The PlayStation 5 has been out for a couple of years now, having launched in November 2020. During those four years, rumours have been circulating about a Pro version of the console for a while.
Now, the wait is over. Sony has revealed many details about its most powerful console ever, with a rather eye-watering price tag. Here’s everything you need to know about the PS5 Pro.
When will the PlayStation 5 Pro be released?
Online speculation predicted that the new console would launch this year, and those rumblings proved to be correct.
Sony unveiled all the details about the new console on 10 September 2024 and will open pre-orders on 26 September 2024. The PS5 Pro will then officially launch on 7 November 2024.
A 2024 launch fits the pattern Sony established with the PS4. The console was first introduced back in 2013, with the Pro model following on three years later in 2016. This makes the 2024 window in keeping with the PS5’s 2020 launch.
How much will the PS5 Pro cost?
Predictions suggested a more premium price tag for the PS5 Pro, but the number is higher than some expectations. Sony has confirmed that the new PlayStation 5 Pro will cost $699.99/£699.99.
Not only that, but it doesn’t come with a disk drive. If you want to purchase one, it’ll set you back an additional $79.99/£99.99. The vertical stand also isn’t included – that’ll cost $29.99/£24.99. If you buy both, you’re looking at a total of nearly $810/£825.
For reference, the PS5 comes with a ticket price of $499/£449/€499 for the standard edition or $399/£359/€399 for the digital one (no physical disc drive). That means there is a $300/£350 price gap between the entry-level console and the most premium option, and that’s not even including the accessories.
To see how the two standard models compare, read our PlayStation 5 Standard vs PlayStation 5 Digital article.
What specs and features does the PS5 Pro have?
The key differences between the standard PlayStation 5 and the new Pro console were detailed in the PlayStation Technical Presentation with the Lead Architect on the new gaming console, Mark Cerny. You can watch that below:
We’ve broken down all the key talking points for ease.
Design
The PS5 Pro shares the same design language as other consoles, with a few twists.
It’s the same height as the regular PS5 when it first launched, but as thin as the Slim version of the console. You can see how it compares to the latter below:
It also has a brand-new set of black stripes through the middle, differentiating it from others in the line. As mentioned above, that size doesn’t come with a disc drive or vertical stand.
Thankfully, a DualSense controller is included as standard, and users get a free copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed.
Performance and Graphics
The upgrades in performance and graphics will be the main reason gamers buy this console, as it allows for Fidelity level graphics at Performance level frame rates.
The upgraded GPU makes the console 45 percent faster than the current PS5 – this is made up of 67 percent more Compute Units, and 28 percent faster memory.
Boosts in ray tracing allows for more dynamic reflection and refraction of light, which can be up to three times faster than those on the PS5.
PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution is an AI upscaling feature that adds more detail and sharper lines via machine learning. PS5 Pro Game Boost also boosts the performance of both PS5 and PS4 games, and will even be able to improve the resolution on select last-generation titles.
Several titles will have a software update to improve their quality when the console launches.
In select territories, the console will support Wi-Fi 7, and it’ll also support VRR and 8K resolutions. No confirmation on the CPU was given, but it will allegedly be able to run at a higher rate according to TechRadar gaming.
Storage
As you might expect, the hard drive on the PS5 Pro is significantly bigger than the ones on the PS5 and PS5 Slim. You get a 2TB SSD – the regular console has 825GB, while the Slim has 1TB.
Until the PS5 Pro hits shelves, be sure to read our guides to the best PlayStation 5 games, where to buy a PlayStation 5, as well as our roundup of the best games consoles to ensure that you’ll always have something to play.
