If the news about the PlayStation 5 Pro has already swayed you, this probably won’t change that. Unlike the substantial upgrade of the PlayStation 4 Pro, the PS5 Pro doesn’t bring the same excitement. While tech enthusiasts may appreciate it, the PS5 Pro presents a more complicated, tougher sell.
The big talking point with the PS5 Pro is the price tag—$700 in the U.S. Adding to this, a disk drive costs an additional $80, and if you’d like the console to stand upright, you’ll pay another $30 for a vertical stand. That brings the total to potentially over $800, not including taxes, with even higher prices in other regions. With such a high price, the question of value is immediate.
Is the PS5 Pro Worth It?
The PS5 Pro does enhance the PlayStation experience, technically making it the best way to play PS games, though mileage will vary. Much of its potential relies on developers patching PS games to leverage the new hardware, so real benefits may take time to show.
Hardware and Design
The PS5 Pro’s design continues the aesthetic of the PS5 Slim from earlier this year. Slimmer but equally tall, the PS5 Pro maintains a similar footprint to the original PS5. Unfortunately, PS5 Pro is incompatible with covers made for previous models. On the plus side, the PS5 Pro offers two terabytes of storage and Wi-Fi 7 support.
Performance: Sound, Heat, and Graphics
Thus far, the PS5 Pro doesn’t produce more heat or noise than the standard PlayStation 5. It runs quietly, with only a slight increase in the sound of air through the vents.
The upgraded GPU and AI-driven upscaling aim to improve the gaming experience with advanced ray tracing, though initial tests show limited differences in visuals. In games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the PlayStation 5 Pro significantly enhances image quality and smoothness. Other titles, such as Spider-Man 2 and Horizon Forbidden West, benefit from higher frame rates and improved resolution.
PS5 Pro Game Boost and Backward Compatibility
PS4 games now have a Game Boost option to improve visual performance, though results vary. Bloodborne shows a minor increase in visual sharpness, while Red Dead Redemption 2 shows little difference. Some PS5 games, like The Last of Us Part II, offer better performance on high-refresh-rate displays, highlighting the PS5 Pro’s capability.
This console aims to deliver high-quality visuals and smooth gameplay, especially for users with high-refresh-rate displays. However, it doesn’t radically transform gaming for standard users. Games like Spider-Man 2 and Horizon Forbidden West show visual improvements, but without extensive patches, most titles won’t fully leverage the PS5 Pro’s hardware. This console stands as an option for gamers prioritizing peak performance and minor graphical upgrades, though it may not yet be essential for all users.
The Target Audience
Ultimately, the PS5 Pro suits tcompetitive console gaming with a high-refresh-rate TV and a significant budget. It technically provides the best PS experience but lacks the excitement of a must-have upgrade. Over time, updated games may showcase the console’s full potential, but it currently appeals most to those seeking cutting-edge performance.
