Sony has finally unveiled its highly anticipated (and leaked) PS5 Pro. This is the most powerful model of the current PS5, and while it doesn't represent a generational leap, it introduces new features that improve the gaming experience compared to the current versions of the console. But what does it offer, and why will it cost €800?
The price of unlimited play
When next-gen consoles hit stores, a surprise came in the form of a new normal (and disappointment). Consoles that promised ray tracing, 4K resolution, and ultra-high frame rates ended up being small promises that were only kept in certain contexts.
For example, playing at 60 FPS with 4K resolution and all the details was something that could not be achieved in the most demanding games, so the console offered two modes to choose from: Fidelity (better graphics with native 4K) or Performance (more FPS with more fluidity and upscaled resolution).
This sparked some controversy (also on Xbox), as the promised 4K 120 FPS generation never materialized . Limited to very simple games, the higher refresh rates were limited in demanding 4K games, and these are precisely the problems the PS5 Pro aims to solve.
The PC Master Race console
Looking at the data Mark Cerny shared at the PlayStation virtual event, it's clear the new console is a significant technical marvel. Being able to play Gran Turismo in 4K at 60 FPS with ray tracing between vehicles requires incredible graphical power, not to mention games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales or The Last of Us Part II , which run at maximum resolution with stunning graphics while generating ray-traced effects.
Isn't this what you wanted? Isn't this what high-end PCs with astronomical budgets offer? Well, this is what you'll get if you pay the €799,99 price tag when it hits the shelves on November 7th.
But there's a rather important detail to mention that was repeated several times during the broadcast: the PS5 Pro experience will be "almost" the same as Fidelity Mode , but with higher frame rates. This leaves us with a slight doubt as to whether we'll truly see all games at maximum resolution and completely smooth, or if, on the contrary, some games will continue to automatically adjust image quality to perform at the expected level.
Great specs
The graphics power of the new console is quite remarkable. The GPU has been enlarged, including 67% more Compute Units , while the RAM speed has been increased by 28%, resulting in a 45% performance boost compared to the standard PS5.
This advancement in the graphics processor will allow for advanced Ray Tracing effects, doubling and even tripling the calculation of ray reflections in all kinds of situations. A specific controller has also been included for scaling with artificial intelligence, which will allow the so-called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution to be created, or in other words, a pixel duplication technique that will allow for increased pixel density to obtain much more definition in the image. However, do these new features justify such a large jump in price?
Is it expensive?
PS5 Pro is here to play the PS5 catalogue without limits, just as you would have imagined from the start of the new generation. The current PS5 will continue to work as well as ever, with the limitation of having to choose between fidelity or performance modes as you see fit, something that will not happen on PS5 Pro.
The PS5 experience will still be just as satisfying, so the most demanding users who have 4K screens at 120 Hz and want to enjoy graphics without any limitations will have to opt for the new model. And for that they will have to pay 800 euros. Does that seem like a lot to you? Then you won't mind playing in performance mode on a regular PS5. That will be the key to the choice.
The controversy of accessories
Of all the issues, the main problem with the PS5 Pro's price isn't what it offers, but what it omits. We're obviously talking about the disc drive, which has unfortunately been left out . You'll have to pay €119,99 to continue using physical media if you still want to stick with it (it's more than obvious they're pushing us towards oblivion), which brings the console's price up to an insulting €920.
But to top it all off, the stand that allows you to position the console in the most common orientation, vertical , isn't included either, forcing us to shell out another €30. In other words, you'll have to pay €950 for even the most basic package. Is that outrageous? It really is.