The PlayStation 4 Pro came out three years after the PlayStation 4 hit the store shelves. Does this mean the PlayStation 5 Pro will be announced anytime soon? Probably, but don’t bet on it. While the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro were revealed on the same day, something tells us that the PS5 Pro’s unveiling won’t follow a similar pattern. And, by something, we mean a certain someone.
Tom Henderson, who had previously leaked correct information about PlayStation Portal, among others, couldn’t help but tell everyone, “I told you so.”
In a reply to an inquisitive fan about the PS5 Pro on X regarding when it might come out, Henderson said that it will “probably” be released by November 2024.
Nov 2024 probably
— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) October 10, 2023
A mid-generation launch that lets Sony stake its claim on the title of the “most powerful console ever made” should be of interest to Sony if only as added fodder in the perpetual console wars. As much as Microsoft might have waved the white flag, claiming that it won’t release a mid-generation refresh, the recent leaks suggest otherwise. Even if a mid-cycle upgrade to the Xbox Series X isn’t coming, Sony needs all the help that it can get once Activision Blizzard falls under the Microsoft umbrella, paving the way for Call of Duty and Diablo 4 to hit the Xbox Game Pass, regardless of what Activision Blizzard might have to say about it.
Design-wise, we’re expecting the PS5 Pro to take similar queues to the PS4 Pro. In other words, it’ll be a behemoth. The PS5 Slim couldn’t really do much to reduce the amount of space that the OG PS5 design takes, which means the PS5 Pro will likely adopt a taller and thicker design to make room for its more powerful hardware and a potentially better cooling solution.
Sony has already established its willingness to abandon the plate covers of the original PS5, but the side plates will stay. It’s easier to maintain the PS5 and even install an additional SSD because of this design choice. If the PS4 Pro added a third layer the PS5 Pro could do the same. If this happens, older audiences might call the PS5 Pro, the PS5 Phat, paying homage to the term used to refer to the OG models of the first three PlayStation consoles.
Performance-wise is where things might get tricky. The PS5 is an extremely powerful console, just a shade behind the Xbox Series X. Neither lived up to the promise of running most games at 4K and 120FPS but both have shown that it’s capable of doing so in certain games. Perhaps the PS5 Pro may solve this problem. However, it’s unlikely that the PS5 will target 8K, considering that it isn’t as widespread at the moment and likely won’t be for the foreseeable future. As much as Sony might want to use the PS5 Pro to help push the sales of 8K TVs, the tangible leap from 4K isn’t as noticeable as, let’s say, 1080p to 4K and 720p to 1080p before that.
The way that we see it, the PS5 Pro could be the dagger that Sony needs to bury the Xbox this generation because of the company’s decision to release the Xbox Series S.
As a growing number of developers, including Remedy Entertainment, WB Games Montreal, and Larian Studios, speak out against the performance disparity between the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X (and by extension, the PlayStation 5), it won’t be all too surprise for some developers to turn to Sony and the PS5 Pro. The allure of a massive payday and support from signing an exclusivity deal, even if timed, is already too much to pass up for smaller studios. When you add in the possibility of being able to showcase their games at 4K at 120FPS exclusively on the PS5 Pro (or maybe even at 8K at 30FPS), studios will lineup for a shot at pushing the still-unconfirmed console to its limits.
Technically speaking, the PS5 Pro isn’t necessary yet. Unreal Engine 5, which is the de-facto engine of most studios for this generation, is still in its relative infancy. Developers still haven’t found ways to fully optimize it yet to get the most out of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. But, more power never hurt anyone, especially if incentivizes the industry to reach for newer graphical heights.
For now though, it might not be prudent to wait for a PS5 Pro. Whether you’re upgrading from a PS4 or PS4 Pro or you haven’t bought a new console yet, you’re better off getting one as soon as you can. Yes, a PS5 Pro will likely get you far more for your money. However, as it is, the PS5 is already excellent with a wide selection of games that you can enjoy. Besides, just think about how much fun you’ll be missing out on if you wait.
Between Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you already have two of what’s likely going to be the best PS5 games ever coming out on October 20 and February 29, 2024, respectively.
