The PlayStation 5 Pro, a new version of the 2020 video game console that Sony Interactive Entertainment announced today with several new features, including a GPU upgrade, advanced ray tracing, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (i.e., AI-driven upscaling) technology, will sell just as well as the PS4 Pro despite its $699.99 MSRP and substantially higher price point differential, according to the latest predictions from Piers Harding-Rolls, research director for games at Ampere Analysis. Many players do not seem to agree, with some pointing out that the system, which costs up to $200 more than the base models, doesn’t even come with a disc drive or vertical stand.
Ampere Analysis writes:
- “The price point differential between the PS5 and PS5 Pro is between 40-50%, which is significantly more than the differential between the PS4 and PS4 Pro at launch.”
- “In the US, the PS4 Pro launched at $399 and the slim PS4 was $299 at the time, a 33% differential.”
- “Additionally, the slim PS4 had a retail price of $299 having dropped from the original PS4 launch price of $399.”
- “We expect the price point to soften demand with some consumers, but for PlayStation enthusiasts the pricing is less of a consideration.”
Critics are saying:
- “SIX HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE US DOLLARS…DISC DRIVE NOT INCLUDED”
- “700 USD and no disk drive? LMAO Arrogant Sony in full swing.”
- “$700 for no disk drive is crazy. I’m not paying almost $800 to play a console with a disk drive. $700 for physical may have been acceptable, but digital only for that price is absurd”
- “I hope to God Microsoft doesn’t exit the console market. PS6 probably gonna cost near $1000 at this rate.
- “I am PC so I have no horse in this race”
A look at how well the PS5 Pro might sell:
Sony on its latest console:
We kept the look of the PS5 Pro consistent with the overall PS5 family of products. You’ll notice the height is the same size as the original PS5, and the width is the same size as the current PS5 model to accommodate higher performance specs. Players can add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive, or swap out console covers when they become available.