The PlayStation 5 Pro brings some exciting upgrades, but is it really worth the steep price when the original PlayStation 5 still performs exceptionally well?
Sony has officially revealed the PlayStation 5 Pro, promising a slew of impressive new features aimed at enhancing the gaming experience. With an increased price tag to match its upgraded hardware, this console seems to be a powerhouse on paper. But before you jump into buying one, it’s important to take a closer look at what the upgrades really offer and whether they justify the extra cost.
RELATED: Will Sony Relaunch Concord Again in 2025?
Sony’s headline upgrade is a 67% increase in GPU performance, which allows for smoother gameplay and improved visuals. While that may sound promising, the reality is that for most gamers, this won’t translate into a drastically different experience. The current PlayStation 5 already handles most games at a respectable frame rate with decent graphical fidelity, and the bump to 60 FPS with ray tracing on the Pro doesn’t provide enough of a leap to make the price hike worthwhile.
The 2TB SSD is a nice improvement, especially for players who find themselves running out of space due to large game file sizes. However, with external SSDs available for much cheaper, this storage boost doesn’t feel essential when compared to the costs of upgrading to the Pro model. This particular upgrade is more about convenience than necessity.
One of the more talked-about additions is the inclusion of AI upscaling, designed to make games look sharper, particularly on large screens. While AI upscaling can make a visual difference, it’s something that’s really only noticeable on larger televisions, not the smaller monitors many gamers use. If you’re gaming on a regular-sized TV or a monitor, the effect may be minimal.
Another big feature Sony is pushing is ray tracing acceleration. This technology certainly improves lighting and reflections in games, but it comes with its own set of trade-offs. Competitive players, particularly in games like Call of Duty or Fortnite, often disable ray tracing to ensure smoother gameplay and higher frame rates. While the Pro makes it easier to have both, the difference in experience isn’t groundbreaking.
What Does All This Mean?
The PlayStation 5 Pro’s upgrades essentially aim to merge the Performance and Graphics modes found on the current PlayStation 5, allowing you to get the best of both worlds—good graphics and solid frame rates—without having to switch modes. This is great in theory, but in practice, many of the games showcased during the announcement struggled to maintain 60 FPS even with these enhancements. It begs the question of whether this compromise is worth the hefty price tag.
Most gamers won’t fully benefit from the PS5 Pro’s ability to push beyond 120 FPS, especially since many TVs can’t even those refresh rates. Even gaming monitors, which are more likely to have higher refresh rates, tend to be smaller, making the visual upgrades less noticeable. For those who are truly concerned about performance and frame rates, investing in a high-end PC might be a more practical solution.
PC gamers often opt for lower graphical settings to achieve the smoothest gameplay experience. Frame rates and responsiveness often outweigh the visual appeal of ray tracing or ultra-high graphics settings. The PS5 Pro might improve graphics, but for those who value gameplay experience over looks, the original PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X will suffice.
While it’s true that the PS5 Pro could hit 165 or even 240 FPS under optimal conditions, those frame rates are rarely necessary for console gaming. The current-gen PlayStation 5 is already capable of delivering up to 120 FPS in competitive games, so the Pro’s extra power might go underutilized for most players.
At a price point of $700 USD (that’s about AUD$1300 without a disc drive or a stand), you’re entering a territory where upgrading your PC becomes a very real and appealing option. A mid-tier PC equipped with an Xbox Game , the value of a PC gaming setup significantly increases when compared to the closed ecosystem of the PlayStation.
The only scenario where upgrading to the PlayStation 5 Pro makes sense is if Sony offers an irresistible trade-in deal. A trade-in option where you could the Pro for an extra AUD $300, for example, might make it worth considering. But even then, you’d still end up paying more than what you originally paid for your base console. Without a deal like that, the Pro is a hard sell, especially since it’s likely being positioned as the flagship console for the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI release next year.
In conclusion, unless you’re absolutely committed to playing the latest and greatest games at the highest possible settings—and you’re willing to pay a for it—there’s no pressing reason to the PlayStation 5 Pro. Save your money, wait for a trade-in offer, or consider putting that cash towards a PC upgrade.