After months of rumors and leaks, Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced the PlayStation 5 Pro, the premium version of the PS5 console. The reveal was made through a brief presentation by Mark Cerny, the system architect for both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro.
According to Cerny, the main goal of the PS5 Pro is to eliminate the need for players to choose between the Performance and Fidelity modes in PS5 games. The PlayStation 5 Pro aims to maintain all the graphical details, including higher resolution characteristic of the Fidelity mode, while delivering high frame rates typical of the Performance mode (usually 60 frames per second).
Key Improvements in PlayStation 5 Pro
Cerny highlighted three major improvements that the PlayStation 5 Pro will introduce:
- Significant GPU Upgrade: The PS5 Pro will feature a GPU with 67% more Compute Units than the standard PS5, along with 28% faster memory. This upgrade is expected to deliver 45% more raw performance than the regular PS5.
- Advanced Ray Tracing: The components responsible for rendering Ray Tracing effects have been enhanced, enabling display speeds 2 to 3 times faster than on standard PS5 consoles in titles that heavily utilize Ray Tracing.
- AI-Based Upscaling: Sony is introducing its own AI-based upscaling solution with the PS5 Pro, called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. Similar to DLSS, this technology uses machine learning to upscale lower resolution images to full resolution without noticeably affecting image quality.
PS5 Pro Game Boost and Backwards Compatibility
The PS5 Pro will feature a Game Boost mode, offering improved performance in over 8,500 PS4 games through backward compatibility. Additionally, a select number of PS4 games will run at higher resolutions on the PS5 Pro. The new console will also support Wi-Fi 7, VRR, and the ability to display 8K resolution.
Enhanced Games and Developer Support
Game developers have already adopted the PS5 Pro, with new games featuring a “PS5 Pro Enhanced” label to indicate support for the console. Updates are also planned for several existing titles, including Alan Wake 2, Demon’s Souls, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Gran Turismo 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, The Crew Motorfest, The First Descendant, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
Design and Compatibility
Visually, the PS5 Pro will resemble the original PlayStation 5 consoles in look and height, with the addition of a black ribbed band in the middle. The console will be compatible with nearly all current PS5 accessories, including the Ultra HD Blu-ray optical drive, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation Portal, DualSense, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Pulse Explore.
Release Date and Pricing
The PlayStation 5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a price of €799.99 in Europe. It will come with 2 TB of SSD storage, a DualSense controller, and a pre-installed game, Astro’s Playroom. The package will not include an optical drive, but users will have the option to purchase one separately. Pre-orders are expected to start on September 26.
Unique Insights
The PlayStation 5 Pro represents a significant leap in console gaming technology, particularly with its focus on AI-based upscaling and advanced Ray Tracing capabilities. This suggests a trend where console gaming is increasingly bridging the gap with high-end PC gaming, offering advanced features traditionally found in PC hardware. With more games being optimized for the PS5 Pro, Sony is setting a new standard for gaming performance and visual fidelity, catering to both hardcore gamers and developers looking to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
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