The PlayStation 5 Pro, a high-tech console set to redefine gaming visuals, is finally here. Boasting a custom GPU and machine learning-powered AI upscaling, the console promises to deliver unprecedented performance, particularly in demanding games. However, the $700 price tag, a significant increase over the PlayStation 5 Slim, has left many scratching their heads.
In an interview with IGN, PlayStation senior principal product manager Toshi Aoki shed light on the hefty price. He emphasized that the PS5 Pro is a premium offering packed with advanced technologies designed to cater to a specific audience. “The technologies we’re putting in to deliver new experiences for game players, and also not just the technological differences, but the SSD, the Wi-Fi 7, and the new technologies that surround the gameplay as well,” he explained. “So it’s more of a full package that will give that exceptional value to the players…the most engaged players that we’re targeting.”
The price concerns extend beyond the console itself. Sony’s decision to omit a disc drive from the PS5 Pro, requiring a separate purchase for $80, further adds to the expense. While the PS5 Slim previously offered an option with a detachable disc drive, the Pro model leaves this choice entirely to the user. Aoki defended this decision, stating that Sony believes the PS5 Pro is a complete package, and not all players rely on physical discs. He noted, “It is an option for players. Not all players have discs, even though most players may…but we have the option for being able to add that for those players. So I think it’s more of the balance of the value proposition that we’re giving.”
Essentially, Sony acknowledges that the PS5 Pro targets a niche market of hardcore gamers willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge technology and performance. This places the console on par with a high-end custom gaming PC, although the PS5 Pro’s GPU features technology not yet available in any AMD PC. Early previews published on Wednesday suggest that for the right gamer, the PS5 Pro could be worth every penny. However, for the majority of gamers, this isn’t the mid-generation refresh they hoped for.
