PS5 Pro Compared to PS5: The Ultimate Comparison Guide

The PS5 Pro has arrived, promising a significant leap in visual fidelity and performance over the standard PS5, positioning itself as the definitive PlayStation gaming experience – but this upgrade comes at a premium price.

PS5 Pro: The Upsides

• Noticeable performance and visual enhancements compared to the PS5.
• PSSR upscaling technology offers a great balance of visual quality and frame rates.
• Optimized for 120Hz displays for smoother gameplay.
• Generous 2TB of internal storage.
• Upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 for faster connectivity.

PS5 Pro: The Downsides

• Visual upgrades, while impressive, aren’t a complete game-changer.
• No included disc drive or vertical stand, adding to the cost.
• Higher price point impacts its overall value proposition.

PS5: The Strengths

• Still delivers excellent performance and graphics.
• Access to a vast library of top-tier exclusive games.
• Innovative DualSense controller with haptic feedback.

PS5: The Drawbacks

• Original model is physically large and bulky.
• Limited usable storage space on the 825GB/1TB SSD.
• Backward compatibility limited to PS4 titles.

With the PS5 Pro now officially launched and PS5 Pro reviews widely available, the comparison between the Ps5 Pro Compared To Ps5 has become a crucial consideration for gamers.

Many are now weighing their options, trying to understand the real-world differences between Sony’s new powerhouse and the already impressive original PS5.

That’s where we step in. Having had hands-on experience with the PS5 Pro, we’re here to break down the key distinctions between the PS5 Pro and the existing PS5 models, including both the launch version and the more recent PS5 Slim.

From detailed specifications and features to design nuances and price points, we’re dissecting every aspect of the PS5 Pro vs PS5 debate. This comprehensive comparison aims to equip you with all the necessary information to analyze these two consoles and make an informed purchase decision, especially if you are contemplating buying a PS5 Pro.

(Image credit: PlayStation)

PS5 Pro vs PS5: Price and Value Proposition

Price is always a critical factor when considering a console upgrade, especially for mid-generation refreshes. There’s a significant price gap between the PS5 Pro and the standard PS5, even after recent price adjustments on the latter.

To be precise, the PS5 Pro is priced at $699.99 / £699.99. In contrast, the PS5 or PS5 Slim is currently priced at $499.99 / £479.99.

This represents a price increase of $200 / £220 – a substantial 40% to 45% jump. However, the price difference becomes even more pronounced when you consider that the base PS5 Pro model is an all-digital console.

To achieve feature parity with the original disc-based PS5, you would need to purchase the detachable disc drive and the vertical stand separately, pushing the total cost of a comparable PS5 Pro setup to approximately $820 / £825.

This is a considerable investment for a mid-generation upgrade and may be a barrier for budget-conscious gamers.

(Image credit: Sony)

PS5 Pro vs PS5: Spec-by-Spec Performance Breakdown

Now that the PS5 Pro is in the hands of reviewers and soon to be in players’ homes, we have a complete picture of its specifications and how they stack up against the PS5.

The most significant upgrade lies in the GPU. Sony states that the PS5 Pro GPU boasts 67% more compute units than the PS5, coupled with 28% faster memory, resulting in an overall 45% increase in rendering speed.

This is a substantial graphical leap, with the PS5 Pro GPU delivering 16.7 TFLOPs of processing power compared to the base PS5’s 10.28 TFLOPs.

Beyond raw power, the PS5 Pro enhances visual fidelity through advanced ray-tracing capabilities. This allows for more realistic and dynamic lighting, shadows, and reflections, as demonstrated impressively in Gran Turismo 7 during Sony’s technical presentation.

Furthermore, the PS5 Pro introduces PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), an AI-driven upscaling technology. PSSR intelligently reconstructs images, filling in missing details to achieve higher levels of clarity and visual quality without compromising frame rates. Unlike the PS5, which relies on in-game software upscaling, PSSR utilizes machine learning for superior results.

Having experienced the PS5 Pro firsthand, PSSR is indeed a game-changer, delivering noticeable visual improvements.

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation)

Alongside a growing list of PS5 Pro enhanced games, the PS5 Pro’s increased processing power also benefits existing PS4 and PS5 games. Similar to the PS4 Pro’s enhancements over the base PS4, many games will see performance boosts simply due to the more powerful hardware.

Adding to this, the “PS5 Pro Game Boost” feature promises to improve the performance, stability, and visual quality (resolution and detail) of over 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 games. However, in initial testing, the extent of these improvements is still being evaluated.

Storage is another area where the PS5 Pro excels. It doubles the internal storage capacity, featuring a 2TB SSD compared to the base PS5’s 825GB SSD or the PS5 Slim’s 1TB. This provides significantly more space for games and media.

Connectivity also receives an upgrade on the PS5 Pro, with the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7. This newer standard offers faster and more stable wireless download speeds and potentially improved online gameplay and remote play experiences, especially when used with devices like the PlayStation Portal.

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation)

PS5 Pro vs PS5: Design and Physical Dimensions

In terms of physical design, the PS5 Pro shares a closer resemblance to the PS5 Slim, maintaining a similar aesthetic language.

The PS5 Pro measures 15.2 x 3.5 x 8.5 inches (388 x 89 x 216mm), making it taller than the Slim but nearly identical in height to the original PS5 launch model. It weighs approximately 6.8lbs (3.1kg), almost the same as the PS5 Slim’s 7.1lbs (3.2kg).

Visually, the PS5 Pro and Slim share sweeping white curves on the top and sides, black panels on the rear and bottom, and a glossy front panel housing the power button and two USB-C ports. A key design differentiator for the Pro is the inclusion of multiple black stripes running through the center of the console.

The design similarities extend to functional compatibility. The disc drive from the PS5 Slim is compatible with the PS5 Pro, and Sony has confirmed that swappable faceplates will also be available for the Pro in the future.

It’s important to reiterate that the base PS5 Pro is an all-digital console, aligning it more closely with the PS5 Slim Digital Edition. Both the disc drive and vertical stand are optional accessories that must be purchased separately for the PS5 Pro.

(Image credit: Sony)

PS5 Pro vs PS5: The Verdict – Which Console is Right for You?

Deciding between the PS5 Pro and the standard PS5 ultimately hinges on your individual needs and priorities.

If you are a dedicated PlayStation enthusiast, seeking the absolute best in console gaming technology, and prioritize both visual fidelity and high performance, then the PS5 Pro is undoubtedly the superior choice.

It’s a premium-priced console, but for those who fit this profile, the PS5 Pro is likely to be a compelling upgrade, offering a tangible step up in gaming experience. This is especially true if you own a 4K 120Hz gaming TV, where the PS5 Pro’s capabilities can be fully realized.

On the other hand, if you are content with the gaming experience offered by the current PS5, are less concerned with marginal graphical improvements, or are operating on a tighter budget, then the regular PS5 remains an excellent and highly recommendable option. It is still a fantastic console that provides access to a vast library of incredible games and experiences.

PS5 Pro

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