PS5 Pro Release Date, Specifications & New Features

In the dynamic world of gaming, Sony’s PlayStation has stood out as a leading force, consistently pushing the limits of what’s achievable.

As gamers eagerly anticipate the next release, rumors and speculations about the PS5 Pro are circulating. This article explores the most recent details, comparing them with the PS5 and the PS4 Pro to provide a thorough insight into what lies ahead.

Key Takeaways

• The PS5 Pro is rumored to launch in late 2024, expanding on the success of the PS5 and adapting to the changing gaming landscape.
• The PlayStation 5 Pro, codenamed “Project Trinity,” is expected to use modern AMD technologies such as the Zen 4 CPU architecture, RDNA 3 graphics, and a significant speed boost.
• Leaked information suggests a detachable Blu-ray player, offering players an all-digital option, and improvements to the DualSense controller to address battery life and dead zone issues.
• The potential price is estimated at $499, similar to the launch price of the PS5 Disc Edition, but speculations range from $600 to $700 due to uncertainties in internal specifications and supply chain challenges.
• While leaks and industry insiders strongly indicate the existence of a PS5 Pro, an official confirmation from Sony is awaited. Gamers should approach these details with caution until an official announcement is made.

Release Date (Expected)

Expected: Late 2024

Speculation about the release date of the PS5 Pro has been buzzing since 2021, just a year after the PS5’s launch. In September of that year, YouTuber Moore’s Law is Dead hinted at a potential arrival of the PS5 Pro by 2023, but that prediction didn’t pan out.

The current online rumor points to a 2024 release for the PS5 Pro, with the second half of the year being the most likely. Two particularly reliable sources contributing to this speculation are Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming and gaming personality Jeff Grub.

Henderson, known for accurate PlayStation hardware leaks, has consistently claimed a November 2024 launch. Similarly, Grub, recognized for reliable leaks, although not infallible, suggested a September 2024 release on his Game Mess podcast.

While disagreements over the exact release month persist, the convergence of these respected sources lends credibility to a late 2024 launch. Considering the fast pace of gaming hardware evolution and the age of the PS5, now over three years old, a more powerful variant in 2024 seems plausible.

Moreover, industry dynamics and Sony’s likely strategy of creating a gap between the PS5 Pro and a potential PS6 launch in 2026 or 2027 contribute to the anticipation.

Specs & Features

Expected CPU/GPU: AMD Zen 4 / RDNA 3 or 3.5

Other features include a specialised AI chip, DualSense 2.0 controller, and detachable Blu-ray

The upcoming PS5 Pro, allegedly codenamed “Project Trinity,” aims to revolutionize gaming with a significant graphics rendering power increase compared to its predecessor.

Rumored specifications for the PS5 Pro include an enhanced AMD APU featuring Zen 4 CPU architecture and RDNA 3 graphics, promising exceptional gaming performance. There are even suggestions that the hardware might exceed current expectations, possibly incorporating Zen 5 CPU and RDNA 3.5 graphics technology, representing the next step in AMD hardware evolution.

Reportedly leaked specifications from last year include an 8-core Zen 4 CPU, 30 WGP, 60 CU, iGPU based on RDNA 3 or RDNA 3.5, and an APU with 96 ROPs. The console is said to utilize a TSMC 5/4nm process, with a CPU clocking at 3.6 GHz, GPU at 2.7 GHz, 16 GB GDDR6 with 18,000 mt/s memory, and an impressive 23.04 TFLOPs.

While RDNA 2 may be showing its age, RDNA 3 promises a 50% increase in performance-per-watt compared to RDNA 2, with improvements expected in rasterization and ray-tracing performance.

Additional reports suggest the PS5 Pro may feature a dedicated AI engine called the ‘Neural Processing Unit’ and a hybrid-core design (Zen 5 and Zen 5c) for increased computing power. The console is reportedly in advanced development stages, with game developers receiving development kits to optimize their upcoming titles.

The PS5 Pro’s reported 23.04 TFLOPs would give it twice the raw processing power of the current PlayStation 5. This could lead to smoother performance in existing games that struggle to maintain a consistent 60 FPS and improve the performance of PS5 games that include ray-tracing.

While the PS5 technically supports 8K resolution, it currently limits its output to 4K. Only one game, The Touryst, technically runs at 8K, but the PS5 downscales it to 4K before displaying it on your screen.

With the PS5 Pro potentially offering native 8K output, developers may be inspired to push the boundaries of visual fidelity in console gaming.

Additional Hardware

Detachable Blu-ray Player & New Controller?

Speculation suggests that the PS5 Pro might feature a detachable Blu-ray player, similar to the new PS5 Slim. This feature would offer players an all-digital option for the Pro variant, potentially available as a $70 accessory. This innovative design would enable players to switch seamlessly between physical discs and digital downloads, providing a level of flexibility not found in the original PS5 models.

Rumors also hint at Sony addressing concerns with the DualSense Wireless Controller through a second iteration. A new controller, reportedly seen on a BestBuy Canada listing, aims to extend the controller’s short battery life to 12 hours. However, the listing was quickly removed and replaced with the standard DualSense listing, leaving us to wait for further confirmation if this was an error or a genuine leak.

PS5 vs. PS5 Pro Specifications

Price Comparison: PS5 Pro vs. PS5 vs. PS4 Pro

Expected Price: $600 (€560, £480)

Speculation suggests that the PS5 Pro will likely be more expensive than its predecessor, the PS4 Pro, which debuted at $399 in 2016. The PS5 Pro could potentially be priced at $499, aligning with the launch price of the PS5 Disc Edition in 2020.

Sony has a history of introducing Slim variants at the same price point, providing flexibility in their product lineup. With the PS5 Pro on the horizon, Sony faces a decision between launching a more powerful device or offering discounts on the slimline consoles to appeal to a broader market.

The naming convention “PS5 Pro” follows Sony’s pattern for upgraded consoles, similar to the release of the PS4 Pro three years after the PS4.

Speculation on the PS5 Pro’s price range varies from $600 to $700, reflecting assumptions about typical price differentials across models. However, uncertainties about internal specifications and ongoing supply chain pressures make any estimate challenging, leaving $600 as a reasonable projection for a slightly higher-end model.

FAQs

Will there be a PS5 Pro?

Most likely, yes. Sony has not officially confirmed anything, but several leaks and industry sources clearly point to the existence of a PS5 Pro.

Will the PS5 Pro be superior to the PS5?

If the leaked specifications are accurate, the PS5 Pro is expected to offer significant improvements over the standard PS5, featuring enhanced graphics rendering power and additional features.

How much will the PS5 Pro cost?

Some leaks indicate a price range of $600 to $700, while others suggest a price of $499, which corresponds to the PS5 Disc Edition’s debut pricing.

Final Words

The rumored late 2024 release of the new PS5 Pro promises to be a gaming powerhouse, featuring advanced AMD technology. It’s expected to be priced between $499 and $600.

If the leaks are accurate, the console could introduce a detachable Blu-ray player and address issues with the DualSense controller.

Sony may face a challenge in convincing existing PS5 owners to upgrade, but if gamers can enjoy 8K gaming and improvements like ray-tracing without compromising resolution or framerate, the cost may be justified.

However, due to uncertainties and supply chain challenges, it’s wise to approach these details with caution until an official announcement from Sony.