PS5 vs PS5 Pro: how does the standard PlayStation 5 compare?
If you can't decide between the PS5 and PS5 Pro, we're here to highlight the differences
🆚 The PS5 and PS5 Pro appeal to two different audiences
💪 PS5 Pro is for those who want the very best visuals and performance possible
💰 However, the price is significantly higher than the PS5 at $699.99
👀 PS5 Pro enhanced games feature higher resolutions, frame rates and additional effects like ray tracing
A more powerful version of Sony’s console has joined the PS5: the PS5 Pro. Sony released its mid-gen refresh of the popular PlayStation 5 on November 7 and PS5 Pro pre-orders went live on September 26. But if you’re trying to decide between the PS5 vs PS5 Pro, which one is right for you?
We’ve put the two consoles head-to-head to help you reach an informed decision and save you the headache of trying to figure it all out on your own. Here’s what you need to know in a nutshell, though: the PS5 Pro is a more capable, powerful, and expensive version of the existing PS5 console.
It’s best to think of the PS5 Pro as the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max. It’s essentially the same thing, but with just a few extra bells and whistles for those who desire better-looking games. If you don't think that fits you, you will be more than satisfied with the current PS5.
For the best PlayStation gaming experience, consider looking into the PS5 Pro. Check out our PS5 vs PS5 Pro comparison below for everything you need to know.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro: price
The PS5 has kept its launch price of $499 in the US, which gave us a good sign of how much the PS5 Pro might cost. The PS5 Pro costs $699.99, and that’s without a disc drive or a vertical stand which must be purchased separately.
The release of the redesigned PS5 Slim didn’t usher in an expected price drop, breaking a trend that we’ve seen ever since the original PlayStation was released. The price of the PS5 Slim Digital Edition actually increased by $50 compared to its chunkier predecessor, too, which suggests Sony hasn’t been able to reduce manufacturing and shipping costs as much as it would like.
We already knew that the PS5 Pro would be more expensive than the PlayStation 5 because of its more powerful hardware, but it’s at the top of what most expected. A safe estimate was at least $599.99, which would have put it on a par with the PS3’s ill-fated launch price and $50 more than the struggling PSVR 2. However, Sony went further and is comfortable selling the console for $699.99.
Remember: the PS5 Pro doesn’t include a disc drive, which you’ll have to purchase separately for $79.99. You’ll also need to pay $29.99 for a vertical stand if you want to stand the console up and PS5 Slim covers don’t work either.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro: specs
The PS5 Pro specs leaked ahead of an official announcement from Sony, with multiple outlets confirming the same technical specifications. It turns out those rumors were true, as here’s how the PS5 vs PS5 Pro compare in specs.
💙 PS5 specs
💨 CPU/Clock Speeds: 8 core/16 Thread Zen 2 CPU at 3.5GHz
💪 GPU Compute Units/ Architecture: 36 CUs, RDNA 2
🚄 TFLOPs/GPU Clock Speed: 10.23TF/2.23GHz
💭 GDDR6 Memory: 16GB at 14Gbps
🎮 Memory Available For Games: 12.5GB
📏 Memory Interface/Bandwidth: 256-bit/448GB/s
💿 Storage: 825GB/1TB (Slim)
🤔 Disc drive: Yes
💙 PS5 Pro specs
💨 CPU/Clock Speeds: 8-core/16 thread Zen 2 CPU at 3.5GHz/3.85GHz
💪 GPU Compute Units/ Architecture: 60 CUs, RNDA 3
🚄 TFLOPs/GPU Clock Speed: 16.7TF/2.18GHz
💭 GDDR6 Memory: 16GB GDDR6 at 18Gbps and 2GB DDR5
🎮 Memory Available For Games: 13.7GB
📏 Memory Interface/Bandwidth: 256-bit/576GB/s
💿 Storage: 2TB
🤔 Disc drive: No
If the numbers above mean nothing to you, here’s a quick summary: PS5 Pro’s GPU is approximately 45% faster, the CPU remains the same but can be boosted by an additional 10%, and the console’s memory is 28% faster. The result is a console that can push more pixels and higher frame rates, as well as deliver up to a three times increase in ray tracing performance.
If you’ve felt like PS5 games don’t look as sharp as they should or run as smoothly as you’d like, the PS5 Pro’s higher specs should help. It should also increase the number of PS5 games with ray tracing support.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro: games
Not every title will benefit from the PS5 Pro’s increased power, but expect many of the best PS5 games to receive a patch that will increase a game’s resolution, frame rate or add ray tracing effects. There are over 80 PS5 Pro-enhanced games, and two 8K PS5 Pro games.
Sony has outlined a strict set of rules that developers must achieve if they want a game to be classed ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’. The ideal scenario is that a game will use the PS5 Pro’s PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling technology, maintain a 60fps frame rate and include ray tracing effects.
However, the PS5 Pro Enhanced label can be extended to existing PS5 games as long as the developer improves a title in one or four of the following ways:
Increased target resolution for titles that run a fixed resolution on the standard console
Increased target maximum resolution for titles that run at a variable resolution on the standard console
Increased target frame rate for titles that target a fixed frame rate on the standard console
Inclusion of PS5 Pro ray tracing effects
It means that a PS5 game can still be classified as PS5 Pro Enhanced if it increases its previous maximum resolution or adds ray tracing effects that weren't possible on the original PlayStation 5 console, even if it runs at 30fps.
The PS5 Pro will also include a “boost” mode that will improve the performance of PlayStation 5 games that aren’t enhanced. It sounds similar to the PS4 Pro’s boost mode, which helps certain games run at higher variable resolutions and more stable frame rates even if they don’t receive a dedicated patch.
Of course, every PS5 game that runs on the original PlayStation 5 will work on PS5 Pro. The only actual difference is that developers will enhance some games to take advantage of the Pro console’s extra power.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro: which one should you buy?
The PS5 Pro is aimed at those who want the very best gaming experience possible on PlayStation. It isn’t for everyone, as many will be more than satisfied with how games look and run on Sony’s current machine, or might not care about having the very best visuals possible.
PS5 Pro will probably appeal more to those who were lucky enough to get a PS5 at launch and weren’t at the mercy of waiting for a PS5 restock. The console turns four this November, which is when the PS5 Pro will release. The additional horsepower might reinvigorate your desire for gaming, or simply give you another reason to revisit older titles you loved. It should be the best place to play GTA 6, too.
You can’t go wrong with either system, but price is usually the determining factor for many. The standard PS5 is the cheaper of the two, and sometimes you can find a great deal that includes a game.
Last updated: November 12, 2024
Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.