On September 10, 2024, Sony finally announced the launch of the PS5 Pro, the mid-generation upgrades that PlayStation fans have been waiting for last year or so. However, given that the PS5 Slim is still available, prospective buyers might get confused between the consoles. Which is the right gaming console for you? Should you spend more on the PS5 Pro, or are you better off with the regular PS5 Slim? Here’s a detailed comparison to answer all your questions.
PS5 Pro vs. PS5 Slim: Indian Pricing
While the PS5 Pro’s Indian pricing isn’t out yet, the global pricing is $699.99. Given the trend in pricing, the PS5 Pro could cost around Rs. 65,000 to 70,000.
On the other hand, the PS5 Slim (Digital Edition) costs Rs. 44,990. For the price, the variant offers 1TB of high-speed SSD.
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PS5 Pro vs. PS5 Slim: Design
The most striking difference is the removal of the disk drive on the PS5 Pro. Guess Sony is pushing toward digital games more than ones that ship in a disk drive. Those interested in the disc drive can get it for another $79.99 (the Indian pricing isn’t out yet). Other design elements, like the console’s length and breadth, resemble the original PS5.
Users get a finned design element across the width of the console (on the cover plate). Later, the company will also launch customizable face plates for the console.
The PS5 Pro Features More USB-C Ports
The PS5 Pro comes with two USB-C ports on the front and one USB-C port on the back. On the back, the console features one USB-A port.
In comparison, the PS5 Slim features two USB-C ports on the front and two USB-C ports on the rear.
PS5 Pro vs. PS5 Slim: Performance Upgrades
PS5 Pro Gets An Upgraded GPU
First, the PS5 Pro features a more powerful GPU that can render games up to 45% faster than the regular PS5. Further, the new console has 67% more computing units than the current model and 28% faster RAM. With the faster GPU, players can enjoy smoother gameplay at the best possible graphics and frame rate. As mentioned in the official blog post, the PS5 Pro can achieve 4K resolution at 60 fps (or possibly more for some titles).
However, the booting and loading time for video games should remain the same, as the PS5 Pro features the same CPU and storage speed as the PS5.
4K At 60 FPS Should Be The New Norm
With the current PS5, gamers often have to choose between high-fidelity graphics or a smoother frame rate. While the performance mode ensures the highest possible frame rate for a smoother experience, the fidelity mode ensures that the graphics are rendered at the highest quality, which often compromises the frame rate. Thankfully, this shouldn’t be a problem with the PS5 Pro. In theory, the console can achieve both 4K visuals and 60 fps with its faster GPU. Even so, the modes might not leave the console entirely and could be available for 8K gaming.
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PS5 Pro Offers At Least 2x Faster Ray Tracing
Ray tracking is a feature that simulates how light travels in the form of rays (in the real world) in video games. By tracking the path of light as it hits and reflects/refracts several surfaces, ray tracking generates more realistic graphics, providing a more immersive gaming experience. While the feature has already been around in the regular PS5, the PS5 Pro takes it to a new level. With the new console, Sony promises more powerful ray tracing, which is twice, and at times, even thrice, the speeds of the regular PS5.
This means that video games that entail a lot of reflections or refractions, like those that contain cityscapes or the visuals of a forbidden forest, will benefit from the improvement,
PS5 Pro Features AI-Driver Image Upscaling
With the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driver upscaling mechanism, the images generated on the PS5 Pro will appear to be more crisp and detailed. The feature will also help the GPU achieve higher frame rates while maintaining enough detail in the frames. For those who are having difficulty understanding what’s happening here, image upscaling works similarly to the Photo Unblur feature on the new Pixel phones, except at a much faster rate (essentially to 60 photos per second).
While gaming PCs have had this feature for a while, the PS5 Pro is the first console to leverage the technology to ensure higher details in every image. The feature will utilize machine learning to fill in all the gaps left by the GPU, eventually increasing the sharpness of every scene. In the announcement video, Sony showcases how the feature enhances the background details. However, if you’re a casual gamer, you might not notice the difference at first glance.
PS5 Pro Offers Twice The Storage
For downloading and installing demanding games that occupy more space, the PS5 Pro ships with 2TB of internal storage.
In comparison, the regular PS5 Slim and the PS5 offer 1TB of SSD storage.
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PS5 Pro Supports Faster Downloads
While the current PS5 ships with Wi-Fi 6, the PS5 Pro will improve wireless communication by featuring Wi-Fi 7, which supports about four times the data transfer speed. Given that console games are pretty sizeable, Wi-Fi 7 will help reduce the download speeds by a significant margin. However, you must have a compatible router and data plan to benefit from the new feature.
PS5 Pro vs. PS5 Slim: Conclusion
With superior performance, better ray tracking, and higher storage, the PS5 Pro definitely offers a significant upgrade. However, one must have a monitor or TV that supports a 60Hz refresh rate to leverage all the new features. The same goes for the new console’s 8K output.
If you already own a PS5 and you use it for occasional casual gaming, you don’t really need to upgrade to the PS5 Pro. As the name suggests, the upgrade is for professionals or gamers who earn a living out of their consoles.
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