PlayStation 5 Pro review: Pricey future-proofing

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On November 7, 2024, Sony introduced an upgraded version of its PlayStation 5, named the PS5 Pro. This new model boasts a sleeker design, advanced technology, larger storage capacity, and overall improved performance. The enhanced gaming experience promised by the PS5 Pro is expected to carry Sony enthusiasts comfortably through the current generation and well into the next one. However, keep in mind that this upgrade comes with a substantial price tag, which could be enough to construct a decent personal computer.

What’s in the box?

The standard PlayStation 5 Pro retails for $699.99 USD, comes with the following items: the PS5 Pro console itself, one DualSense wireless controller, an internal SSD with 2 TB capacity, two plastic feet to help you position the console horizontally, an HDMI cable, a power cord, and the Astro’s Playroom game pre-installed digitally. This package is compact, lighter, and more conveniently storable than its predecessor. Inside, it boasts advanced technologies like Spectral Super Resolution, which leverages AI to improve picture quality on 4K TVs, as well as optimized console performance that allows for up to 120Hz display support and enhanced gameplay for PS5 and backward-compatible games. Additionally, it offers sophisticated ray-tracing capabilities that can be utilized in games where it’s applicable.

One of the most delightful features you’ll find upon unboxing is the 2TB of built-in storage, with approximately 1.8 TB available for your personal use. This is a significant improvement compared to the nearly 850 GB that can be utilized on the standard PS5’s SSD. Furthermore, it retains the slot for adding an external SSD storage expansion, all without requiring any special knowledge or skills to swap it out. Unlike the base models, you don’t need to know how to dismantle the PS5 or PS5 Pro to access these ports. I’ve made the switch myself, and found it simpler to access the storage port on the PS5 Pro and install the additional SSD. Once installed, turning on the PS5 Pro automatically recognized the extra storage, making it readily accessible for your gaming needs.

The design of the ports on this console is very similar, with just one minor inconvenience. Instead of featuring a USB-C and USB-A port on the front, it now has two USB-C ports. While most devices use USB-C nowadays, this means there’s no spot on the front to connect accessories like the Victrix BFG controller transmitter. It’s a bit frustrating because there seems to be enough room for both USB-C and USB-A ports upfront. Ideally, I would have preferred to see two USB-C ports and one USB-A port on the console’s front side, but at least they didn’t eliminate USB-A ports completely.

The PS5 Pro doesn’t come with a disc drive included in the initial purchase, which requires an additional $80 investment. I find the cost to be excessive given the overall price of $699.99. The process of installing the separate disc drive isn’t difficult, but it adds another financial burden. In my opinion, for around $780 plus tax, you could begin constructing a decent PC that would cater to your gaming needs for approximately 3-5 years. However, if you overlook the price tag, the PS5 Pro offers a robust and durable platform for current and future PS5 games.

How does it play?

Deliverance 2. I even tested Split Fiction on the PS5 Pro while reviewing that game. The PS5 Pro also offered immersive, cinematic experiences when playing fast-paced fighting games such as Guilty Gear Strive, Tekken 8, and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.

In general, the PlayStation 5 Pro optimized these games exceptionally well, making it more appealing for me to opt for Quality Mode over Performance Mode. The weather effects in Monster Hunter Worlds, such as sandstorms and lightning, were stunningly realistic, while the deep caverns with light streaming through cracks were equally breathtaking. The visuals during cutscenes were also notably beautiful.

The Split Fiction experience was a visual feast that moved with stunning elegance during my gaming sessions. Load times were quicker than usual, and even games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which are known for their lengthy playtime on current-gen systems, brought me to the gameplay sooner than anticipated. I was consistently captivated by its visually stunning countryside.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the significance of swift and precise visual feedback in fighting games. The PS5 Pro’s performance in this genre truly made me grin from ear to ear. It may not be immediately noticeable, but when the game runs as smoothly and accurately as it did on the Pro, it significantly enhances my ability to adapt to opponents throughout each bout and make strategic decisions that lead to victory.

Generational safeguard

The Upgraded PlayStation 5 delivers as promised: It’s an enhanced version of the PlayStation 5 in every aspect. It boasts improved storage capacity for a larger game library, seamless transfer from other systems, straightforward upgrading options, and overall, offers a more immersive gaming experience compared to its predecessor. However, I find the placement of the ports somewhat inconvenient, and the additional expense for a disc drive is a bit steep, especially when considering the $449.99 price tag of the PS5 Slim, which also includes the latest Astro Bot game at that price point. It’s challenging for me to justify spending $700 on this model compared to the more affordable PS5 Slim.

This console seems well-equipped to meet your PS5 gaming requirements for several more years, possibly even extending into the following generation. If you’re interested in being prepared for the upcoming PlayStation features over the next few years, then this could be the right choice for you. However, I believe it would be more worthwhile if they included Astro Bot as part of the package at that price point.

This assessment is derived from a model provided by the manufacturer. You can find the PlayStation 5 Pro priced at $699.99 USD on the official PlayStation site, along with various retailers that are partnered with them.

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2025-03-25 21:58