Summary
ThePS5has been around for a few years, and it’s still a relatively powerful console. However, there are rumors and reports of an improved mid-generation console in store. Nicknamed the PS5 Pro, reports claim that it’ll have impressive specs that will allow games to run with better performance, although Sony hasn’t confirmed anything yet.
This is all exciting news, but there are several questions that arise, one of them concerning how much this advanced tech will cost. ThePS5is already a capable device, so a PS5 Pro with a high price tag will be a hard sell. Sony has a history of not being particularly sensitive when it comes to pricing its devices.
Sony and Microsoft Use Different Pricing Strategies
It appears that in this gaming generation, Sony and Microsoft are abiding by different playbooks. Microsoft has opted to go the budget route andoffers the cheaper Xbox Series S. If reports are true, Sony will be going the opposite direction and offering a console that is more powerful than its current offering. Time will tell which strategy is the successful one.
Sony will have to work hard to convince players that a PS5 Pro is worth it considering the relatively short list of PS exclusives this year. However, this could be mended with titles likeInsomniac’s Wolverine game. Existing games could also receive patches to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s enhancements.
What to Expect From PS5 Pro
Reports are mainly coming fromindustry insider Tom Henderson. Supposedly, the upcoming console will have various improvements, including 45% faster rendering, support for 8K resolution, and 2-3x ray-tracing. The report also claims that the console will launch in the fall.
Sony’s Problematic History with Pricing
Sony doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to pricing its products to suit consumer expectations. Most notably, thePS3 launched for $499 in 2006, which amounts to $768.12 in 2024 when accounting for inflation. Things weren’t made any better when the response to the outcry was Sony’s Ken Kutaragi stating that the goal was for “consumers to think to themselves ‘I will work more hours to buy one’”.
A similar sceneplayed out with the PS VR2. Although it is one of the best VR headsets on the market, it also comes with a $550 price tag, which is almost the same price as the PS5. If the PS5 Pro isn’t carefully priced, it may find itself underselling as it attracts only the most avid players willing to fork over the cash.
How Much is Too Much For the PS5 Pro?
The PS4 hit shelves in 2013for $399, and the PS4 Pro made its appearance in 2016 for the same price. It would be wise for Sony to employ a similar strategy with the upcoming console, keeping it within reach of consumers who were able to afford the original console.
It should be noted that none of the reports have been confirmed or denied officially, so there is still no certainty that aPS5 Pro is in the works. If the reports are true, it would be an interesting moment in gaming, as it would represent a massive divergence between Sony and Microsoft’s strategies.
PS5
Sony’s PlayStation 5 is part of the ninth console generation and debuted with a launch lineup that included Demon’s Souls and Astro’s Playroom. The console comes with a Blu-ray disc, although a digital-only edition is also available for a cheaper price.
