The PlayStation 5 Pro continues to be one of the internet’s worst-kept secrets. It’s all but confirmed at this point. The only questions now are: when is the console coming out, is it substantially more powerful than the PS5, and how much is its price? But the latest buzz on the internet suggests an answer to at least one of these questions.
According to the most recent rumors, sourced from Moore’s Law Is Dead, the PS5 Pro’s teraflop count will jump from 10.28 to 33.5 – a 3x jump. This may translate to potentially smoother gameplay, sharper visuals, and groundbreaking features such as advanced ray tracing. Simply put, the PS5 Pro is going to make PS5 games look several times better when it comes out.
But while it would be a dream come true for most of us to have access to a console that may be as powerful as a decent PC set-up at a reasonable price point, we might have to exercise a healthy dose of skepticism first before we start saving up money to pre-order the PS5 Pro the moment is announced.
For starters, just because the teraflop count has tripled, this doesn’t mean performance will improve as much. Not to mention, a 4X improvement under ideal conditions, or as the source refers to it, “in some cases”, sounds a lot like something straight out every fanboy’s dream; it isn’t just going to happen.
Nevertheless, when the PS5 Pro does come out, it should be better than the base PS5. The PlayStation’s rumored answer to Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR, the PSSR (it stands for “PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution”) promises improved image quality as well as performance without requiring developers to tweak every game individually. This could pave the way for stunning 4K visuals and even a foray into 8K gaming, a resolution currently out of reach for most home consoles.
Ray tracing, a technique that simulates light in a more realistic way, is said to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the PS5 Pro. Leaks suggest that the mid-cycle upgrade could deliver two to four times better ray tracing performance, leading to more immersive and visually captivating experiences.
However, if the PS5 Pro does hit the store shelves, you’d best ready your wallet; Sony is not planning to cut prices on existing hardware anytime soon.
With the PS5 still retailing for $499 (save for promotional discounts), the PS5 Pro could carry a price tag as steep as $800. This raises questions about the console’s practicality and affordability – important discussions at a time when the prices of PlayStation exclusives and PS Plus have increased.
While the prospect of a console rivaling high-end PCs is enticing, Sony has a tightrope to walk. Delivering on these ambitious specs without alienating consumers with an exorbitant price tag will be key.
