Name: PlayStation 5 Pro
Brand: Sony

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History repeats itself as Sony once again slaps on a Pro label to its latest generation of consoles. The long awaited PS5 Pro has finally launched, and I’ve been itching to get my hands on it – especially as its said to have significant performance improvements across the board. Of course, this is quite the investment compared to the PS5 Slim, so is it really worth it? Just how much are you getting for the money? I’ve put this beast through its paces to find out just that.

PlayStation 5 Pro

4 /5

Editor’s Rating

How We Review

Specifications

CPU: 8 core / 16 thread AMD Zen 2
GPU: RDNA-based graphics engine
Memory : 16GB GDDR6
RAM : 2GB DDR5
Storage: 2TB SSD
TDP: 390W
WiFi standard: WiFi 7

What We Think

The PS5 Pro is a tough sell for those who already own a PS5, and it’s easy to see why given its price tag. That said the improvement in fidelity and framerate is definitely a great gaming experience, alongside its increased storage from the get-go and other improved specs. Overall, it’s a worthy consideration but not a necessary upgrade over the PS5 itself.

Reasons to Buy

Great looking ray tracing and enhanced quality
An improved framerate that provides a smooth gaming experience
Increased standard storage capacity with the option to install more

Reasons to Avoid

No included disc drive or vertical stand
Much more expensive than the standard version makes value questionable
A limited number of enhanced games at its release

Unboxing

When it comes to unboxing the PS5 Pro, there’s nothing strictly special about it; it’s more or less the same as the standard version of the console. A more unassuming black packaging on the outside details the Pro version, but with the prominent logos informing you that it lacks a disc drive and still only supports 4k at 120Hz along with HDR. Any mention of 8K support we’d seen before the release has been removed, keeping it the same as the PS5.

Once you remove the outer shell, which conveniently has a hole at the bottom to push out the inside, the console and accessories come in a segmented box. The top features two compartments, one for the standard Dualsense controller included, the other for the bundle of cables you get, the power, HDMI, and USB-C to C for the controller. In between those, there’s a small pouch that hosts the two plastic feet you can slot into the side of the Pro to lay it down. Of course, it doesn’t come with a vertical stand, so it’s the suggested way to install it.

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Lastly, the console and documentation, wrapped in a protective covering and embraced by two rigid cardboard inserts, can be pulled from the bottom. Considering it is the more premium PS5 version, you would think there’s a bit more to it, but maybe it makes up for it in the rest of the experience.

Design

Specs	PS5 Pro	PS5 Slim	PS5
CPU	AMD Ryzen Zen 2, 8c/16t	AMD Ryzen Zen 2, 8c/16t	AMD Ryzen Zen 2, 8c/16t
GPU	AMD Radeon RDNA 2 16.7 TFLOPS, GDDR6 16GB	AMD Radeon RDNA 2, 10.3 teraflops, GDDR6 16GB	AMD Radeon RDNA 2, 10.3 teraflops, GDDR6 16GB
Storage	2TB custom SSD	1TB SSD	1TB SSD
IO	2x USB A 10Gbps 1x USB C Hi-Speed 1x USB Type C 10Gbps M.2 NVMe slot	2x USB A 10Gbps 1x USB C Hi-Speed 1x USB Type C 10Gbps M.2 NVMe slot	1 x USB-C 3 x USB-A M.2 NVMe slot
Networking	WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.1 Ethernet 1Gbps	WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 Ethernet 1Gbps	WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 Ethernet 1Gbps
AV Output	1x HDMI 2.1	1x HDMI 2.1	1x HDMI 2.1
Maximum power	390W	350W	350W
External dimensions (WxHxD)	388 x 89 x 216mm/ 15.2 x 3.5 x 8.5in	358 x 96 x 216mm/ 14.1 x 3.8 x 8.5in	390 x 104 x 260mm/ 15.4 x 4.1 x 10.2in
Mass	3.1kg/ 6.8lbs	3.2kg/ 7.1lbs	4.5kg/ 9.9lbs
Launch price	$699.99/ £699.99/ €799.99	$499.99/ £479.99/ €549.99	$499.99/ £479.99/ €499.99

Looks-wise, the PS5 Pro surprises me in that it shrinks in size compared to the standard PS5 I was testing it against. As the specs show, it’s similar in size to the PS5 Slim, without the disc drive. It drops down the height measurement in comparison, but with a similar weight, as clearly the lack of disc drive saves it both width and mass.

It expands on the changes the Slim first introduced to the console, increasing the number of vent ridges on the side to three. These also hide the small indents used to install the two transparent stands, keeping it lying flat without wobbling if you don’t stand it vertically.

