Sony’s mid-cycle refresh of the PlayStation 5, the PS5 Pro, is coming on November 7. PlayStation lead architect Mark Cerny revealed the console today during a brief video presentation. “Simply put, it’s the most powerful console we’ve ever built,” Cerny said of the $700 device.
It’s been four years since the launch of the PlayStation 5. While Sony released slimmer versions of the console last year, the PS5 Pro is its first major hardware upgrade this generation. It has a slightly tweaked look that features three ridged black stripes. More importantly, it has removed the optical drive from its predecessors, a choice that’s sure to be controversial among users.
Still, the PS5 Pro adds more power to gamers’ gaming experiences. The new console includes an improved GPU that will enable 45 percent faster game rendering, as well as advanced ray tracing capabilities for better light rendering. Cerny’s video presentation today included gameplay of Ratchet & Clank: A Rift Apart, Control, The last of us part 2as well as many others, showing how games will run more faithfully on the new console.
The PS5 Pro will also include a new AI feature: “Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-powered upscaling that uses machine learning-based technology to provide super-sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail,” according to Sony. Blog entry on the Pro, which does not provide further details on the new feature.
Players who want to play their games in physical format will need to purchase a disc drive separately. The PS5 Pro remains compatible with current PS5 accessories. CNETwhich saw an early hands-on test of the console, the PS5 Pro will also see performance improvements for 40 to 50 games at launch via patches. That list includes games like Alan Wake 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Gran Turismo 7and Forbidden West Horizon.
“As time goes on, particularly for games that are released after hardware launches, we’ll increasingly see a more nuanced approach, where the focus is less on resolution and much more on increased image quality through a variety of strategies,” Cerny told CNET.
Initial response to the news online has been mixed, with some fans lamenting the lack of a disc drive and the higher price tag. “$700 and no disc drive is insane.” answered An X user: “It comes with 2TB of the same ultra-fast SSD and that alone is worth the price increase.” said another. Some wondered If the graphical improvements were really that good.
The existence of the Pro has been rumored for months; Leak last month It included what now appear to be accurate photos of its design. Pre-orders for the console begin on September 26.