PS5 Pro launches on November 7, 2024

Sony has officially unveiled the PlayStation 5 Pro, a highly anticipated upgrade to the PS5, which will be available starting November 7 at a price of $699.99 / £699.99 / €799.99 / ¥119,980. This new console iteration promises significant performance enhancements that aim to elevate the gaming experience to new heights, building on the strengths of the original PS5.

In a detailed presentation by lead architect Mark Cerny, Sony highlighted the major technical improvements that distinguish the PS5 Pro from its predecessor. Chief among these upgrades is a more powerful graphics processing unit (GPU), which promises to deliver 45% faster rendering capabilities. This enhanced GPU is paired with advanced ray tracing technology, allowing for more realistic lighting effects, shadows, and reflections in games. Additionally, the PS5 Pro introduces AI-driven upscaling, branded as PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), which uses machine learning to analyze and enhance game images on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The result is sharper, more detailed visuals with resolutions boosted significantly for a smoother, more immersive experience.

The PS5 Pro will come equipped with a 2TB solid-state drive (SSD), providing significantly more storage than the base PS5 model. This allows for more efficient storage of large next-generation games, ensuring faster load times and smoother performance overall. The console also includes cutting-edge features like Wi-Fi 7 support, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and the ability to output games at 8K resolution, making it future-proof for both online connectivity and display technology.

One of the main goals for the PS5 Pro is to bridge the gap between fidelity mode and performance mode, which are options players currently have to choose between in most first-party PS5 titles. Fidelity mode offers higher graphical detail but at 30 frames per second (fps), while performance mode lowers detail to achieve 60 fps. According to Cerny, around 75% of PlayStation users opt for performance mode, so Sony is prioritizing the removal of this trade-off in future games by delivering detailed graphics at 60 fps as a standard.

Several popular titles are already being optimized to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s hardware capabilities. These include first-party games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Gran Turismo 7. Third-party titles such as Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Hogwarts Legacy are also confirmed to benefit from the enhanced performance.

Although leaks about the PS5 Pro’s technical specifications surfaced earlier this year, some analysts, like contributing editor Rob Fahey, have raised concerns about whether this new model will be as easy to market as the PS4 Pro. However, with its substantial hardware upgrades, Sony is positioning the PS5 Pro as a powerful choice for gamers seeking cutting-edge technology and exceptional performance.