The PlayStation 5 Pro hardware review focuses on analyzing the next-gen graphics upgrade introduced by Sony in their mid-generation console refresh, which is set to launch on November 7th, 2024. Historically, mid-generation console refreshes are common practice within the gaming industry, utilized by companies to extend the lifecycle of a console by enhancing hardware features and performance capabilities. This trend is evident from previous consoles dating back to the Atari 2600, various Nintendo models, and more recently, Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro and Microsoft’s Xbox One X, which introduced enhanced capabilities while maintaining compatibility with existing game libraries.
The PlayStation 5 Pro follows the tradition of improved hardware within the same console generation, emphasizing enhanced performance and graphics without introducing game exclusivity for the upgraded system. This approach contrasts with prior attempts like Nintendo’s New 3DS, which offered exclusive games that were unplayable on the original 3DS. The PlayStation 5 Pro aims to deliver a higher benchmark across all existing PlayStation titles, catering to gamers seeking improved visuals and smoother gameplay.
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
Package Contents and Setup
The PlayStation 5 Pro package comes with the same set of components as previous PlayStation consoles. For an in-depth exploration of the contents and initial impressions, the article refers readers to a linked unboxing review. The author notes the intent to purchase an external disc drive to play physical game copies. Disappointment is expressed regarding Sony’s horizontal stand for the PlayStation 5 Pro, critiquing its lack of stability. The horizontal stand does not securely support the console unless additional hardware, such as a third-party stand or the disc drive, is purchased. This brings up the practical concern that gamers interested in physical copies of games may need to make additional investments to accommodate their preferences.
Vertical vs. Horizontal Placement
In contrast, the vertical stand included by Sony operates effectively but may not fit every user’s setup, particularly for those placing consoles horizontally to fit under a wall-mounted television. The PlayStation 5 Pro’s design appears optimized for use with the optional disc drive or vertical stand rather than for horizontal placement. The two white stand pieces provided for horizontal orientation are criticized for their insufficient stability, negatively impacting the console’s presentation and aesthetic. Therefore, those with a confined setup may find themselves at a disadvantage unless willing to rearrange their entertainment systems.
Performance and Graphics Enhancements
PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR)
Central to the PlayStation 5 Pro’s value proposition is Sony’s PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology, which operates continuously in the background to enhance game performance and visuals. This technology improves game graphics and frame rates without requiring users to adjust settings manually. One prominent example provided is the game The Last of Us in Quality mode, where, typically, the base PlayStation 5 runs the game at 30 frames per second (FPS), but the PlayStation 5 Pro achieves closer to 60 FPS, delivering a smoother gaming experience. Even though PSSR’s improvements might not be immediately distinguishable without a side-by-side comparison against the base model, it significantly enhances gameplay fluidity and responsiveness.
8K Output and Backward Compatibility
The PlayStation 5 Pro also features an option in the Screen and Video menu to toggle 8K output, although the reviewer notes their display does not accommodate this setting. Another significant feature is the enhancement of PlayStation 4 games’ image quality. However, this feature is disabled when the console is connected to a FullHD display, as it is meant for higher resolution displays supporting 1440p or 2160p output. Specific older titles, such as Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, benefit from additional anti-aliasing and image smoothing, showcasing noticeable improvements in character models and environments. Nevertheless, this process is not flawless, with minor artifacts and image warping observed, especially in intricate details like character animations. Despite these minor imperfections, the upgrade process generally results in substantial visual enhancements for older games.
Design and Usability
Console Stability and Aesthetics
The PlayStation 5 Pro’s design appears optimized for use with the optional disc drive or vertical stand rather than for horizontal placement. The two white stand pieces provided for horizontal orientation are criticized for their insufficient stability, negatively impacting the console’s presentation and aesthetic. The article suggests investing in Sony’s vertical stand or the disc drive to address these stability issues and to enable playing disc-based games. It appears crucial for users to consider their console placement setup carefully in order to achieve both operational stability and an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.
Practical Considerations
The PlayStation 5 Pro aims to balance improvements in performance and graphics with practical considerations of existing hardware limitations. With nearly 100 titles enhanced for the PlayStation 5 Pro, Sony demonstrates a significant commitment to showcasing the $699 console’s value. Nevertheless, the extent to which developers will adopt and leverage the PlayStation 5 Pro’s unique features remains to be seen, potentially affecting the console’s impact and adoption rates across the gaming community. The comparison drawn to upgrading a PC graphics card highlights the type of consumer Sony targets: those who appreciate incremental performance gains and graphics upgrades, akin to PC gamers upgrading to a newer, more powerful GPU.
Advanced Features and Technology
AI Upscaling and PSSR Rendering
Mark Cerny’s involvement in crafting the PlayStation 5 Pro is noted, where his engineering expertise has incorporated advanced AI upscaling and PSSR rendering techniques to maximize the visual quality of existing games. The emphasis is on iterative improvement rather than revolution, positioning the PlayStation 5 Pro as an upgraded graphics card within the console ecosystem rather than a new, standalone console. This iterative approach allows the system to enrich the gaming experience significantly while retaining compatibility with the established library of PlayStation titles, providing a seamless transition for current PlayStation 5 users considering an upgrade.
Enhanced Storage and Ray Tracing
The PlayStation 5 Pro hardware review delves into Sony’s next-gen graphics upgrade set to launch on November 7, 2024. Such mid-generation console refreshes are common in the gaming industry, allowing companies to extend the lifespan of a console by improving hardware features and performance. This trend is seen with consoles dating back to the Atari 2600, various Nintendo models, and more recently with Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro and Microsoft’s Xbox One X. These refreshes brought enhanced capabilities while maintaining compatibility with existing game libraries.
The PlayStation 5 Pro continues this tradition by emphasizing better performance and graphics within the same console generation. Unlike prior attempts like Nintendo’s New 3DS, which had exclusive games unplayable on the original 3DS, the PS5 Pro does not introduce game exclusivity. Instead, it aims to deliver superior graphics and smoother gameplay across all current PlayStation titles. This approach caters to gamers looking for improved visual experiences and enhanced performance without needing a whole new library of games specifically for the upgraded system.