Sony’s latest PlayStation 5 Pro console is capable of running games at 8K resolution, but it’s not the core focus of the system. While this impressive capability is achieved through AI-powered upscaling, Sony is careful not to set expectations too high.
Gran Turismo 7, for instance, will utilize 8K resolution on the PS5 Pro, but this won’t be the case for all games. Sony is realistic about the fact that the PS5 Pro is a $699 console, not a high-end gaming PC with a hefty price tag. In a recent interview with IGN, Toshi Aoki, PlayStation Senior Principal Product Manager, stated that while 8K support exists, it’s not the main selling point of the PS5 Pro.
“So even with the PS5 Pro, we do have 8K games support, but that’s not our headline. It’s more of the cherry on the cake…if you are one of the small percentage of people who have an 8K TV, you could get that from supported games. It is something that we have to work together with developers and also the TV manufacturers in the future…But right now we are really focused on the main use cases, which is 4K TV owners having that high-level visual fidelity and playing at [60 FPS].”
Aoki also revealed that Sony started discussing the development of the PS5 Pro before the standard PS5 launched in November 2020. “We started discussing it before the PS5 actually came out…because the PS5 specs were already locked in. We were ready to launch and everything. We knew, of course, as you mentioned, technologies evolve every year.”
In essence, while the PS5 Pro provides 8K gaming capabilities, Sony is prioritizing a smooth 4K gaming experience at 60FPS for the majority of players. This demonstrates Sony’s commitment to delivering a high-quality gaming experience for the vast majority of gamers, while also offering an added benefit for those with 8K displays.
