Sony has officially pulled back the curtain on the PlayStation 5 Pro, a mid-generation refresh and powerhouse addition to the PlayStation family. Set for worldwide release from the 7th of November 2024, the PS5 Pro promises hardware upgrades, better graphics performance, and an overall elevated gaming experience. However, it comes with a considerable price tag that has sparked debate among gamers.
A Beastly Upgrade: What’s New with PS5 Pro?
The PlayStation 5 Pro builds upon the original PS5, enhancing its specifications to deliver an experience aimed at the most discerning of PlayStation gamers. Among the standout features are an upgraded RDNA 2 GPU with 67% more Compute Units and 28% faster memory, resulting in up to 45% faster rendering speeds. This leap in performance allows for smoother gameplay, more vibrant visuals, and high frame rates to make the most of the latest AAA titles.
Key to this visual upgrade is the inclusion of advanced hardware ray tracing capabilities – a first from AMD too. As such, the PS5 Pro can handle ray tracing at up to triple the speed of its predecessor, leading to more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections that add depth and immersion to the gaming environment. This enhancement is complemented by the all new PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driven upscaling technology using machine learning to deliver sharper images with unprecedented clarity – basically Sony’s version of Nvidia’s DLSS.
For gamers concerned about compatibility, the PS5 Pro continues to support a wide range of titles, including more than 8 500 backward-compatible PS4 games. Strangely, most of the games showcased during the recent reveal were from the PS4 era… leaving many to wonder about the diminishing returns of video game graphics [I digress, this is a topic for another day]. There is also a new Game Boost feature promising to stabilise or even enhance the performance of select PS4 and PS5 games, allowing them to take full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s capabilities. Furthermore, the console supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and “8K” gaming, although the latter is – much like with the original PS5 – merely a talking point versus being a realistic goal for games on the system.
As the leaks proved, the console’s exterior design remains consistent with the PS5 family. The PlayStation 5 Pro is slightly taller than the PS5 Slim, and of a similar width. Unlike the previous consoles, it comes with a 2TB SSD – significantly improving storage space over the standard PS5. It will also be bundled with a DualSense wireless controller and Astro’s Playroom (pre-installed on every unit).
A Price That Packs a Punch: $699.99 USD and Beyond
With a confirmed launch price of $699.99 USD | €799.99 EUR | $1299 AUD [estimated at R18 000 ZAR], the PlayStation 5 Pro is not cheap. Worse still, this is the price without an optical drive or a vertical stand. The launch price positions it as one of the most expensive mainstream gaming consoles ever released (even by means of inflation adjusted prices), raising eyebrows and sparking heated discussions across social media. In comparison, the original PlayStation 5 launched at $499 USD, making the PS5 Pro’s price tag a significant step up—one that many feel is too steep, even for a mid-generation refresh.
Comparing the PS5 Pro to other consoles on the market makes the pricing seem even more daunting. This disparity has fuelled criticism from gamers and industry analysts alike, many of whom are arguing how Sony may be pricing out a significant portion of its audience, particularly during a time when the cost of living and consumer electronics continues to rise around the world.
Moreover, looking back at previous generations, Sony’s pricing strategy reflects a broader trend of increasing costs. For example, the PlayStation 3 famously launched at $599 USD in 2006, a price that was widely panned at the time and often cited as a factor in its slower early sales compared to its competitors. The PlayStation 4, which launched at a much more palatable $399 USD, was seen as a return to form. Now, with the PS5 Pro’s $699.99 USD price tag, many are left questioning whether the added performance justifies the financial leap?
Social Media Reacts: A Mixed Reception
The reaction to the PlayStation 5 Pro pricing has been mixed, to say the least. Social media platforms are rife with comments ranging from excitement over the upgraded specs to frustration over the console’s affordability. Many gamers have expressed disappointment, feeling that the cost of upgrading to the Pro may be too prohibitive, especially for those who already invested in the original PS5. Some have even suggested Sony is veering into premium pricing territory – like that of Apple – which may alienate budget-conscious players.
Critics argue that while the PS5 Pro’s enhancements are impressive, they do not necessarily translate into a must-have upgrade for the average gamer. This is very much a logical discussion point. Most of the time the “latest and greatest” is not a necessity, despite it being a thoughtful ‘want’. This point was driven home even further with the absolutely dismal announcement video with PlayStation 5 lead architect Mark Cerny – where a majority of titles used to show off the system were from the PlayStation 4 era.
With the vast majority of upcoming games still fully playable on the standard PS5, and many of the upgrades focussing more on frame rate instead of pure graphical fidelity; the Pro’s appeal will undoubtedly cater more to hardcore enthusiasts who simply want “the best console experience”.
A Premium Console for a Premium Price
It is clear the PlayStation 5 Pro will obviously provide the best and most premium console experience when it launches – by virtue of having the newest hardware. However, with its premium price point, it is also clear the PS5 Pro is not aimed at everyone. For those willing to pay for the best possible console hardware, it promises an unmatched experience — but for many, the original PS5 may continue to remain as ‘good enough’ and the more sensible choice for the near future.
As the November release date approaches, it will be interesting to see how gamers ultimately respond to the PS5 Pro. Will the allure of enhanced graphics and faster gameplay be enough to justify the expense? Or will the console’s high price tag prove to be a stumbling block limiting its success?
Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
- Hans Haupthttps://vamers.com/author/hanshaupt/
