Sony has revealed the PlayStation 5 Pro, a more powerful version of its console priced at $700, set to launch in November. The upgrade promises enhanced graphics and performance but omits a disc drive, which costs an extra $80. Early reactions highlight both impressive visuals and concerns over the additional expense.
Sony announced the PlayStation 5 Pro on September 10, positioning it as a midcycle upgrade to the original console. The new model features a graphics processing unit with 67% more compute units than the current PS5, along with 28% faster memory, enabling quicker gameplay rendering and smoother experiences. Advanced ray tracing allows light reflections at double or triple the speeds of the base PS5, while AI-driven upscaling adds detail and lighting effects without demanding excessive power.
The console introduces PS5 Pro Game Boost, which stabilizes or enhances over 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 titles, and Enhanced Image Quality for select PS4 games. It supports Wi-Fi 7 in compatible regions, variable refresh rate (VRR), and 8K gaming. Preorders begin September 26 at $700, with availability starting November 7. Each unit includes a 2TB SSD, DualSense wireless controller, and preinstalled Astro's Playroom, but it is discless by default.
The separate disc drive, previously offered with the PS5 Slim, has become scarce. As of September 17 checks, it was out of stock at the PlayStation store, Walmart, and others, available only in limited forms at retailers like Best Buy and GameStop. Social media discussions suggest scalpers and gamers stockpiling drives to preserve physical collections.
CNET's Scott Stein, after hands-on testing at Sony's headquarters, described it as "a big, graphically boosted piece of hardware that can keep up with ever-changing PCs, and in some ways maybe exceed them." He noted crisp, fluid graphics but questioned if the improvements justify the cost for all users.
The PS5 Pro remains compatible with existing PS5 accessories, including PlayStation VR2 and DualSense Edge. Several titles will receive free patches for enhanced performance, marked with a PS5 Pro Enhanced label: Alan Wake 2, Assassin's Creed: Shadows, Demon's Souls, Dragon's Dogma 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Gran Turismo 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, The Crew Motorfest, The First Descendant, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
This launch aligns with Sony's statement earlier this year that the PS5 is in the latter stage of its life cycle, with rumors indicating a focus on upgrades rather than price cuts for the base model, which starts at $449 without a disc drive.
