Sony has long been rumored to be working on a mid-cycle upgrade for its PlayStation 5. We have already covered PlayStation 5 Pro leaks that hint at its performance enhancements. But we have yet to receive an official word on its release. So is it really waiting for? Or is the PS5 still relevant?
1. What do we know about the Sony PS5 Pro?
Before we get into the real questions, here’s some context about what the PS5 Pro could offer. An early report from March claimed that the PS5 Pro’s CPU will be identical to the standard PS5 console. But, the Pro variant is apparently bringing a new ‘High CPU Frequency Mode.’ So simply put, there is an overclocking option.
The push in the CPU’s clock speed to 3.85GHz implies a 10% increase in CPU power. This will be paired with a 28% higher bandwidth, up from 448GB/s to 576GB/s. This higher bandwidth should enable fast data transfer that could help in improved graphical fidelity, faster rendering, and more. But the real upgrades lie in graphics. Reportedly, Sony could offer a 45% leap in rendering power, which could go up to 4x in some cases.
This means that we can finally get better ray tracing performance and an impressive 33.5 teraflops of compute power. All this points to Sony’s plans on offering a playable experience at 8K resolution, and smoother gameplay at 4K on the PS5 Pro. Apart from this, the brand plans to improve its audio technology, which could be dubbed the ACV (Audio Compute Voice) for a 35% gain for the ACM *Audio Compute Module) library.
2. So what’s the catch?
With the PS5 Pro on the horizon, there’s a chance that Sony could discontinue the standard PS5 (keeping the PS5 Slim). However, if all options are still being sold, there is likely a premium on that price tag. We can expect around a $100 jump over the standard PS5. Most games that are already on the PS5 likely won’t see a massive improvement in terms of visual fidelity.
Playing at a higher resolution at a smoother frame rate is definitely a boon. Although, it’s uncertain which games will take advantage of the improved hardware. Sony is apparently also planning games to acquire a ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced Label’. In other words, existing titles on the PS5 will get an update to allow upscaled resolution and higher frame rate. While titles under Sony’s belt like God of War: Ragnarok will likely get this rating, third-party developers may not opt for this.
3. Is the PS5 Pro really worth the wait?
As of right now, the PS5 Pro sounds like the most powerful gaming console. However, PS5 owners aren’t missing out on much since their current-gen model is still quite capable. Some are waiting on GTA 6 and I can understand that you want to have the best experience since its requirements are pretty steep.
But holding out on gaming for a single title doesn’t seem worthwhile. Thinking about all the fun you’d miss out on, I’d suggest getting the base PS5 right now (even the PS5 Slim). If you don’t have a PS5 and are saving up for one, reports have hinted at a Holiday 2024 release for the PS5 Pro. So you could maybe be just a little more patient. Keep in mind that this launch timeframe is still unconfirmed, so take it with a grain of salt. We shall keep a look out for fresh leaks, so stay tuned for more updates.
