Sony has finally lifted the curtain on one of the worst-kept secrets in gaming – the PlayStation 5 Pro. Priced at $699/£699/€799, the new console is set to launch this November without a disc drive, cementing its status as a fully digital experience.
Mark Cerny, the lead architect behind the PS5, officially announced the mid-generation refresh during a PS5 Technical Presentation. He emphasized the PS5 Pro’s ability to deliver the high frame rates players crave, thanks to significant hardware upgrades. According to Cerny, the new model features a much larger GPU, improved ray tracing, and custom hardware designed for machine learning – dubbed PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution.
In terms of design, the PS5 Pro aligns closely with the leaks and rumors that have been circulating online. It looks similar to the PS5 Slim but with added stripes along the sides. A slideshow of official images has already been released, giving fans a closer look at the new console’s aesthetic.
Key Hardware Upgrades Include:
- Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units and 28% faster memory compared to the original PS5. This upgrade results in up to 45% faster rendering for smoother gameplay, making a noticeable difference in performance, especially with demanding titles.
- Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing technology has been further refined, offering more realistic light reflection and refraction. The PS5 Pro can now cast rays at double or even triple the speed of the original PS5, enhancing the overall visual fidelity of games.
- AI-Driven Upscaling: Sony introduces PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology. This feature uses machine learning to sharpen image clarity, adding extra detail to every frame and providing a crisper visual experience.
Sony confirmed the PS5 Pro’s price at $699.99 in the U.S., £699.99 in the UK, €799.99 in Europe, and ¥119,980 in Japan. The console comes with a 2TB SSD for ample storage, a DualSense wireless controller, and a pre-installed copy of Astro’s Playroom. However, the vertical stand will be sold separately. Fans had… mixed thoughts about this.
The PS5 Pro is exclusively a disc-less model, with an option to purchase the current PS5 disc drive separately. Additionally, the console launches with Wi-Fi 7 support for regions that have adopted the standard, ensuring faster and more stable wireless connections.
Games and Features on PS5 Pro:
Sony has introduced a ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’ tag for games that fully utilize the new console’s upgraded capabilities. Some of the major titles confirmed to receive this treatment 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, and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered.
As with previous mid-generation upgrades, all games playable on the standard PS5 will also work on the PS5 Pro. Both consoles share the same user interface and online services for multiplayer gaming, so the experience remains seamless between the two.
The PS5 Pro also includes a feature called “PS5 Pro Game Boost,” which offers performance enhancements for over 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 games. According to Sony, this feature can stabilize frame rates or improve overall performance in select PS4 and PS5 games. Additionally, an “Enhanced Image Quality” mode is available to improve the resolution of certain PS4 titles.
Pre-Orders and Availability:
The PS5 Pro will be available at major retailers and directly through Sony’s online store at direct.playstation.com. Pre-orders are set to begin on September 26, 2024, with the official launch date scheduled for November 7, 2024. For those looking to upgrade their current PS5 setup or jump into Sony’s latest and greatest, the PS5 Pro offers a tempting proposition with its cutting-edge features and future-proofed hardware.
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