Alright, gamers, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. Sony has officially announced the PS5 Pro, and it’s set to launch on November 7th with a price tag of AED2,600 ($700).
Following months of speculation and leaks, this souped-up version of the PlayStation 5 packs some serious horsepower under its sleek white hood. At its launch, Mark Cerny, the brain behind the PS5, highlighted that the Pro version will come with three significant enhancements: a larger GPU, superior ray tracing abilities, and a custom AI-powered upscaling feature known as PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR).
The PS5 Pro sports a design that’s not a major departure from its slimmer predecessor but spices things up with three (go-faster) stripes along the side. Importantly, it ditches the built-in disc drive, requiring those who still cling to physical media to shell out an extra $80 for a 4K Blu-ray drive. Optional console covers will let you personalize your ugly-but-powerful machine, which at this price point feels obligatory.
“For those who weren’t lost at “larger GPU,” this essentially means your games will look better and run smoother than ever before.”
Sony claims the new GPU is 67% beefier and boasts memory that’s 28% zippier compared to the OG PS5. All these numbers add up to an impressive 45% faster rendering in your favorite games. In layman’s terms, picture your games looking phenomenal while maintaining high frame rates, so no more choosing between performance and visual fidelity.
AI upscaling is where the PS5 Pro really flexes its muscles. Mark Cerny demoed The Last of Us Part II running at a buttery smooth 60fps, unlike the standard PS5’s 30fps in fidelity mode. This AI-driven PSSR feature is designed to smartly upscale games, offering a significant leap in frame rates and image quality, essentially making your games look and play better without needing a whole new version.
Backward compatibility gets a boost too. Over 8,500 PS4 games will benefit from the new “Game Boost” feature, promising stability and enhanced performance. Also, Wi-Fi 7, VRR, and 8K support make an appearance, alongside a 2TB SSD for all your storage needs and an extra USB-C port.
Developers seem on board, prepping free updates to ensure around 50 PS5 Pro Enhanced games ready for launch day. Titles like Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart are getting the Pro treatment – think 4K resolution at 60fps or even a tantalizing 8K mode for Gran Turismo 7.
Features like volumetric lighting and more detailed backgrounds promise to make these games even more immersive.
While preorders kick off on September 26th, the burning question remains if and when this powerhouse will roll into Middle Eastern markets. No news on that front yet, so sit tight and keep those fingers crossed.