Explore our ultimate PS5 vs PS5 Pro guide! Discover the key differences and features, and find out which gaming console is perfect for your needs. From performance to design, we break down everything you need to make an informed decision.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro Pricing
- Standard Edition: The PS5 standard edition, which includes an optical disc drive, is priced around $499.99 / £479.99.
- Digital Edition: The PS5 digital edition, which does not include an optical disc drive, is priced around $399.99 / £359.99.
- Standard Edition: The PS5 Pro standard edition, which includes an optical disc drive, is priced around $699.99 / £699.99.
- Digital Edition: The PS5 Pro digital edition, which does not include an optical disc drive, is priced around $669.99 / £649.99.
Key Differences
- Price Difference: The PS5 Pro is significantly more expensive than the standard PS5, with a price difference of $200 / £220 for the standard editions and $270 / £290 for the digital editions.
- Additional Features: The PS5 Pro offers several enhancements over the standard PS5, including advanced ray tracing, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), optimized console performance, and 2TB of storage.
Should You Upgrade?
The decision to upgrade from the PS5 to the PS5 Pro depends on your needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience with enhanced graphics and performance, the PS5 Pro might be worth the investment. However, if you’re satisfied with the performance of the standard PS5, it might be more cost-effective to stick with it.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro: Specs and Performance Comparison
| PS5 | PS5 PRO |
| CPU: 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz (Variable Frequency) | CPU: 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz (Variable Frequency) |
| GPU: 10.28 TFLOPs, AMD Radeon RDNA 2 graphics engine with 36 Compute Units at 2.23GHz (Variable Frequency) | GPU: 16.7 TFLOPs, AMD Radeon RDNA graphics engine |
| Memory: 16GB GDDR6 with a 256-bit memory bus | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 / 2GB DDR5 |
| Internal Storage: 825GB SSD | Internal Storage: 2TB SSD |
| Expandable Storage: NVMe SSD Slot | Expandable Storage: NVMe SSD Slot |
| Optical Drive: Standard Edition includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive | Optical Drive: None (Detachable disc drive bought separately) |
| Dimensions: 390mm x 104mm x 260mm | Dimensions: 388mm x 89mm x 216mm |
| Power Output: 350W | Power Output: 390W |
| Weight: 4.5kg | Weight: 3.1kg |
Performance Highlights
- Graphics and Ray Tracing: The PS5 Pro offers a significant boost in graphical power, rendering 45% quicker than the original PS5. Its advanced ray tracing capabilities provide more realistic lighting and reflections.
- PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR): The PS5 Pro features PSSR, which uses AI to upscale visual quality and frame rates, creating a smoother gaming experience.
- Frame Rates: Both consoles support up to 4K/120fps gameplay, but the PS5 Pro offers more consistent performance and higher frame rates in optimized titles.
- Storage: The PS5 Pro comes with a larger 2TB SSD, providing more storage space for games and faster load times compared to the PS5’s 825GB SSD.
- Backwards Compatibility: Both consoles support backward compatibility with PS4 games, but the PS5 Pro enhances performance with its Game Boost feature
Design: PS5 vs PS5 Pro
When comparing the design of the PS5 vs PS5 Pro, it’s clear that Sony has made significant improvements and refinements.
The PS5 features a futuristic and bold design that sets it apart from previous PlayStation consoles. It boasts a distinctive white-and-black colour scheme with blue LED lighting. The console is large and can be positioned either vertically or horizontally. The PS5’s design includes:
- Dimensions: 390mm x 104mm x 260mm
- Weight: 4.5kg
- Cooling System: Innovative cooling system with a large heatsink and a custom-designed fan to ensure efficient thermal management.
PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) Design
The PS5 Pro builds on the design foundation of the PS5, offering a more streamlined and compact form factor. Key design elements include:
- Dimensions: 388mm x 89mm x 216mm
- Weight: 3.1kg
- Cooling System: Improved cooling system with liquid metal thermal compound for better heat dissipation.
- Detachable Optical Drive: The PS5 Pro offers a detachable optical drive, giving users the option to use it as a digital-only console or with physical media.
Key Design Differences
- Size and Weight: The PS5 Pro is slightly smaller and lighter compared to the PS5, making it easier to fit into entertainment setups.
- Cooling Efficiency: The PS5 Pro’s enhanced cooling system ensures better thermal performance, especially during extended gaming sessions.
- Flexibility: The detachable optical drive on the PS5 Pro provides greater flexibility for users who prefer digital downloads or physical discs.
Network Connectivity:
When comparing the network connectivity of the PS5 vs PS5 Pro, both consoles offer robust features to enhance the online gaming experience, but the PS5 Pro includes some notable advancements.
PlayStation 5 (PS5) Network Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): The PS5 supports Wi-Fi 6, which provides faster speeds and improved performance in congested environments compared to its predecessor, Wi-Fi 5.
- Ethernet Port: The PS5 includes a gigabit Ethernet port for wired internet connections, ensuring stable and fast data transfer rates.
- Bluetooth 5.1: Supports a wide range of wireless peripherals, including headsets and controllers.
- Online Services: Access to PlayStation Network (PSN) for online multiplayer, digital downloads, and cloud gaming.
PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) Network Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): The PS5 Pro features Wi-Fi 7, offering significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and improved bandwidth utilization compared to Wi-Fi 6. This results in a more stable and seamless online gaming experience.
- Ethernet Port: Similar to the PS5, the PS5 Pro includes a gigabit Ethernet port for wired internet connections.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Enhanced Bluetooth support for better connectivity and reduced interference with wireless peripherals.
- Online Services: Access to PlayStation Network (PSN) with additional features such as faster download speeds and more reliable connections due to advanced network protocols.
Key Network Connectivity Differences
- Wi-Fi Technology: The PS5 Pro’s Wi-Fi 7 provides a significant upgrade over the PS5’s Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and lower latency.
- Bluetooth Version: The PS5 Pro uses Bluetooth 5.3, providing better performance and compatibility with newer peripherals.
- Enhanced Online Experience: The advanced network protocols in the PS5 Pro ensure more reliable connections and faster download speeds, enhancing the overall online gaming experience.
Verdict:
In the battle of PS5 vs PS5 Pro, both consoles offer exceptional gaming experiences, but the PS5 Pro comes with several enhancements that make it a worthy upgrade for serious gamers.
- Design: The PS5 Pro is slightly more compact and lighter, with an improved cooling system and a detachable optical drive, offering greater flexibility.
- Performance: The PS5 Pro boasts advanced ray tracing, higher TFLOPs, AI-enhanced resolution with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), and a larger 2TB SSD, providing smoother gameplay, sharper visuals, and faster load times.
- Network Connectivity: The PS5 Pro features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring faster, more stable connections and enhanced online gaming experiences.
Overall, if you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience and don’t mind spending a bit more, the PS5 Pro is a fantastic investment. It offers significant improvements in design, performance, and network connectivity compared to the standard PS5. However, if you’re happy with the excellent performance and features of the PS5, it remains a great choice for gamers.
