Sony has officially launched the PlayStation 5 Pro, a next-generation console unveiled on Tuesday. Featuring enhanced graphical performance, advanced ray-tracing capabilities, AI-driven image upscaling, and a substantial 2TB SSD, the PS5 Pro is being touted as Sony’s “most advanced and innovative console hardware to date.” Notably, the console does not include a disc drive, but users can purchase a separate drive to attach if desired.
The announcement came during Sony’s Technical Presentation, where Mark Cerny, the lead architect behind the PS5, explained the new features that enhance the gaming experience. Gamers on the standard PS5 currently have to switch between two graphical modes — Fidelity and Performance. The PS5 Pro aims to combine both modes, promising higher frame rates of 60fps while maintaining the superior image quality typically found in Fidelity mode.
The PS5 Pro retains a design similar to the existing PS5
Photo Credit: Sony
Pricing and Availability of PS5 Pro
The advanced features of the PS5 Pro come with a higher price tag. The console will retail for an MSRP of $699.99 (approximately Rs. 58,750), which is $200 more than the $499 PS5 Slim that includes a disc drive. If gamers choose to add the disc drive, the total cost would rise to $780, as the drive is sold separately for $79.99. The PS5 Pro includes a DualSense controller, but the vertical stand must be purchased separately.
Set to launch in select markets on November 7, 2024, the PS5 Pro can be bought through various retailers or directly from PlayStation’s website at direct.playstation.com. Preorders are scheduled to open on September 26. Pricing and availability details for India have yet to be announced. The console will be offered in the familiar black and white color scheme, with Sony indicating that additional color options for console covers will be introduced later.
Features and Upgrades of the PS5 Pro
Sony is highlighting three key performance enhancements in the PS5 Pro aimed at delivering higher fidelity visuals and smoother gameplay at 60fps. Here are the key features included with the $700 console:
Enhanced GPU: The PS5 Pro features a GPU with 67 percent more Compute Units and operates with 28 percent faster memory than the standard PS5. Sony claims these improvements result in up to 45 percent faster rendering during gameplay.
Improved Ray-Tracing Capabilities: While existing PS5 games utilize ray-tracing in Fidelity mode, the PS5 Pro is set to elevate this with even more dynamic ray-tracing features. This includes advancements in light reflection and refraction, with rendering speeds that can double or even triple those of the standard PS5.
Introduction of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution: The PS5 Pro will introduce a new AI upscaling technology called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This feature employs machine learning techniques to enhance image detail, aligning with other upscaling methods available in the market.
A side-by-side comparison of the new PS5 Pro and the PS5 Slim model
Photo Credit: Sony
These features aim to deliver 4K gameplay with performance at 60fps, though actual performance will depend on individual titles. The console will also introduce the PS5 Pro Game Boost, which is designed to enhance over 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 games on the new system. This feature may provide stability or improved performance for overlapping PS4 and PS5 games; however, consistent performance improvements are not guaranteed across all titles. Notably, the PS5 Pro also promises enhanced resolution for select PS4 games and supports Wi-Fi 7 for quicker digital downloads, along with variable refresh rates and 8K gameplay.
Additionally, Sony announced that numerous games will receive free updates to leverage the PS5 Pro’s capabilities. Updated titles will carry a ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’ label. Some of the confirmed first-party and third-party games set to receive enhancements include 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 others.
Regarding its design, while specifics on dimensions have not been revealed, Sony has indicated that the PS5 Pro will match the height of the original PS5 and be slightly taller than the PS5 Slim. The width, however, will remain consistent with that of the digital version of the PS5 Slim.
