By Sagar V. Mankar According to CNBC, Sony is likely planning to launch a refreshed, more powerful version of the PlayStation 5 console this year.
Dubbed the “PlayStation 5 Pro,” this rumored console refresh could be a strategic move to reignite interest in the PlayStation 5 and position it as a top-tier platform for the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI in 2025.
But what’s driving these whispers, and what can gamers expect from a potential PS5 Pro?
Is a PS5 Pro on the Horizon?
According to multiple analysts, there seems to be a consensus within the gaming industry that Sony is indeed preparing to launch a PlayStation 5 Pro in the second half of 2024.
This speculation gained traction after Sony recently cut its forecast for PS5 sales for the fiscal year ending in March 2024, from 25 million units to 21 million units.
Why a PS5 Pro Matters for Sony?
What’s the reasoning behind a mid-cycle console refresh?
- Historically, console manufacturers have introduced upgraded versions of their hardware a few years after the initial launch to reinvigorate sales and cater to the ever-increasing demand for better performance. Sony itself followed this strategy with the PlayStation 4 Pro, released three years after the base PS4.
Is the PS5 Pro a strategic move for Grand Theft Auto VI?
- According to Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, “Sony will want to make sure to have a great piece of hardware ready when GTA VI hits in 2025, a launch that will be a shot in the arm for the entire gaming industry.” A souped-up PS5 Pro could be the perfect platform to showcase the highly anticipated open-world game in all its glory.
Potential Upgrades and Improvements
While details about the PS5 Pro’s specifications are scarce, we can speculate on potential upgrades based on sources like Moore’s Law is Dead and past Project Trinity leaks:
Boosted Performance:
- 45% faster Rendering than PS5
- More computing power with 33.5 Teraflops – 3x of PS5
- Latest 8-core Zen 2 CPU at 4GHz
- RDNA 3 GPU at 2.8 GHz (60 compute units),
- 16GB GDDR6 RAM memory with 587 GB/s bandwidth.
Ray Tracing Prowess:
With ray tracing becoming a staple in modern gaming, a more capable GPU could unlock realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows.
- New PS5 Pro will will supports 2-3x Ray-tracing (x4 in some cases)
Expanded Storage:
- A larger SSD or even a hybrid solution combining SSD and HDD storage could address the storage constraints faced by many PS5 owners.
8K Support:
- Although 8K gaming is still in its infancy, a PS5 Pro could future-proof the console for the next generation of ultra-high-resolution displays.
AI Enhance
- The Trinity SoC includes a custom architecture for machine learning (ML), which will power Sony’s upscaling and anti-aliasing solution, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR).
Despite the potential excitement surrounding a PS5 Pro, Sony faces a delicate balancing act.
During its recent earnings call, the company acknowledged the need to “optimize sales with a greater emphasis on the balance with profits.”
This could mean that, unlike previous console generations, Sony might not cut the price of the base PS5 when the Pro model launches
PS5 Pro will be the best place to play GTA 6 it seems 👀🔥
• Expected to be released later this year by various analysts of the industry
• Report from Tom Henderson also targets the console for later this year
• Reports / Rumors put the console at about double the GPU… pic.twitter.com/NgD1DIplGJ
— TCMFGames (@TCMF2) February 22, 2024