PS5 Pro: what can we expect?

PS5 Pro: what can we expect?

There will likely be a PS5 Pro at some point in the future, but the question is, what can we expect from a more powerful PlayStation 5?

Sony kicked off the trend of releasing mid-generation home console upgrades during the PlayStation 4 generation with the PS4 Pro in 2016, a more advanced system capable of 4K visuals and higher frame rates, a first for home consoles. Microsoft followed suit with its own mid-gen refresh a year later, the Xbox One X. Like the PS4 Pro, the Xbox One X outperformed the original Xbox One in almost every department.

Nintendo has always been in the habit of releasing updated hardware over the course of a console generation, though the company tends to refine an existing design rather than create something more powerful. The Nintendo DSi, New Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch OLED are all good examples of Nintendo making improvements to its original hardware, but not revising the technical specifications to any notable degree.

So the PS5 just had its year and a half anniversary on sale, but that doesn't mean Sony doesn't plan on releasing a more capable model in the coming years. At this point, though, it's unclear exactly what a PS5 Pro could improve on - we haven't seen 8K resolution support on PlayStation 5 yet, and we'll have to wait for a PS5 Slim if we do. console.

Still, it's always fun to speculate and piece together all the rumours, so delving into the possibility of a PS5 Pro, we'll be making a few predictions along the way.

PS5 Pro price and release date

Edición de disco de PS5

(Image credit: Mr. Mikla / Shutterstock)

We can make an educated guess of the PS5 Pro release date with its price, based on what Sony has done with PS4 Pro.

The PS4 Pro launched in 2016, three years after the original PS4 launched. That means we could see a PS5 Pro launch as early as 2023, and then when PS5 launches in November 2020. However, the Covid-19 pandemic and continued component shortages could push the PS5 Pro launch forward. well into 2024 or beyond.

In terms of price, the PS4 Pro launched at the same price as the original PS4, which was $399/£349. We recently saw the PS5 see a price hike, with Sony blaming skyrocketing inflation around the world, so the PS5 currently costs $479.99 / £549.99 / AU$799.95. It's likely that Sony can offer the PS5 Pro at the same price, assuming it follows the same strategy as the PS4 Pro.

PS5 Pro Design

PlayStation 5 con su mando junto a un televisor

(Image credit: future)

The PS5 is already a gigantic machine, which means that unless Sony can make some drastic improvements, a PS5 Pro could match or even exceed the size of a regular PlayStation 5. A similar situation occurred with the PS4 Pro, which was larger than the original PlayStation. 4 by some margin.

Fortunately, a PS5 Slim will likely be available around the same time for those who really want a smaller system. We envision that, like the PlayStation 4 Pro, Sony's design will build on the console's existing futuristic look, but could include some additional flourishes not present on the current system.

PS5 Pro Specifications

Primer plano de una consola PS5 y un controlador Dualsense

(Photo credit: Sony)

This is where things get much harder to predict. The PS5 is already an enormously powerful console, capable of 4K 120Hz gaming on specific titles, ray tracing, and generally beautiful visuals across the board. A PS5 Pro would certainly help developers achieve even higher resolutions and frame rates, but it's unlikely to represent a tangible leap as we've seen it go from 1080p to 4K.

However, with the PS5 still unable to play games at 8K, despite the feature advertised on the console's box, perhaps the PS5 Pro will aim for the next-gen resolution standard. We already saw a game, The Touryst, that runs at 8K/60fps on PS5, but now you can only watch it at 4K.

8K isn't mainstream right now, but three years from now, 8K panels will probably be more affordable and accessible to half-hearted consumers. Let's not forget that Sony also makes TVs, and the Japanese company might want to use the PS5 Pro to boost sales of its 8K TVs, in the same way that the PS3 helped win the disc format war with Blu-Ray.

The PS5 Pro may have an AMD Zen 4 processor and RDNA-3 GPU, but we've seen that Microsoft and Sony have decided to go with a slightly upgraded version of the Xbox One and PS4 processors in their updated models. Therefore, we expect to see more investment in GPUs than CPUs with PS5 Pro.

PS5 Pro: what else could it offer?

We expect the PS5 Pro to also pack a larger SSD than the original PS5, as 825GB wasn't exactly a generous amount to begin with, and some games have sizable file sizes. A 1TB version would certainly help add more value, and we hope the ability to fit one of PS5's best SSDs remains.

And a PS5 Pro Digital Edition? Will Sony also release a version without a disc drive? Maybe not. The PS5 Digital Edition serves as a cheaper alternative to the PS5 for those who are happy to do without it, but releasing two versions of the PS5 Pro, which certainly won't appeal to everyone, would probably be a bit frivolous. .

Do we need a PS5 Pro?

Technically, no, but in two or three years we could see developers hit more hurdles due to aging PS5 hardware causing noticeable compromises in games, like lower frame rates or resolutions. A PS5 Pro could reinvigorate many older games if they were improved like we saw on the PS4 Pro, and the added power should ensure that newer titles don't lag behind either.

Should I wait for a PS5 Pro or just buy a PS5?

You'll always get a better deal if you wait, it's just the nature of technology. However, the PS5 is a great console that has some great games you can play right now. Yes, a PlayStation 5 Pro will be able to provide a better overall experience, but just think of the fun you'll be missing out on waiting.

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