When Sony first unveiled the PlayStation 5 Pro, the initial question was: who is the target audience for this upgrade? We are currently in the middle of the console generation, and the standard PS5 consoles in our testing setups have seemingly reached their stride after being on the market for just over four years. Sony describes the Pro model as being for the “most dedicated players,” a marketing term that encompasses everyone from professional e-sports competitors to enthusiasts willing to invest in the best possible gaming experience. After extensive testing with this substantial console, the answer is more nuanced.
The price point is a significant consideration. With a suggested retail price of 10,500 SEK, now stabilizing around 9,500 SEK, the PS5 Pro represents a considerable investment and a new high for console pricing (the recently released Nintendo Switch 2 is priced competitively at approximately 7,000 SEK). At this price, a complete premium experience is expected. However, the lack of a built-in disc drive is a notable omission. This accessory requires an additional purchase of approximately 1,000 SEK, a decision that seems incongruous for a “Pro”-labeled product. For users with existing libraries of physical PS5 games who prefer to purchase games on sale or secondhand, this feels like a deliberate push towards an all-digital future. The separate sale of the vertical stand further compounds this feeling. The PS5 Pro is positioned as a premium option alongside the standard PS5 model, segmenting the market to maximize revenue from enthusiast consumers without impacting the mass-market product. This strategy elevates the total cost of the console with accessories to approximately 12,000 SEK.
PS5 Pro Internal Specifications: Powerful, with Caveats
The PS5 Pro’s design represents an evolution of the PS5 Slim’s aesthetics. It is slightly larger than the Slim model but noticeably smaller than the original PS5 launch edition. The most prominent design element is the fin-like structure in the middle, which serves both cosmetic and functional purposes by enhancing airflow and cooling the more powerful internal components. Connectivity has been updated with two front-mounted USB-C ports, replacing the original’s USB-A/USB-C configuration. However, the internal hardware is the key focus.
The new graphics processing unit (GPU) demonstrates considerable power. Featuring 67% more compute units and a hybrid architecture incorporating elements from RDNA 3 and 4, the PS5 Pro delivers a theoretical rendering performance increase of up to 45%, forming the core of the Pro experience. While memory bandwidth has increased from 448 GB/s to 576 GB/s due to 28% faster GDDR6 memory, Sony has also allocated more memory to game developers, increasing it to 13.7 GB compared to 12.5 GB on the standard PS5. The storage space has also doubled to 2 TB, providing the necessary technical foundation for a substantial upgrade.
However, the central processing unit (CPU) remains largely unchanged, retaining the same 8-core Zen 2 processor as the standard model. This decision was likely made to control costs and maintain a unified development target. A “High CPU Frequency Mode” increases the clock frequency by 10% to 3.85 GHz, but this represents an incremental improvement. Many had hoped for a more significant upgrade. Consequently, the PS5 Pro cannot magically transform a game locked at 30 frames per second (fps) due to CPU limitations into a smooth 60 fps experience, despite the increased resources on the graphics and memory fronts. Instead, its strength lies in providing games already targeting higher performance levels with the additional headroom needed to maintain stable frame rates, which will be discussed in detail below.
PSSR: A Necessary Savior?
The key feature of the new console, and Sony’s primary advantage, is PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). Initial skepticism was understandable, as “AI upscaling” has often involved compromises, resulting in inconsistent performance and visual artifacts. However, PSSR is distinct. It represents Sony’s answer to NVIDIA’s DLSS, an AI-driven technology that uses a dedicated accelerator to reconstruct images from lower resolutions to 4K. The objective is to achieve the visual fidelity of a “Fidelity” mode combined with the fluid frame rate of a “Performance” mode – a goal that has proven elusive this console generation. In many cases, PSSR achieves this. Testing indicates that PSSR offers superior image stability compared to software solutions like FSR 2 and provides strong competition to DLSS, even in its first iteration. This is the most significant technical upgrade in the console and the primary justification for the “Pro” designation.
Gaming Experience on PlayStation 5 Pro: From Impressive to Grounded
How does this technology translate into real-world gaming performance? The answer is nuanced. To receive the “PS5 Pro Enhanced” label, a game must meet specific criteria, such as implementing a PSSR mode for 4K/60fps, offering higher resolutions, or incorporating new ray tracing effects.
Initial testing focused on Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which delivered an exceptional experience. Swinging through Manhattan with ray-traced reflections enabled, in sharp 4K resolution, and with a consistent 60 fps frame rate offers a transformative gaming experience. PSSR eliminates the trade-off between frame rate and visual quality. Similar results were observed in Gran Turismo 7, where ray tracing can now be used during races, enhancing realism. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth features an “Enhanced Pro” mode that balances quality and frame rate, and Resident Evil VIII can now run at 120fps, benefiting FPS enthusiasts. Stellar Blade, while still rendering at 1080p, receives a noticeable graphical boost and maintains fluidity through PSSR.
However, the performance is not universally positive. Alan Wake 2, a graphically demanding title, reveals some limitations. In “Quality Mode,” the Pro version delivers enhanced ray-traced reflections absent on the standard PS5. However, in “Performance Mode,” targeting 60 fps, the console struggled and, in some scenes, performed marginally worse than the standard version. Other games, including Silent Hill 2 and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, have exhibited image quality issues on the PS5 Pro, although these may be addressed through future patches. The PS5 Pro’s performance remains dependent on developer optimization and implementation.
A welcome addition is the new “balanced” mode at 40 fps available in several games, requiring a 120 Hz TV. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and Hogwarts Legacy demonstrate the effectiveness of this mode, offering a smoother experience than 30 fps, often while maintaining native 4K resolution. This has become a preferred option, balancing image quality and fluidity.
A comprehensive list of PS5 games Enhanced for PS5 Pro is available.
Summary: Is the PS5 Pro a Worthwhile Purchase?
After extensive testing and analysis, we can address the initial question.
The PlayStation 5 Pro is a technically impressive console, offering a competitive price/performance ratio compared to a gaming PC, appealing to a specific segment of gaming enthusiasts despite its premium price. Under optimal conditions, the console delivers a gaming experience approaching that of a high-performance gaming PC, albeit at a significantly lower cost. However, its high price, additional expenses, and dependence on developer support position it as a “nice-to-have” product for the general public. It remains the most technologically advanced console currently available.
Consider the following recommendations when deciding between the PS5 Pro and the standard model:
- For new buyers choosing between a standard PS5 and a Pro, if the price difference of approximately 3,000 SEK is not a barrier, the Pro model is the recommended choice. It offers greater future-proofing and an improved experience in optimized games from the outset.
- For current PS5 owners, the decision is more complex. The upgrade becomes a luxury, not a necessity. Justification requires a high level of gaming enthusiasm, ownership of a 4K/120Hz TV with VRR, and dissatisfaction with the compromise between 30 and 60 fps modes. For most, the improvements may not justify the cost.
The PS5 Pro will serve as our new reference machine for the PS5 format, even if it does not represent a revolutionary leap. It functions as a crucial technological bridge, a public testbed for technologies likely to define PlayStation 6 in the coming years. It mitigates risks and accelerates development for the next generation. Its position relative to Microsoft’s next Xbox (or the potential release timeframe of PS6) remains to be seen. It is an impressive machine for dedicated enthusiasts, but its long-term legacy lies in the future.
Playstation provided review units for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence, and we maintain objectivity with our readers and consumers in mind.