The IO has been kept like the Slim, with the original PS5’s USB A removed and two Type Cs feature at the front instead. The rear holds the Type As if you need them; that’s where you’ll also find the HDMI 2.1 and ethernet ports. Storage is also increased with a 2TB SSD by default.

Cooling has also changed from the original, with the vents now being more open along the sides between the covers and the machine itself. It also means there are now four plates you can take off instead of just two big ones of the original. It takes some force but gives you plenty of access to upgrades and cleaning the device.

There is a larger fan behind those covers now, likely to accommodate the machine’s increased power to 390W, 40 more than the previous versions. This power will likely run the better PS5 Pro GPU inside, increasing performance by around 6 TFLOPS. There is an improvement in wireless speeds, too. With the inclusion of a WiFi 7 card, if you have the router for the job, you won’t need an ethernet cable for lightning-fast connectivity.

Usability

The setup was simple and easy, much like the standard versions of the console. It has a quick guide that takes you through the settings with HDR brightness options and the opportunity to sign in. However, there is the option to transfer data from your previous console, like a PS4 or PS5. You can move over the data and settings without having to set it up and download your apps again manually. Depending on the size, this takes some time, but it is much quicker overall, especially if your internet download speeds are slower.

Upgradeability is also rather easy and handy if you need it. Although the Pro already comes with 2TB, you can still install a PS5 SSD as an upgrade. Remove a cover and unscrew the slot to plug in an M.2 drive for a boost in capacity.

Under the covers, you can also find access to the CMOS battery, which is more common in gaming motherboards than consoles. But that makes it all the easier to replace and makes the console more accessible to repair, as the battery keeps the BIOS powered and settings in place when the console is unplugged. Seeing as they can drain over time, it’s good you can change it out so easily.

Performance

The PS5 Pro has only 50 enhanced games on its release. These allow the use of PSSR and optimize the games to improve the framerates to reach 60 and 120FPS, depending on your TV’s refresh rate. For me, that was limited to 4K 60FPS as I was running the console through the Elgato 4K60S+ capture device to grab the screenshots below. Still, I felt a noticeable difference in the testing.

First, I tried out Astro’s Playroom, a game that is not optimized for the new console but is just a standalone option. I could not notice any clear difference in the look and gameplay. The game was most likely already well-optimized for the console, so there’s not much more to improve, at least not for release.

However, Hogwarts Legacy, on the other hand, does offer a greater gameplay experience. Even when maxing out the quality to the fidelity with ray tracing mode, you can see the improved technology and frame rate even with the more difficult tasking rendering mode. It’s even more obvious when compared to the original, which almost feels choppy to me as it targets a mere 30FPS instead of the 60 the Pro aims for.

If you’re not too bothered about the enhanced graphics, going into performance mode boosts the framerate and playability of the game. Now, targeting 120 FPS on the Pro, it’s a lot more enjoyable to play. I can appreciate the smoother gameplay as someone who usually games on a 144Hz monitor.

Jedi Survivor offers the same experience, although even on the PS5 Pro, it seems not to be capable of 60FPS either with the higher quality mode. Only in performance mode does it improve the framerate to above 60 and make it a smoother experience. It’s also harder to spot the quality improvements the Pro offers; it’s more of a general improvement in the look, lighting, and reflections that you have to stare at to notice. But in performance mode, you can definitely feel the faster framerate.

Price

The Pro has an increased price, too; it launched at $699.99/ £699.99/ €799.99, around $200/ £200/ €300 more than the previous version. That is quite an expensive upgrade, especially as the Pro doesn’t even come with a disc drive out of the box. You have to buy one for $79.99/ £99.99, and if you want a stand, it will cost another $29.99/ £24.99 on top.

It might not be necessary to get either, but the disc drive might be needed if you have any disc games and want compatibility with stuff you already own, bringing the price difference up to around $280.

Conclusion

PlayStation 5 Pro

4 /5

Editor’s Rating

How We Review

Specifications

CPU: 8 core / 16 thread AMD Zen 2
GPU: RDNA-based graphics engine
Memory : 16GB GDDR6
RAM : 2GB DDR5
Storage: 2TB SSD
TDP: 390W
WiFi standard: WiFi 7

The PlayStation 5 Pro is a rather expensive console that might be in limited demand. Considering those with a PS5 already won’t need to splurge on the slight upgrade, it might only make sense if you don’t already have one and have the money for an enhanced edition.

It does provide an excellent framerate, but only a limited number of games are optimized for it from release, so it’s not like your whole library will benefit from the better GPU right away. Plus, to get the full experience of the improvements, you’ll probably want to sit close to your screen to appreciate the improved quality.

PlayStation 5 Pro review: enthusiast upgrades at a premium price-point

Table of Contents

Unboxing

Top 5 Cyber Monday deals

Design

Usability

Performance

Price

Conclusion

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