The most powerful console of this generation

While mid-generation console updates are becoming more common, PlayStation 5 Pro deviates from the norm in some significant respects. The Xbox One X or PS4 Pro usually focuses on increasing hardware performance in an attempt to outperform current consoles. More RAM, better CPU and better GPU usually lead to increased graphics output due to sheer performance. However, with the PS5 Pro, Sony is doing just as much on the software side as it is on the hardware side, and for that reason the leap is bigger.

PlayStation 5 Pro design and specifications

For the most part, Sony has kept the aesthetics of the PlayStation 5 the same as the Pro model. It's a bit thinner because the console doesn't come with a disk drive, and there are some black rib-shaped grooves on the sides of the console's white covers to offer added cooling and a little extra style.

The PS5 Pro will lie on its side with some clear plastic stands included, or you can purchase a vertical stand separately. It's a shame that a vertical stand isn't included in the retail package, as many are probably used to that orientation on the base model PS5. Even without the stand, however, you can orient the PlayStation 5 Pro vertically, and unless you're prone to bumps or have a rabid animal, it should be fine.

Sony swapped the USB-A port on the front of the PS5 Pro for a USB-C port, so there are now two USB-C ports facing outwards, just above the power button. There are two USB-A ports on the back for those who might still need them for PS5 accessories like the Pulse Elite headset. The PS5 Pro comes with an HDMI 2.1 cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable, as well as a power cable, so you should be playing right out of the box.

What's in the PS5 Pro retail box:

• PlayStation 5 Pro console
• 1 DualSense controller
• USB-C to USB-A cable
• HDMI 2.1 cable
• Power cable
• 2 transparent plastic stands for horizontal orientation

Under the hood, the PlayStation 5 Pro packs more powerful hardware and more storage. The GPU now has a processing power of up to 16.7 teraflops, there is an additional 2 GB of RAM (although its DDR5 not DDR6) and most importantly the hard drive is 2 TB. Game file sizes are getting bigger and bigger, especially for titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6extra storage space cannot be underestimated.

PSSR is the PS5 Pro's secret weapon

Overall, the specs may not be as significant a jump as fans had hoped, but as mentioned, the biggest difference between the consoles lies in its upscaler software. Sony's upscaler, called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), helps PlayStation 5 Pro establish itself as the most powerful console experience on the market.

While the decision is up to the developer, some PS5 Pro Enhanced games offer players two options. Similar to the current generation of consoles, there is an option to prioritize performance for a higher frame rate at the cost of resolution, or prioritize fidelity for a lower frame rate experience. However, with PSSR, the baseline for fidelity or performance modes is much higher. For example, performance mode can work with a 1440p image and provide a frame rate higher than the typical 60 frames per second, or fidelity mode can provide true 4K resolution and drop to only 50 frames per second or 30 in the worst case.

Personal preference will ultimately determine which mode PS5 Pro owners choose, but the negatives of each mode are much smaller on this model. Performance mode no longer looks muddy, blurry or faded, and Fidelity mode can still feel smooth in comparison. And for some games there's just an enhanced PS5 Pro mode that gives you a little bit of column A and a little bit of column B. The frame rate is higher and the resolution is higher, upscaled by PSSR.

It's also worth noting that Sony has baked in a switch that tries to enhance any PS5 game, enhanced or not, but I haven't seen any improvements with this switch. If you were to look at the two presentations side by side, the edges would seem a bit sharper, but it was never at the level of enhanced games.

The list of PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced games is only going to grow, but right now it has a solid lineup of top-tier titles from the last few years. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth looks sharper and runs better, Resident Evil 4 remake is even more beautiful and offers a higher frame rate, Star Blade could eclipse 60 frames per second in both modes, and the wizards at Insomniac Games did Marvel's Spider-Man 2 even better by allowing you to turn on some Ray Tracing features and still aim for a higher frame rate than the base PS5. Yes, eventual PC versions of these games will struggle to deliver the ultimate 4K 120fps experience – especially with Nvidia's 50 series GPUs – but these are still beautiful presentations with solid performance.

The big question with the PlayStation 5 Pro is whether it's worth the $700+ price tag, and currently, without any major PS exclusives to “sell” the console, that answer is becoming nebulous. If you haven't kept up with the latest releases and want to experience games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Star Blade, God of War Ragnarokand Marvel's Spider-Man 2 in the best possible way, then the PS5 Pro is worth the investment. Likewise, if you want the best console on the market regardless of price, this is it.

However, if you own a high-end gaming PC and have already played most of those games, then it's less attractive. As someone who tries to keep up with the latest titles, I spent more time downloading games, checking their PS5 Pro graphics capabilities and then uninstalling them than playing any games. I'm not one to relive games because keeping up with current versions is overwhelming enough. That being said, I'm happy to have a PlayStation 5 Pro to prepare for future console-only titles or ones where the PC port isn't ideal (read: Unreal Engine stuttering). I am of course in a unique position and everyone will be different.

PlayStation 5 Pro Review: Final Thoughts

Mid-gen consoles are difficult to review for a number of reasons. They usually have a higher price; the current generation isn't going anywhere, so you won't be locked into platform exclusivity; and the next generation is always looming, making investing a risk. If you already own a PS5 and haven't yet felt the appeal of a Pro console, then that probably won't change before the PlayStation 6.

That being said, PSSR is a new technology for Sony and if it's anything like DLSS, the performance will only get better. Even now, however, PSSR is very impressive, and what it can do for current-gen games (that support it) will give PlayStation an edge when it comes to offering the best console experience.