Sony Interactive Entertainment’s early morning 9-minute livestream wasn’t just about the technology behind the PlayStation 5 as a console itself, but also the launchpad to announce the new sub-generation of PS5 gaming – dubbed the PlayStation 5 Pro. Set to launch on 7 November 2024 at a retail price of a whopping $1,199.95 AUD or local equivalent. In return for the price, the unit aims to offer enhanced gaming experiences, with significant improvements in graphics, performance, and game rendering.
Somewhat disappointing, following their release of a separate Blu-ray disc drive unit, is that the PlayStation 5 Pro will not come with a built-in disc reader by default – rendering the unit only able to play digital games out of the box. For the price, and given that many (including myself) still enjoy their games on disc, it comes as a surprise. What is arguably more positive however is the hardware specs themselves. The PS5 Pro will come with a 2TB SSD drive, and upgraded components which promote the following features:
- An upgraded GPU with 67% more Compute Units and 28% faster memory than the current PS5, allowing for up to 45% faster game rendering.
- Enhanced ray tracing capabilities that double the speed of light reflection and refraction over the existing PS5 model.
- AI-driven upscaling via PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution technology, offering detailed and clear visuals.
Games optimised for the new hardware will carry a “PS5 Pro Enhanced” label, with notable titles such as Alan Wake 2, Demon’s Souls, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and more expected to take full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s capabilities. Additionally, as with the other PS5 units, the PS5 Pro will support backward compatibility for over 8,500 PlayStation 4 games, with improved performance through the PS5 Pro Game Boost feature. Furthermore, existing accessories including the PlayStation VR2, the PlayStation Portal remote player, and the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore headsets, will be compatible with the new console.
Hideaki Nishino, CEO of the Platform Business Group at SIE, shared his excitement for the upcoming release:
We are proud of the impact that PS5 has made on the gaming industry, providing an opportunity for game creators to realise their vision and reach millions of players around the world. But we’re always pushing ourselves to innovate so we can meet, and hopefully exceed, the evolving needs of our players. We’re pleased to offer PS5 Pro alongside the current PS5 console this holiday, and we look forward to seeing continued gameplay innovation from our talented game creators that unleash the possibilities of the PS5 hardware for years to come.
If you are looking around for pre-orders and not having much luck, don’t fret. Sony Interactive Entertainment are looking at commencing pre-orders on 26 September 2024 via select retailers.
