Sony has officially unveiled the PlayStation 5 Pro, set to hit shelves on November 7, 2024, at a price of $699.99. This enhanced version of the PS5 introduces several significant upgrades designed to push gaming performance further.
PS5 Pro Arrives with Hardware Improvements and New Upscaling Technology
One of the standout improvements is a more robust GPU, delivering up to 45% faster rendering capabilities than the base PS5 model. This is paired with substantial advancements in ray-tracing technology, achieved through a “streamlined and accelerated approach” that allows rays to be calculated at up to triple the speed of its predecessor. Additionally, Sony has incorporated specialized hardware to support machine learning, utilizing an AI system called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This AI-driven feature enhances game visuals by analyzing each pixel in real-time, effectively increasing resolution and visual fidelity.
Mark Cerny, the lead architect behind the PS5, explained that these improvements were driven by developer feedback. With the PS5 Pro, Sony aims to minimize the need for players to choose between performance and graphics modes, a common trade-off in current gaming experiences. According to Cerny, about 75% of players opt for performance over graphics, and the Pro seeks to bridge that gap, providing high-end graphics at smoother frame rates.
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Developers are already preparing updates for existing games. These include titles as *The Last of Us Part II*, *Horizon Forbidden West*, *Gran Turismo 7*, and *Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart*. They will get updates to take full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s power. Cerny emphasized that the console’s enhanced GPU will not only improve resolution. It will also deliver a “sharper and crisper” experience. The distant objects will appear with more detail. Ray-tracing, particularly in graphically demanding titles like *Gran Turismo 7*, will be significantly enhanced. All this without compromising the target of 60 frames per second.
Reflecting on the console’s legacy, Cerny described the PS5 Pro as the most powerful console ever built and a natural evolution in the PlayStation family, designed to meet both developer aspirations and player preferences.
New Launch Comes Right After a Slight Decline in the PS5 Sales
This mid-generation upgrade echoes Sony’s previous strategy, similar to the release of the PlayStation 4 Pro. Competitor Microsoft has also followed this path with its Xbox One X and Xbox One S models. However, the timing of the PS5 Pro launch could be crucial for Sony. Despite selling over 56 million units of the base PS5 by April 2024, sales have begun to slow. The company reported a decline in hardware sales in Q1 FY24, dropping to 2.4 million units from 3.3 million the previous year.
Sony anticipated this downturn, with senior vice president Naomi Matsuoka predicting a slowdown in PS5 sales as the console enters its later lifecycle stages. The company is now focusing more on balancing profitability with unit sales. Whether the PlayStation 5 Pro can reignite interest and bolster hardware sales remains to be seen. However, it marks a pivotal moment in Sony’s strategy. After all, they look to extend the PS5’s relevance in an increasingly competitive market.
