by Sony has announced the PlayStation 5 Pro, its most powerful and expensive gaming console yet. While some are excited about it, many seem outraged by the 40 percent price hike. If you’re torn between the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, here’s an in-depth comparison between the two that should help you decide whether you should buy the ‘Pro’ or stick with the regular version.
Design
The newly launched Pro sits at the same height as the original PlayStation 5, with the thickness reduced to PlayStation 5 Slim levels. The new console also comes with a finned design that runs down the middle of the console to make it visually distinctive.
However, one of the biggest differences between the regular PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 Pro is the lack of an optical drive. Another thing to note is that while the PlayStation 5 comes with a vertical stand, the new console does not come with the stand, meaning you will have to shell out a bit more money for both the drive and the stand.
The PlayStation 5 Pro has the same height as the original, but the thickness is the same as the PS5 Slim. (Image source: Sony)
Specifications and performance
Compared to the PlayStation, the PlayStation 5 Pro brings some notable improvements, especially in the performance department. Featuring the Ryzen 2 CPU that made its debut on the original model, the Pro model comes with a 2TB SSD, which is almost double the storage capacity of the PlayStation 5. With video games getting bigger every year, it’s a quality upgrade as users won’t have to worry about running out of storage, at least for a while.
The most notable difference between the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro comes in the graphics department, with the latter featuring a new GPU that offers up to a 45 percent performance increase. This means players will no longer have to sacrifice visual fidelity for framerate.
The extra processing power combined with the recently unveiled AI-powered upscaling technology – PlayStation Super Resolution, or PSSR for short – allows PlayStation 5 Pro gamers to play their favourite games at higher frame rates without sacrificing image quality, with some titles now able to run in 4K at 60 fps.
Another handy feature that the PlayStation 5 Pro brings to the table is ray tracing support. Previously limited to PCs, ray tracing offers lifelike shadows and reflections, making everything on-screen seem a little more realistic. For those wondering, the new console offers improved performance and greater visual fidelity in titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
While the PlayStation 5 supports Wi-Fi 6 networking, the newer console is getting Wi-Fi 7 certification. The new standard can be useful for downloading huge titles to the console’s SSD. However, most people won’t be able to take advantage of this, as most people haven’t yet migrated to the newer Wi-Fi standard.
Sony’s new console also brings some upgrades to the ports. The original PlayStation 5 came with one USB-C and three USB-A ports, while the Pro has three USB-C ports and one USB-A port on the back.
PlayStation 5 vs PlayStation 5 Pro: Should You Buy The New Console?
Compared to the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation 5 Pro brings some notable upgrades, particularly in the graphics department. If you’re looking for a console that can run AAA titles at 4K 60fps without sacrificing visual fidelity, and you don’t mind the lack of an optical drive, then the PlayStation 5 Pro may be a good buy given its $700 price tag. However, the PlayStation 5 is still a solid choice for those who want to play the latest games and don’t mind lower framerates and reduced visual fidelity.
Sony hasn’t yet revealed how much the PlayStation 5 Pro will cost in India, but the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, which ships without an optical drive, can be purchased for INR 44,990.
