This just in: Sony may price the PlayStation 5 Pro out of everyone’s reach.
According to industry insider Jeff Grubb, the PS5 Pro could retail for around $600, with some even suggesting a price closer to the $700 mark.
In comparison, the PlayStation 4 Pro retailed for $399 at launch in 2016, putting the PS5 Pro well beyond a typical gamer’s budget, even if you adjust the price of the PS4 Pro for inflation.
With enhanced graphics, faster load times, and improved performance, the PS5 Pro promises a premium gaming experience. However, these upgrades come at a cost, both in terms of research and development and the components required to deliver such performance.
Additionally, global economic factors are playing a significant role in console pricing strategies. Sony has already implemented price increases for the standard PS5 in a handful of regions outside of the United States, citing external environments and fluctuations in the global economy.
The most recent example of this pricing hike just happened in Japan, where Sony’s standard and Digital Edition PS5 consoles now cost up to $90 more.
The timing of the PS5 Pro’s rumored announcement and subsequent release might also play into its pricing. With Microsoft recently announcing a 2TB Xbox Series X priced at $600, Sony might feel confident enough to set a higher price point.
Also affected by the factors impacting the PS5 Pro pricing is the next Nintendo Switch console. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that Nintendo is delaying its release for as long as possible until it can guarantee that it will sell enough to cover for the projected loss of Nintendo Switch sales, which continues to dominate sales charts across the globe.
For potential buyers, the prospect of spending more than $500 for a console may turn off most, similar to what happened with the PlayStation 3, which sold for $599 at launch. Then again, the PS3 did go on to sell nearly 88 million units despite the initial backlash, a little over half of the numbers the PlayStation 2 pulled off—the best-selling video game console of all time.
Between the China Hero Project and an upcoming slate of first-party exclusives next year and Black Myth: Wukong likely to help drive sales for the PS5 Pro in China, Sony’s confidence in pricing the unannounced console so high isn’t surprising.
Not to mention, Sony has always had an excellent track record of selling premium gaming products outside of its mainline consoles. The PSVR 2, despite its high price tag, has seen strong sales. Even the PS Portal, which is literally just a $200 remote device, is selling well.
A $600 PS5 Pro would be out of reach for most but Sony doesn’t need it to cater to 90% of the market, but for those who want to see today’s games at their absolute best—and PSVR2 owners who want to enjoy higher framerates and better refresh rates—the PS5 Pro is an easy sell.
With that said, you won’t have much time to save up for the PS5 Pro. It’s expected to release before the year ends following a reveal next month at Tokyo Game Show 2024. Hideo Kojima is already teasing it on Twitter, which only adds to the hype.
Until Sony officially announces the PS5 Pro and its pricing, all of this info remains speculative. The actual price could vary from these predictions, and Sony may yet surprise us with a more competitive pricing strategy. However, given the current economic climate and the trend of increasing console prices, it seems unlikely that the PS5 Pro will come in at a lower price point than current estimates.
