Sony PlayStation 5 v PlayStation 5 Pro: Should you upgrade?

The PlayStation 5 Pro has officially landed, and if you’re a proud owner of a PlayStation 5, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth shelling out an extra $700 for the upgrade. If you don’t own a PlayStation 5 yet, the decision is even trickier—do you go for the OG PlayStation 5 or dive straight into the Pro?

With promises of enhanced performance, improved visuals, and more storage, the PlayStation 5 Pro seems like the ultimate console. But is it truly a game-changer, or just an incremental upgrade? Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision.

In this guide, we’ll give you a rundown of everything you need to know about both Sony PlayStation consoles to make the right call.

1/ Performance & Graphics

The PlayStation 5 Pro boasts a 67% increase in GPU Compute Units and 28% faster memory, which means it can render games up to 45% faster than the PlayStation 5. It also features PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony’s version of AI upscaling (think NVIDIA’s DLSS). This makes compatible games sharper while keeping a high frame rate.

However, the catch is that not all games are PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced. If a game isn’t optimized for the Pro, the performance boost might not be as significant. But for games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and The Last of Us II Remastered, the improvements are clear, better ray tracing, higher frame rates, and sharper visuals. If you’re into high-end graphics and already have a 120Hz TV with VRR support, the Pro makes a difference. Otherwise, the standard PlayStation 5 still holds its own.

2/ Ray Tracing & AI Upscaling

Both consoles support ray tracing, but the PlayStation 5 Pro takes it a step further. Games designed to take advantage of the Pro’s improved hardware showcase more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows. However, just like with the performance boost, this only applies to a select list of PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced games. If the game you’re playing isn’t optimized for the Pro, you won’t see a massive improvement.

3/ Storage

The PlayStation 5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, doubling the 1TB storage on the PlayStation 5 Slim and significantly improving over the 825GB of the original PlayStation 5. With game sizes ballooning (Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is 146.5GB and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is 149GB), extra storage is a big deal. More storage means fewer headaches about deleting and redownloading games, so you might want to go with PlayStation 5 Pro on this.

4/ Wi-Fi & Connectivity

The PlayStation 5 Pro supports Wi-Fi 7, whereas the standard PlayStation 5 is capped at Wi-Fi 6. This might not seem like a big deal now, but as internet speeds and gaming services evolve, having a future-proofed console could pay off. If you’re big on online gaming and downloads, the Pro’s upgraded Wi-Fi could be useful in the long run.

5/ Disc Drive

Here’s where the PlayStation 5 Pro stumbles, the base model has no disc drive. If you buy physical games or own a collection of PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5 discs, you’ll need to purchase the Sony Disc Drive separately for $80. That means your total cost goes up to nearly $800, making it a hefty investment. On the other hand, the standard PlayStation 5 with a disc drive is $499, and you’re good to go without extra purchases. If you prefer digital games, this won’t matter much. But if you still love physical media, the PlayStation 5 is the better choice.

6/ Price

The PlayStation 5 Pro comes in at a whopping $699.99, making it the most expensive PlayStation console yet. That’s $200 more than the PlayStation 5 Slim (with a disc drive) and $250 more than the all-digital PlayStation 5. If you want a disc drive for the Pro, that’s an extra $80, pushing your total close to $800. If budget is a concern, the standard PS5 wins this round. You can take that extra $200 and grab a few new games instead.

Conclusion

If you already have a PlayStation 5, upgrading to the Pro depends on how much you care about graphics, performance, and storage. If you have a 120Hz display, want the best visuals, and need more space, the Pro is a solid investment.

However, if your PS5 still runs fine and you’re not in a rush for sharper visuals, there’s no urgent need to upgrade, especially since only a limited number of games are Pro Enhanced right now. For new buyers, the regular PlayStation 5 offers the best value. It’s $200 cheaper, includes a disc drive (if you get the right model), and still delivers excellent 4K gaming.

If you’re a casual gamer or on a budget, stick with the PlayStation 5. If you want the best graphics and performance, go for the PlayStation 5 Pro (especially if you have a high-end TV). Either way, you’ll be getting one of the best gaming consoles on the market.

The real winner? PlayStation gamers.