After months of speculation and rumors throughout 2024, Sony has officially announced the PS5 Pro. This highly anticipated upgrade to the PlayStation 5 is set to be released on November 7, 2024, just in time for the holiday season. While many gamers are excited about the new features, others are raising concerns over the console's pricing.
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What’s New with the PS5 Pro?
Sony describes the PS5 Pro as their "most advanced and innovative console hardware to date." The PS5 Pro comes with significant improvements over the base PS5 model, including a powerful new GPU that boasts 67% more compute units. This means that the console will be able to handle more complex graphics and deliver an even better gaming experience than before.
One of the standout features of the PS5 Pro is the introduction of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. This new technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the quality of in-game visuals, making the images crisper and more detailed. With this feature, games are expected to look stunning, taking full advantage of the console's enhanced hardware.
Additionally, several first-party PlayStation studios have already confirmed they will release PS5 Pro Enhanced titles. These games will be optimized to take full advantage of the Pro's hardware, offering smoother gameplay and better graphics than ever before.
The High Price of Power
While the new features of the PS5 Pro are impressive, the price has left many gamers shocked. The console is set to cost $699 in the U.S., £699 in the U.K., €799 in Europe, and ¥119,980 in Japan. This price is significantly higher than the original PS5, which launched at $499 for the standard edition.
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However, the price doesn’t stop there. The $699 price tag does not include two key accessories that come standard with the base PS5: the vertical stand and the disc drive. If you want the full PS5 Pro experience with these add-ons, it will cost you even more. The vertical stand is priced at $29.99, while the disc drive will set you back $79.99. When you add it all up, the total cost for a PS5 Pro with both the stand and the disc drive is $808.98.
Gamers React to the Price
The steep price of the PS5 Pro has sparked disappointment among many fans. Some prominent influencers and PlayStation content creators have voiced their concerns on social media. One creator, PlayStation Planet, pointed out that for the same price as a fully equipped PS5 Pro, you could buy a PS5, a Nintendo Switch, and an Xbox Series S.
Other users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have described the PS5 Pro as having a "premium price" without feeling like a "premium product." Many were surprised by the $699 starting price, with some calling it an "absolute shocker."
In addition, the official YouTube video announcing the PS5 Pro has received a noticeable amount of dislikes compared to likes, suggesting that a significant portion of the PlayStation community is unhappy with the console’s cost.
Final Thoughts
While the PS5 Pro promises to be a powerful console with exciting new features, its high price may be a sticking point for many gamers. Some are concerned that the cost, along with the need to purchase additional accessories, could make it difficult for the PS5 Pro to gain widespread popularity. Only time will tell if the impressive hardware and features will be enough to justify the price, or if Sony will face backlash for what some see as an overpriced product.