Sony has finally announced its latest addition to its PlayStation 5 console lineup with the PS5 Pro, which brings some new hardware upgrades to its premium gaming hardware line. The Japanese electronics and gaming giant is no stranger to launching multiple variants of a single console, as seen with the PS4 Pro and even a number of variants of the original PlayStation from the mid-90s. Sony announced the PS5 Pro via an online event as well as its social media channels.
With all the hardware upgrades aside though, one of the first things that people will notice about the PS5 Pro is its more expensive starting price, which comes in with a rather hefty £699 price tag. By comparison, the most affordable model is the PS5 slim digital edition, priced at just £389. That being said, is the PS5 Pro a worthwhile purchase, or will you get by with just the standard models?
Of course the biggest changes with the PS5 Pro are the internals, which Sony claims are enough to justify the “Pro” moniker. Inside the console you’ll find a newer GPU that’s capable of up to 67% more Compute Units, in addition to 28% faster memory. Sony says that this allows the console to handle 45% faster rendering tasks for an overall smoother gameplay experience. Also present is ray tracing, one of the biggest graphical advancements that we’ve seen in the gaming industry in recent years and adds improved lighting effects for games running on the PS5 Pro.
Another recent tech trend to make its way into the PS5 is the addition of AI. You’re probably tired of hearing the word at this point, although Sony says that it’s using AI-enabled upscaling for improved visuals. This essentially means that lower resolution titles will look better when running on the console. in addition to this, the PS5 Pro also comes with “Other enhancements include PS5 Pro “Game Boost” which supposedly improves performance for compatible PS4 games, in addition to improved visual image quality for a number of PS4 titles, 8K-resolution support, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.
Sony has also listed a number of games which will be able to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s new hardware, including Alan Wake 2, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Demon’s Souls, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Gran Turismo 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, The Crew Motorfest, The First Descendant, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and a whole lot more which will be announced soon.
Perhaps another key element to the PS5 Pro is its slightly redesigned exterior. You still get the signature minimalist monolith look as on the original PS5, although we do get some additional trim this time around the console’s waistline. It will be compatible with interchangeable covers, so you’ll still be able to customize the Pro if you’re into that kind of thing. Speaking of compatibility, it will also work with pre-existing PlayStation companion products such as the PS Portal, PS VR hardware, and comes in a digital-only version.
With all that said, the PS5 Pro is by no means cheap, although Sony’s hardware upgrades are somewhat tempting, especially if you’re after the latest, most high-end hardware that the manufacturer offers. With that in mind though, you don’t actually need all the bells and whistles of the Pro model, if all you’re after is a device to enjoy Sony’s rich catalogue of games.
