Sony has just unveiled its most powerful game console yet: the PlayStation 5 Pro. This new model upgrades the PlayStation 5 that was first announced in 2020, offering enhanced performance and features.
Like the PS4 Pro before it, the PS5 Pro is aimed entirely at improving the graphical fidelity of its games, with three key new improvements towards that goal.
The first of this is an upgraded GPU. While it’s still based on the same architecture, the PS5 Pro GPU now features 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory. Sony claims that these changes provide 45% faster rendering of games compared to the PS5.
The other improvement is to hardware accelerated ray tracing. Considering AMD graphics rely on their compute units for ray tracing, the increase in the number of compute units also increases the ray tracing performance. Sony claims the PS5 Pro GPU can cast rays at double or even triple the rate of the PS5 GPU.
Sony also introduced a new AI-driven image upscaling feature called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. Developed in-house, this technology uses AI and machine learning to enhance image resolution. It’s expected to outperform AMD’s software-based FSR and compete with Nvidia’s DLSS and Intel’s XeSS. However, it focuses solely on upscaling and doesn’t include frame generation.
PlayStation-led architect Mark Cerny noted that many players preferred the performance mode on the PS5, which boosted frame rates but compromised image quality. This feedback helped shape the new performance and quality toggle on the PS5 Pro, offering a better balance between visuals and frame rates.
The PS5 Pro aims to combine high image quality with 60FPS, eliminating the need for a performance vs. quality toggle. With upgraded hardware and new upscaling tech, it looks promising, but real-world performance will tell.
Sony showcased the PS5 Pro’s improved performance with various titles, and optimized games will carry a “PS5 Pro Enhanced” label. A new Game Boost feature will upgrade over 8,500 PS4 games, enhancing their resolution and frame rates. The console also supports Wi-Fi 7 where available, VRR, and 8K displays.
The PS5 Pro sports only minor visual updates compared to the standard PS5. It’s taller than the slim model but has the same thickness as the non-Blu-ray PS5. The PS5 Pro doesn’t include an optional optical disc drive—if you need one, you’ll have to buy it separately. However, it comes with 2TB of internal storage, doubling the 1TB of the standard PS5.
Priced at $700, the PS5 Pro is 56% more expensive than the $450 digital PS5. It will be available for purchase on November 7, with pre-orders starting on September 26.
