PS5 Pro vs PS5: How Does the Upgraded PlayStation 5 Compare?

The PS5 Pro vs PS5 conversation needs to be had. If you’re an existing PS5 user,  you won’t want to splash on a device that may not offer much more performance or significant changes. Similarly, if you’re an older generation (PS3 / PS4) owner looking to choose between the two, you’ll want to make the most of your money.

Here, we’ll examine each system’s specs and price and all the other important contexts. Once the PlayStation 5 Pro vs. PlayStation 5 question is addressed, you can get the console you need and focus on gaming.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Release Date
3. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Price
4. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Specs
5. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Value
6. Should you upgrade to a PS5 Pro?
7. The Bottom Line
8. FAQs
9. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Release Date
3. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Price
Show Full Guide
4. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Specs
5. PS5 Pro vs PS5 Value
6. Should you upgrade to a PS5 Pro?
7. The Bottom Line
8. FAQs
9. References

PS5 Pro vs PS5 Release Date

When comparing the PS5 Pro vs PS5, the release date for each system is important to consider. With the original PS5 released in November 2020, there’s a four-year gap between then and the PS5 Pro release date of November 7, 2024. A lot can change in four years, but has it? And does a four-year wait for an upgrade justify buying it?

While the PS5 Pro will certainly offer some improvements, it’s called the PS5 Pro and is not the PS6 – rumored to arrive in 2027 or 2028. So, instead of a complete overhaul of capabilities, the PS5 Pro will advance the existing specifications of the PS5 stable alongside the already lightweight and trimmed-down PS5 Slim version.

If you’re a new gamer coming to the PS5 family, a four-year skip from PS5 to PS5 Pro may not matter. You may opt for the more expensive and better-kitted Pro or get the non-Pro for cheaper. However, whether you own a PS5 or not, the release timing of the PS5 Pro is important.

Do you want to spend more on a new version of what already exists?

PS5 Pro vs PS5 Price

Let’s start with the numbers. The original PS5 price was $499 (it was available for $450 at the time of writing), and the PS5 Pro price is $699. That’s a huge difference for a console that isn’t new. That’s understandably caused quite a bit of noise, but there are two elements here.

The first is that the PS5 Pro’s price is what it is because Sony is a business. The original PS5 is the most profitable system Sony has ever produced. And while consoles are initially sold at a loss, the PS5 bucked that trend by August 2021 and became profitable just nine months after it launched (via The Verge). Sony knows it can sell PS5s for profit relatively quickly. And with a ‘PS6’ likely at least three years away, there’s a bit of a gap.

Of course, technology is changing rapidly and the longest seven-year wait between PlayStation consoles (PS3 to PS4) seems a long time to wait for a new Sony console. Factor in the potential for global economic costs in production, and new technology, and releasing a PS5 Pro at $699 in 2024 makes business sense.

But does it make sense for gamers? The quick answer if you’re looking to buy a low-cost PS5 is most likely “no”. Yet there are reasons why it could be a “yes”, and they become a bit clearer when we look at the PS5 Pro specs.

PS5 Pro vs PS5 Specs

Now if you’re considering a PS5 Pro pre-order, this is key information. The specs table above shows the PS5 model differences but also some unknowns. We’ll start with the clear differences first.

The PS5 Pro specs show that the internal storage is doubled compared to the Slim and more than doubled compared to the original PS5. 2TB is undoubtedly a good amount of storage space and will allow gamers to store a lot more, so this is good.

A second point of difference is the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7. Honestly, we’re some time away from Wi-Fi 7 being common or commonly utilized in home networks. But you’d expect new devices to include it, and new technology always comes at a cost.

The third and fourth key points of difference, which are negative when considering the original PS5 Pro vs PS5, is that any PS5 Pro disc drive needs to be purchased separately. As does a PS5 Pro stand. So that adds an extra $79.99 (disc drive) and $29.99 (stand) to the $699.99 price – a total of $809.97 if you were to buy the Pro, a disc drive, and a stand.

Now let’s turn to the three areas of performance that may make the PS5 Pro make sense to some in any PS5 Pro vs PS5 conversation: the CPU, GPU, and RAM. It appears the PS5 Pro uses the same CPU as previous models and, as pointed out by Digital Foundry, a new CPU would have caused more problems and added costs that Sony didn’t need.

Even more important graphics are the focus of PS5 Pro’s specs improvements, with Sony looking to eliminate the Fidelity Mode versus Performance Mode quandary. A new GPU solution is the clearest way forward, and this may be an “underclocked’ 7800 XT,” which would certainly deliver (via PC Guide).

If true, this would be an excellent RDNA 3 offering, capable of a potentially huge performance boost over the RDNA 2 solution in the PS5. It would also justify a lot of the extra cost. Rounding out the hardware specs here, the RAM of the PS5 Pro is unknown and yet to be confirmed.

PS5 Pro vs PS5 Value

Bearing all of the above in mind, how does the PS5 Pro vs. PS5 value conversation end up? It’s always a personal call because value is an objective construct. However, if you’re looking to just play PS5 games, you’re happy making a call on Fidelity vs. Performance Modes for titles, you don’t want an extra 1TB of storage, and you do not feel you want Wi-Fi 7, the PS5 will offer better value for general gaming.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to worry about changing settings between triple-A and indie titles and want the latest WiFi technology, extra storage, and the best PS5 graphics capabilities, you may feel that $699.99 is worth it. It is also likely that it will be at least three years before a ‘PS6’ is nearly ready. However, the lack of a stand and disc drive, adding $100 to the price, isn’t great for the value of the PS5 Pro.

Should you upgrade to a PS5 Pro?

Whether you should upgrade to a PS5 Pro comes down to a regular consideration in gaming: dollars spent per enjoyment hour. Given its MSRP, we’ve previously argued that the PS5 Pro may convert people into PC gamers.

If you intend to spend several years playing a PS5 Pro daily and think the potential performance improvements are worth it, then upgrading may be for you. This is especially true if you often buy or enjoy triple-A games because you’ll see the biggest improvement here.

However, if you’re not concerned with performance considerations and have no desire for the additional improvements the PS5 Pro brings, then the answer may be no. Ultimately the cost of the PS5 Pro may be prohibitive anyway, and you won’t be missing out on games if you don’t upgrade.

The Bottom Line

The debate over PS5 Pro vs. PS5 ultimately comes down to your use case. If you want the best possible console performance regardless of the asking price, then the former system will suffice. However, if you’re more of a casual gamer happy with the current level of performance from the best PS5 games, the upgrade may not be worthwhile.

FAQs