamers who prioritize the best possible console performance might find the PS5 Pro appealing. This group includes people with 4K TVs capable of high refresh rates or 8K displays, gamers who haven’t yet purchased a PS5 and are willing to invest more to get a premium experience, and PSVR2 owners looking for enhanced virtual reality experiences.
On the other hand, casual gamers satisfied with the performance of the standard PS5, users who own 1080p displays or TVs without high refresh rate capabilities, budget-conscious consumers, and gamers who primarily play titles that may not see significant enhancements on the Pro might want to skip this upgrade.