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I’m a lifelong PlayStation fan. My very first gaming console was the PS1 in 1999, which was quickly replaced by the PS2 when it came out in 2000—and remains my favorite console of all time. In a way, gaming also fueled my writing career; it was the topic of my first writing assignment in grade school, when my teacher dubbed my report on a Rocket Power video game “fascinating.” All that to say, when Sony launched the PlayStation 5 Pro ($699), an updated take on the PS5 that was released in November 2024, I couldn’t wait to see how it compared to previous iterations. And if it lived up to the hype.
Here are my experiences with the console so far.
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The PS5 vs. PS5 Pro: What’s the Difference?
The PS5 and PS5 Pro are plenty similar, but there are a couple of key differences. For starters, the Pro has noteworthy performance upgrades, such as an improved GPU and advanced ray tracing that, in turn, make the visuals incredibly crisp and clear—without lagging. Another factor contributing to the improved visuals: The PS5 Pro includes an AI-powered resolution upscaling system, something that wasn’t present on the original design when it came out five years ago. As such, the standard PS5 is priced anywhere between $400 and $450, with the Pro retailing for $699. A lot has changed from a technology/gaming standpoint, just even within these past five years, so I personally consider the Pro something of an in-between to bridge the gap for gamers until the PS6, which, according to some gaming insiders, won’t be here until 2029. That four-year wait time is the biggest reason why I decided to invest in the Pro.
The Setup
Jael Rucker for PureWow
The setup for the PlayStation 5 Pro is very straightforward, as the design is lightweight, and the instructions are easy to follow. All you have to do is put one end of the included HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT port on the rear of the console, and then insert the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI input on your display device. From there, you insert the AC power cable into the AC IN connector, plug the AC power plug into an electrical outlet and then you’re good to go.
The Experience
Jael Rucker for PureWow
I also upgraded my television to a QLED display last year, so, visually speaking, this is the most stunning experience I’ve ever had with a PlayStation. This QLED display provides a wider color palette that makes images more vibrant and accurate, so when you combine those details with the enhanced frame rate and image clarity the PS5 Pro comes with, what you get in return is an immersive, innovative 4K display that is incredibly detailed (you can literally see every single spec and feature on the characters, objects and buildings). My PS5 Pro automatically came with MLB The Show 25 ($70; $40), and while I didn’t actually play that game, I did use the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the visuals. I’m not kidding when I say the players look real. You can literally see the sweat droplets on their forehead, and the developers were incredibly detailed within their process, making sure to nail certain individualistic features such as tattoos, scars and birthmarks.
My game of choice? Why, none other than Hogwarts Legacy ($27), of course, which is one of the games that have been automatically upgraded for the PS5 Pro experience. That’s my only real complaint with this system— not every game in the PlayStation catalog is optimized for the full Pro experience. That means even if you own the Pro, those upgraded features won’t be present if the game itself hasn’t been upgraded, which calls into question whether or not the extra $300 for the Pro is worth the investment.
There are additional features aside from the visuals, however, that are worth calling out. For example, the PS5 Pro comes with 2TB of storage, which is two times more than the regular PS5. Per Sony, the PS5 is also designed to handle ray tracing more efficiently, resulting in more realistic lighting and reflections. The performance speed of the games is super-fast as well—no lagging or freezing, which honestly hasn’t been much of a problem for me since my PS3 days (perhaps before).
Final Thoughts
Walmart
While I’m definitely getting enjoyment out of my PS5 Pro, I would only recommend making the splurge on the Pro if you haven’t already purchased a PS5 and/or are an avid gamer, serious about your visuals and performance. If you do fall into these categories, however, I think you will appreciate the enhanced features and quality, making it very much worth the splurge, in my book. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
$699 at walmart
$700 at playstation
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