Sony has officially revealed the much-anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro. Priced at £699.99, it will launch on November 7, 2024, and will be discless upon release.
During a Technical Presentation, lead architect Mark Cerny highlighted the console’s enhancements, including a larger GPU, improved ray tracing, and new custom hardware for machine learning, known as PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). The design resembles recently leaked images, featuring distinctive side stripes.
In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Hideaki Nishino, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Platform Business Group, detailed the PS5 Pro’s performance upgrades:
- Upgraded GPU: The PlayStation 5 Pro’s GPU has 67% more Compute Units and 28% faster memory, resulting in up to 45% faster rendering for a smoother gameplay experience.
- Advanced Ray Tracing: Enhanced ray tracing offers more dynamic reflections and refractions, with ray casting speeds up to triple those of the current PlayStation 5.
- AI-Driven Upscaling: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution uses machine learning to deliver ultra-sharp image clarity with exceptional detail.
The PlayStation 5 Pro will be priced starting from £699.99. It includes a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and Astro’s Playroom pre-installed, with the vertical stand sold separately.
The console will be discless at launch, but a separate disc drive for the PlayStation 5 Pro can be purchased. It will also support the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology where available.
Games optimised for the PlayStation 5 Pro will feature a ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’ tag. The new features will take advantage of titles such as Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. All existing PlayStation 5 games will be playable on the PlayStation 5 Pro, maintaining the same user interface and online community.
Additionally, the PlayStation 5 Pro will support backward compatibility with over 8,500 PlayStation 4 games through PS5 Pro Game Boost, potentially improving performance and image quality. Current PS5 accessories, including PlayStation VR2 and DualSense Edge, will also be compatible.
The PlayStation 5 Pro will be available for pre-order starting September 26, 2024, at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation.
