Playstation 5 Pro, A Next-Gen Disappointment Wrapped in a Premium Price Tag

In a world where gamers are continually hyped up for the next big thing, Sony has done it again—they’ve managed to deliver something that’s… well, underwhelming. The PlayStation 5 Pro, touted as the ultimate upgrade to the original PS5, has finally been revealed. And guess what? It’s about as exciting as a new coat of paint on an old car. Sure, it looks shiny and comes with a hefty price tag, but does it deliver what gamers were hoping for? Spoiler alert: Not really.

Playstation 5 Pro, A Slightly Shinier Box of Disappointment

Let’s start with what’s inside this “Pro” version of the PS5. Sony proudly announced at their latest event that the PlayStation 5 Pro has an upgraded GPU and CPU, promising slightly better performance than its predecessor. Specifically, the PS5 Pro boasts a custom AMD RDNA 3 GPU with 14 TFLOPs of power and a Zen 4-based CPU clocked at 3.8 GHz. Impressive, right? Well, hold your applause.

More Power, But at What Cost?

The gaming community was expecting a quantum leap in performance—something that would make 4K gaming at 120fps a reality for all titles, not just a handful of them. Instead, what we got is a console that can barely achieve 60fps in 4K on most modern AAA titles. Oh, and did I mention the supposed “8K support”? Yes, technically, it can output 8K, but good luck finding a game that runs at that resolution without turning into a slideshow.

So, what exactly are you paying for? A minor bump in performance that might make your games look slightly better—if you squint. All of this for the low, low price of $699, which is just $200 more than the regular PS5. What a steal! (Please note the sarcasm.)

Ray Tracing and Load Times: Marginally Less Painful

One of the major selling points of the PS5 Pro is its improved ray-tracing capabilities. Sony claims that the enhanced GPU allows for better lighting and reflections, making your gaming worlds more immersive. But here’s the kicker: you’d need to pause and zoom in on that puddle reflection to notice the difference. Unless you’re one of those gamers who likes to stare at digital water all day, the improvement is hardly noticeable during fast-paced gameplay.

And let’s talk about those much-touted faster load times, thanks to the PS5 Pro’s upgraded SSD. Sure, games do load faster—by about 2 seconds. So, you can spend that extra time being disappointed by the marginally improved graphics. Hooray?

Playstation 5 Pro, What Gamers Wanted?

The gaming community had high hopes for the PS5 Pro. Here’s a quick rundown of what we expected versus what we got:

• Expectation: Full 4K gaming at 120fps across the board.
• Reality: Some games might hit 4K at 60fps, but most still hover around 30-45fps.
• Expectation: True 8K gaming.
• Reality: The PS5 Pro can output in 8K, but finding a game that runs natively at that resolution is like finding a needle in a haystack.
• Expectation: Drastically improved ray tracing that transforms game environments.
• Reality: Slightly better reflections and shadows, if you care to look closely.
• Expectation: Significant upgrades to the PS5’s cooling system to eliminate the jet engine noise.
• Reality: The PS5 Pro is quieter, but the fans still rev up like a sports car in a tunnel during intense gaming sessions.

The Price of Mediocrity

Let’s not forget the price tag. At $699, the PS5 Pro is asking you to pay more for features that don’t drastically change your gaming experience. For the extra $200, you’re getting a console that’s slightly better but not enough to justify the cost—especially when the gaming community was hoping for revolutionary changes.

For the same price, you could invest in a high-end PC component or even start saving up for a next-gen console that might deliver on its promises. The PS5 Pro feels like a half-hearted attempt to keep up with the ever-evolving gaming industry, rather than a bold step forward.

Conclusion: Not Worth the Hype (or the Price)

In summary, the PlayStation 5 Pro is a classic case of overpromising and underdelivering. Sony has slapped the “Pro” label on a console that doesn’t live up to the expectations set by its price or its marketing. If you’re already a PS5 owner, do yourself a favor and skip this one. If you’re in the market for a new console, maybe wait for something that justifies the extra cash. Until then, the PS5 Pro is another overpriced gadget that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Sources:

• Sony PlayStation Official Site
• TechRadar – PlayStation 5 Pro Review
• IGN – PS5 Pro: Is It Worth It?
• The Verge – PlayStation 5 Pro vs. PS5: What’s the Difference?

by TechTaker