Sony has officially unveiled the PlayStation 5 Pro, providing details on its release date, pricing, design, and features.

Release Date and Pricing

The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to launch on November 7, 2024, with preorders starting from September 26, 2024. This release schedule aligns with earlier leaks suggesting a Q4 2024 debut. The PS5 Pro will be priced at $699.99, making it significantly more expensive than the original PS5 and its Slim and Digital Edition variants, which are priced at $499.99 and $449.99, respectively.

Design

The PS5 Pro will retain a similar size to the PS5 Slim but will feature distinctive design elements, including three black stripes on each side. Unlike previous models, the PS5 Pro will not include a disc drive, although users can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive from the PS5 Digital Edition if needed. Customization options will remain available through console covers, which will be offered separately.

Specifications

The PS5 Pro boasts several upgrades over its predecessor:

• Enhanced GPU: The new GPU includes 67% more Compute Units and 28% faster memory, enabling up to 45% faster rendering and a smoother gameplay experience.
• Advanced Ray Tracing: Improved ray tracing capabilities allow for more dynamic light reflections and refractions, with rays being cast at up to triple the speed of the current PS5.
• AI-Driven Upscaling: Featuring PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, the PS5 Pro uses machine learning to enhance image clarity and add exceptional detail.

These upgrades mean users will benefit from both high graphics fidelity and frame rates, without having to choose between the two.

Storage and Accessories

The PS5 Pro will come with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense controller, and Astro’s Playroom pre-installed.

Games and Backward Compatibility

Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 5 Pro will not fragment the player base, meaning all games will be available across all PS5 models. However, the PS5 Pro will offer enhanced performance for more than 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 and PS5 games through a feature called PS5 Pro Game Boost. Additionally, some titles will receive free updates to take full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s capabilities. Confirmed enhanced titles include:

• Alan Wake 2
• Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
• 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
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered

This new model promises to deliver a significantly upgraded gaming experience, aligning with Sony’s tradition of enhancing console performance midway through a generation.