Sony’s PS5 was a monumental leap forward in console gaming when it arrived in 2020, setting new standards for performance, visuals, and immersion. However, even with the stunning capabilities of the original system, there was always a sense that there was more potential to unlock—especially for the most dedicated gamers. Enter the PS5 Pro, the much-anticipated powerhouse that pushes the envelope even further. But is this new iteration of the PS5 worth the hefty €799 price tag? Let’s dive in.
The Pro Audience
Before we even crack open the specs, it’s essential to understand who the PS5 Pro is truly designed for. The marketing is clear: “deeply engaged players and game creators.” This isn’t a console for casual gamers who are more than happy with their regular PS5.
Sony has crafted this system with the most passionate players in mind—those who demand nothing less than the best visual fidelity and performance from a home console machine. The price, at €799, reflects that ambition. The PS5 Pro is a luxury item, intended for those who want to experience console gaming at its very best.
Hardware Upgrades: The Big Three
The PS5 Pro is built on the foundation of its predecessor, so you can expect very similar hardware in terms of the input/output options and ports physically on the device. One noticeable and definitely welcomed upgrade is the inclusion of a 2TB SSD drive, over twice the storage of the original PS5 when it launched. It must also be flagged that, there is only one model type for the new PS5 Pro and that is the ‘disc-less’ version, meaning you can’t pick one up with the attachable 4K Blu-Ray disc drive in the box unfortunately.
Admittedly, we would have liked to have seen the disc drive included in what is already quite a steep price point and, as of the time of writing, the standalone disc drives themselves are impossible to come by so, if you PS5 collection of games is purely physical, you’re going to want to ensure you pick yourself up one of the attachable disc drives, otherwise you won’t be able to play your titles. The metallic stand also doesn’t come included so, if you’re looking to stand the console vertically, you’ll need to pick this up as well.
When it comes to the internals though, this is where things are taken up a notch, in three critical areas, and lead to a noticeably better gaming experience: the upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling.
1. Upgraded GPU
One of the standout features of the PS5 Pro is its significantly upgraded GPU. With 67% more Compute Units and 28% faster memory than the standard PS5, this console offers a substantial performance boost. The result? Up to 45% faster gameplay rendering, which translates to smoother, more responsive performance in graphically intense games.
For gamers playing at 4K, this is a game-changer. The Pro can handle higher frame rates without sacrificing visual quality, making the gaming experience more fluid and immersive. Working through some titles which have been patched for the new console like Horizon Forbidden West or Spider-Man 2, the improvement is instantly noticeable. The jump in performance is not just about numbers—it’s about feeling the difference during more intense gaming moments, where smoothness can make all the difference.
Firing up Spider-Man 2 and switching over to the new ‘Pro Performance’ mode, I’m now able to get those ‘4K’ like visuals at 60FPS with raytracing reflections included also. Now, Spider-Man 2 on the regular PS5 is still a stunning looking game but gamers had to make some compromises when choosing between higher framerates or pixel counts. With the PS5 Pro, Sony, and developers like Insomniac who have already worked to patch their existing titles, are offering the best of both worlds to gamers who don’t want to compromise on either option.
We’re obviously not Digital Foundry so weren’t able to ‘pixel-peep’ on certain aspects of the overall visual presentation being offered across a range of Sony’s first party titles but we could definitely appreciate the improved framerates at the much higher visual clarity.
2. Advanced Ray Tracing
Ray tracing has become a hallmark of next-gen visuals and, on the Pro, the presentation is more dynamic, with improvements in reflections and refractions of light that are more realistic than ever before. The Pro’s GPU is capable of rendering rays at double, sometimes even triple, the speed of the base PS5.
This means that games with complex lighting systems look even better. Again, going back to Spider-Man 2 and another Insomniac title, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, whose raytracing capabilities were already impressive, even at 60FPS in their ‘Performance RT’ modes, the Pro just delivers great clarity and sharpness, which just adds to an overall increased level of immersion, all while running at 60FPS and upscaled to 4K (more on that below.)
3. AI-Driven Upscaling
One of the more intriguing features of the PS5 Pro, and the one which will hopefully improve as times goes on, is its AI-driven upscaling technology, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). Leveraging machine learning, just like Nvidia has been doing for a few year’s now with their own DLSS AI upscaling technology, this feature enhances image clarity, sharpens details, and boosts the overall fidelity of visuals. Sony promises an “extraordinary amount of detail,” and it delivers.
Whether you’re playing a native 4K title or a lower-resolution game that gets upscaled to 4K, PSSR makes everything look cleaner and more defined. In motion, the results are especially noticeable in highly detailed scenes where textures and subtle details pop with greater clarity. Playing through The Last of Us: Part II with its Pro patch installed, the visual clarity delivered by PSSR, while running at 60FPS, really showcases what the tech is capable of. When paired with the upgraded GPU and advanced ray tracing, is really does looks extremely impressive, especially on a large OLED panel capable of delivering all the HDMI 2.1 features such as variable refresh rate (VRR) for example.
When you combine these three key upgrades, the result is a machine that can push the boundaries of what a home console is capable of. The PS5 Pro is not just about higher frame rates or better graphics—it’s about maintaining a consistent, ultra-smooth performance while offering an eye-popping visual experience.
In practice, games that run at 60fps on the regular PS5 now run even smoother on the Pro, while titles that push 120fps now feel even more responsive. The most demanding games, like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart perform exceptionally well on the Pro, showing off everything from high-quality textures to fluid animations without missing a beat.
PS5 Pro Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro is available now from Smyths, Currys, Harvey Norman and a number of other electronic retailers and the €799 price tag will undoubtedly raise eyebrows. While the Pro’s upgrades are impressive, they’re incremental—this isn’t a revolutionary leap like the jump from the PS4 to PS5. The base PS5 already offers impressive performance, and the Pro’s enhancements will be most appreciated by those who care deeply about gaming performance and visuals. For casual gamers, the base PS5 is more than enough.
However, for the dedicated few who want the best of the best, the PS5 Pro is a justified splurge. It’s a niche product, aimed at a niche audience, but one that delivers on its promises of enhanced performance, stunning visuals, and cutting-edge technology.
Conclusion
With its upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling, the PS5 Pro delivers an unparalleled experience for serious console gamers. But with a premium price tag, it’s clear that this isn’t a console for everyone. If you’re already content with the regular PS5 or if you’re a more casual gamer, the Pro may not offer enough of a difference to justify the upgrade. But for the hardcore PlayStation fan, the PS5 Pro represents the pinnacle of home console gaming, and it’s worth every cent.
REVIEW: PlayStation 5 Pro
- Overall
Summary
It’s a niche product, aimed at a niche audience, but one that delivers on its promises of enhanced performance, stunning visuals, and cutting-edge technology.
