Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced the release of its highly anticipated mid-generation console upgrade, the PlayStation 5 Pro. Set to launch on November 7, 2024, the PS5 Pro will retail for $699.99, offering a host of powerful new features aimed at delivering enhanced gaming experiences for both developers and players.
The announcement was made during a Technical Presentation by Mark Cerny, Sony’s lead system architect, confirming long-standing rumors about the PlayStation 5 Pro’s development. The new console focuses on three key features that aim to significantly improve gameplay performance: an upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling.
Key Features of PS5 Pro:
- Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro boasts a GPU with 67% more Compute Units than the original PS5 and 28% faster memory, enabling 45% faster rendering for smoother gameplay. This hardware upgrade translates into a more fluid gaming experience, especially in graphics-intensive titles.
- Advanced Ray Tracing: Sony has significantly enhanced ray-tracing technology on the PS5 Pro, allowing for double or even triple the ray-tracing speed compared to the current PS5 model. This will result in more dynamic lighting, reflections, and refractions, creating a more realistic and immersive visual experience.
- AI-Driven Upscaling with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR): One of the most innovative features of the PS5 Pro is AI-driven upscaling. Powered by PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, this technology uses machine learning to enhance image quality, offering sharper details and improved clarity in games.
Additional Enhancements:
- PS5 Pro Game Boost: This feature will enhance the performance of over 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 games, stabilizing and improving gameplay on the new console.
- Enhanced Image Quality: Select PS4 games will benefit from resolution improvements, making them look better when played on the PS5 Pro.
- Wi-Fi 7 Support: The PS5 Pro is future-proofed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology (in supported regions), allowing for faster and more stable internet connectivity.
- VRR and 8K Gaming: The console supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming, ensuring smoother frame rates and compatibility with the latest displays.
PS5 Pro Enhanced Games:
Sony emphasized the broad support from game developers for the new hardware, noting that many existing and upcoming titles will be updated to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s advanced features. Games labeled PS5 Pro Enhanced will offer improved visuals and performance on the new console. Some of the highlighted titles include:
- 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 Last of Us Part II Remastered
- The Crew Motorfest
Visually, the PlayStation 5 Pro maintains a design similar to the original PS5, with a consistent height and width to accommodate the more advanced internal hardware. Players will be able to customize their consoles with interchangeable faceplates or opt for an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive as an optional accessory.
With its $699.99 price point, the PlayStation 5 Pro is currently positioned as one of the more premium gaming consoles on the market, reflecting the significant technological advancements it brings. The original PlayStation 5 was priced at $500, making the Pro a notable step up in both price and performance.
