On Tuesday, Sony unveiled its latest addition to the PlayStation family: PlayStation 5 Pro! Scheduled for release on November 7, this updated console comes with a powerful upgrade in graphics performance but at a higher price of $699.99—$200 more than the standard disc-based PS5.
According to Mark Cerny, PlayStation’s Lead Architect, the PS5 Pro is designed to render games up to 45% faster than its predecessor, making it the most powerful console Sony has built to date. The introduction of the PS5 Pro aims to meet the demand from game developers for more graphical power and to cater to the three-quarters of PS5 users who prefer performance mode for smoother gameplay over fidelity mode, which often results in lower frame rates.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Sony’s latest console, the PS5 Pro, is a response to the demand for better performance and graphics in gaming. The Pro version features a significantly larger GPU with 67% more compute units and 28% faster RAM. These improvements enable the console to deliver consistent frame rates of 60fps while maintaining high-quality graphics.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro supports advanced ray tracing capabilities, allowing it to render realistic lighting and shadow effects at speeds two to three times faster than the original PS5. The console also features new custom hardware for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based supersampling technology that improves frame rates by lowering the game’s resolution and then using AI models to upscale the images, enhancing their graphical details.
Sony demonstrated the PS5 Pro’s enhanced performance with games like “The Last of Us Part II,” showcasing its ability to maintain smooth gameplay at 60fps compared to the standard PS5’s 30fps. The PS5 Pro also includes the PS5 Pro Game Boost, which can improve the performance of over 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 games.
However, the PS5 Pro lacks an essential feature found in its predecessor—a built-in Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive. Instead, users must purchase and install a separate drive for $80. Despite these enhancements, a key question remains: Will the PS5 Pro attract current PS5 owners to upgrade?
Preorders for the PS5 Pro begin on September 26, and it remains to be seen if the performance improvements justify the higher price for existing customers.
TF Summary: What’s Next?
Sony’s PS5 Pro offers enhanced performance, faster frame rates, and improved graphics, but it comes at a higher price and without some features of the original PS5. The market response will determine if these improvements are compelling enough for current PS5 owners to upgrade. As pre-orders start soon, the gamers will see if the PS5 Pro lives up to the hype and its promise of a superior gaming experience.