The gaming world is abuzz with speculation about a rumored PlayStation 5 Pro, a potential mid-generation upgrade for the existing PS5. Much like the PS4 Pro, this new console aims to bridge the gap between the current generation and the anticipated PlayStation 6. While Sony remains tight-lipped, numerous leaks have emerged, painting a picture of what the PS5 Pro might offer.
Release Date and Developer Kits
Multiple sources point to a Fall 2024 release window, specifically between September and November. Reports suggest that development kits have been distributed to developers, and games enhanced for the PS5 Pro are scheduled for certification in August. This timeline strongly hints at a launch later this year. Notably, prominent industry insider Jeff Grubb has even pinpointed September as the potential release month.
There’s speculation that Sony wants the PS5 Pro out in time for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a highly anticipated title. The console could potentially offer the best performance for this game, a factor that could drive sales. However, despite the lack of official confirmation, Tom Henderson, another well-known insider, claims that the documentation he’s seen doesn’t indicate any delays, and developers are still working with testing kits to optimize games for the PS5 Pro.
Price and Potential Specs
While the price remains a mystery, it’s safe to assume that the PS5 Pro will be more expensive than its predecessor. A $100 price increase, bringing the cost to $600 or higher, seems plausible.
Leaks from reputable sources like Moore’s Law is Dead, corroborated by IGN and Insider Gaming, suggest a significant power bump for the PS5 Pro. It’s rumored to boast 67 teraflops of compute power compared to the base PS5’s 10.28 teraflops. Additionally, the console may feature a larger memory capacity, jumping from 448GB to 576GB, and a 10% faster CPU. Tom Henderson reports that the PS5 Pro will prioritize ray tracing and rendering speeds, potentially delivering a 45% speed increase and even 8K graphics support.
One crucial detail highlighted by multiple sources is that the PS5 Pro won’t force players to choose between graphics and performance modes. Instead, it will offer the best visuals at the highest frame rates by default. While not explicitly stated, it’s widely believed that the PS5 Pro will be backward compatible with all existing PS5 games, and there won’t be any exclusives. Furthermore, improved performance for the PSVR2 is expected but hasn’t been as heavily discussed.
Enhanced Label and Performance Boost
The Verge claims to have obtained information about the requirements for games to receive an “enhanced” label for the PS5 Pro. Interestingly, an improved frame rate isn’t a requirement. Games that increase the target resolution, whether at a fixed or variable rate, or enable ray tracing effects, can qualify for the label. Even a game that jumps from 30 FPS to 60 FPS, with no other improvements, can be considered “enhanced.”
Digital Foundry has reported that the PS5 Pro might have 33.5 teraflops of compute power, representing a 227% increase over the base PS5. However, not all of that power will be usable, resulting in a roughly 45% performance boost. The L0 and L1 caches, responsible for GPU performance, are rumored to double in size, leading to a significant improvement in ray tracing capabilities.
While these leaks provide a glimpse into the potential PS5 Pro, it’s essential to remember that nothing is official until Sony makes an announcement. Until then, we can only speculate and wait with anticipation for what the future holds for PlayStation.
