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ThePlayStation 5 ProConsole is finally making its way to consumers, and like all console upgrades, it features lots of revisions and shiny new tech alongside it.
More importantly, with this latest upgrade,we’ve been left questioning who this console is being made for and if we should buy one.
With a retailprice of $699, it’s clear Sony went all out to create as much of a behemoth of new technologies as possible. Oh, and for comparison’s sake,the PS4 Pro was only launched at $399, making the PS5 Pro the most expensive PlayStation console to date without inflation.
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While it may be hard to decipher the language behind all the new features and, let’s be honest, some downgrades from the base PS5 model, here’s a guide to help you decide whether you should buy this console and the details about doing so.
Comparing The PlayStation 5 Models
We’ll first unwrap all the changes made from the previous models in this new revision. We’ll cover the technical specs in the following section, but to start, here are the things you’ll find right out of the box.
The PlayStation 5 is visually unique with its set of black slats along the middle, as well as beingtaller than the slim modeland closer to the size of the original. The two most significant physical changes are the lack of a packed-in vertical stand and the absent disk drive.
We don’t quite understand the lack of a vertical stand. It made sense for the slim model, a purposefully minimalist version, but regardless,this will likely be around a $30 extra charge, like for the slim.
Sadly, the missing disk drive is far more egregious for consumers. Like theall-digital versionof the slim model,you can buy a separate disk drive to read physical disks for the PS5 Pro, which costs a whopping $79.
That means that with a vertical stand and a disk drive, which are both included with the base $500 version of the PS5, the Pro equivalent may cost nearly $810, not including taxes.
The PS5 Pro’s New Features
The recent reveal showcased the three major components of the PS5: the larger GPU, more advanced raytracing, and lastly, thePlayStation Spectral Super Resolution(PSSR).
The 67% larger GPU and enhanced ray-tracing do precisely as you would expect:the first upgrades the quality of textures, graphics, lighting, and effects, and the second advances PlayStation’s use of raytracing, noted in Mark Cerny’s presentation as hitting 2–3 times the amount of computed rays.
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The last is the most impressive, as the new addition of PSSR allows for AI resolution upscaling.This is similar to Nvidia’s DLSS technology, but instead of increasing framerates, it improves image quality by analyzing the pixels in every frame.
AsMark Cerny explained, the core goal of these improvements is to bridge the gap betweenperformance and graphics mode. Many games have an option to play at 60fps and lower graphical quality or 30 with higher graphics.
However,this new technology can allow better graphics while still hitting high framerates. It’s a shining accomplishment, as many games nowadays are already beinglimited by the hardwareof the most recent generation, forced to choose between graphics and frame rate.
One last notable addition is a 2TB SSD, which means you’ll likely not need to upgrade your console for additional memory, especially with the rising memory usage of newer games.
To Buy Or Not To Buy
Most major retailers will allow you to buy andpre-order the PlayStation 5 on September 26th, 2024, and it launches on November 7th, but mind you, it’ll likely be hit by waves of queues and bots similar to the original PS5, so if you’re going for it, good luck.
Finally, let’s judge if the PS5 Pro update is worth your money.
A primary complaint is that this is just an upgrade to an already expensive and highly purchased console. For instance, no games will be Pro exclusives; games will only use the new technology to play better.
In addition, manyfans have pointed outthat games likeThe Last of Us Part 2, which showcases the PS5 Pro, are also PS4 games.Maybe getting a $699 consoleto play last-gen gamesisn’t worth it.
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But here’s our stance on who benefits from the PS5 Pro. First, suppose you’re already deeply engrained in the PS5 ecosystem with a PS5 base edition or slim and use services like PlayStation Plus’s Elite or Premium Membership. In that case, the Pro may be for you.
Because the console lacks a disk drive, if you play all your PlayStation games entirely digitally through their online store or subscription service, this purchase will onlybolster your game librarywith better technology.
Secondly, if you haven’t bought a PS5 yet and want to go the extra mile to obtain the most powerful version of the PS5, andlikely the most powerful consoleon the market, thePS5 Pro is for you if you can stomach the $699 asking price.
But that’s mostly it. For instance, in my own case, I got the PS5 just weeks after launch and have been using it as my go-to console. I may play through exclusives likeDemon SoulsandAstro Bot, but I primarily use it as a beefier PS4.
For me, and likely many of you, the PS5 Pro upgrade, especially with the price,won’t be worth itwhen most games can still promise 60fps, albeit with lower graphical fidelity.
Yeah, it’s an excellent showcase of new technology, but still, don’t feel ashamed about sitting this out if you have to.
Overall, even if it’s more of an offering for die-hard fans, we’re still excited about the new technologies and innovations shared with the PS5 Pro.
And ideally, this will create a better landscape for gamers and game developers in the coming years.
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