It’s official: The PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) is here. But why? When Sony introduces a new console, it usually comes with games or technologies that will sell it. This was the case until the PlayStation 5, and even that console continued this tradition in a way. The PlayStation 5 had a rough start and a lackluster sales performance compared to its predecessors. Its successor, the PS5 Pro, is Sony’s most powerful console with new technological innovations. However, that’s not the only thing that makes this console special; with the PS5 Pro, Sony’s plans are also changing.
Sony hasn’t been able to release good new games lately. They are doing good things, but they are usually remakes or remastered. It’s a shame that there are no exclusive games to play on a beautiful console like the PS5 Pro. Let’s hope this situation changes and Sony returns to its old days with PS5 Pro.
PlayStation 5 Pro specs
At first glance, the design of the PlayStation 5 Pro may not look much different from the original PlayStation 5. But a few nice details have been added and it’s interesting to note that it retains the upright form, but you can still flip it to landscape. Inside, there are many changes. Sony has equipped the Pro with an upgraded GPU that offers 67% more processing units, resulting in faster rendering times and a 45% improvement in overall performance. Players can also now enjoy enhanced ray tracing on the PS5 Pro, providing more realistic lighting effects and sharper reflections.
One of the highlights of PS5 Pro is the AI-powered upscaling technology known as PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. This tool uses machine learning algorithms to help improve image clarity, making gameplay sharper and more detailed.
Other key upgrades include an increase in CPU power and faster memory. The PS5 Pro will run on the same eight-core, 16-thread Zen 2 CPU architecture, but with a special “High CPU Frequency Mode” feature that boosts the speed to 3.85 GHz. Meanwhile, memory bandwidth has been increased from 448 GB/s to 576 GB/s, making games run smoother than ever. More detailed information and comparison with the regular version:
| Specs | PlayStation 5 | PlayStation 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 8 core, 16 threaded Zen 2 @ 3.5GHz | 8 core, 16 threaded Zen 2 @ 3.85GHz |
| GPU cores | 36 CU, RDNA 2 | 60 CU, RDNA 3 (not certain) |
| GPU speed | 10.23 TFLOPs @ 2.23GHz | 33.5 TFLOPs @ 2.18GHz (not certain) |
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 @ 14Gbps | 16GB GDDR6 @ 18Gbps |
| Memory bandwidth | 448GB/s | 576GB/s |
| Memory allocated for games | 12.5GB | 13.7GB |
| Storage | 825GB SSD | 2TB SSD |
| Disk Drive | Internal disk drive | Internal disk drive (sold separately) |
| Ray tracing | Standard ray tracing | Advanced ray tracing (faster light reflections) |
| AI-assisted upgrade technology | None | PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (AI-assisted) |
| Backward compatibility | PS4 games supported | PS4 games and PS5 Pro Enhanced game support |
| Wireless technology | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 (in some regions) |
| VRR and 8K Support | 4K resolution and 60 FPS (game has to support) | 4K/60 FPS, 8K, and VRR support (game has to support) |
PlayStation 5 Pro price
If you’re wondering how much all of this extra power will cost, you’re looking at a starting price of $700 in the US. In other regions, the PS5 Pro will retail for £700, €800, and ¥119,980, making it significantly more expensive than the base PS5. Additionally, the console won’t include a disc drive out of the box. Players who want to use physical games or movies will need to purchase Sony’s PS5 disc-drive attachment, which will cost an extra $80.
PlayStation 5 Pro release date
The PS5 Pro will hit shelves on November 7, 2024, but curious fans can pre-order it starting September 26, 2024. With upgraded hardware and improved performance, the introduction of the PS5 Pro just ahead of the holiday season clearly demonstrates Sony’s ambitions.
For those upgrading from the PS5, it’s also worth noting that the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense controllers, and Pulse Elite headset. And there’s no need to worry about your existing game library – everything that worked on the original PS5 will work on Pro, and in many cases perform better.
Has PlayStation lost its vision?
PlayStation once had a clear and compelling vision; each new console came with must-have games that justified its release. In the PlayStation 3 days, Sony captured the hearts of gamers by offering not only upgraded hardware but also exclusive games that made the investment worthwhile. But things seem to have changed with the PlayStation 5 Pro. Gone are the days when a console launch meant access to groundbreaking new games; instead, gamers are being asked to invest in increasingly expensive hardware without a similar leap in their gaming experience. While the PlayStation 5 Pro has more power, it seems to be a product more focused on graphics and frame rates than on real gaming innovation.
PlayStation consoles were once more accessible. The PS3 and even the PS4 launched at price points that, while not cheap, were justifiable given the hardware bundle and exclusive games. Today, however, with a $700 price tag for the PS5 Pro and a separate $80 disk drive, gaming on PlayStation is becoming an increasingly costly endeavor.
PlayStation 4 and 4 Pro: Unexpected champions
Interestingly, when the PlayStation 4 and 4 Pro launched, they faced their share of criticisms, with many questioning whether incremental upgrades were worth it. Despite the skepticism, these consoles were wildly successful. With the PlayStation 5 on the horizon and a few years away, ambitious title launches like Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation 4 Pro showcased the console’s advanced power and capabilities despite its age.
Looking back, PlayStation 4 and 4 Pro units sold over 117 million combined, solidifying their place as some of Sony’s best-selling consoles. They weren’t just powerful; they moved games. Over 1.5 billion copies of PS4 games have been sold worldwide, and many of these titles were exclusive to the PlayStation ecosystem. Grand Theft Auto V is another testament to PS4’s dominance, becoming a global phenomenon that performed even better on the PS4 Pro than on the base model.
PlayStation 4 boasted a robust library of exclusives, with over 100 games that could only be played on Sony’s platform. In comparison, PlayStation 5 has fewer exclusives, despite its advancements in technology. According to the latest figures, PS5 currently has around 50 exclusive games, which is half of what its predecessor had by this point in its lifecycle. The PlayStation 5 Pro video on YouTube has more dislikes than likes.
With such numbers in mind, it raises an important question—can the PlayStation 5 Pro, despite its impressive specs, actually sell games? It’s clear that the hardware is more powerful than ever before, but power alone doesn’t guarantee success. Without the promise of exclusive, must-play titles that once defined the PlayStation experience, the PS5 Pro may face challenges in becoming as beloved as the systems that came before it.
Featured image credit: PlayStation
