PS5 Pro vs. PS5: Which Console Will You Press ‘Start’ With?

Sony’s new cross-gen PlayStation console is out now, and many gamers areconflicted about which model will come out on top in the PS5 Pro vs. PS5 fight. With more than 65 million PS5 owners are already out there in the world, we can bet a few are already considering upgrading to the PS5 Pro.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the features of the PS5 Pro compared to the PS5 and will provide all you have to know about these consoles to choose the best option for your gaming needs.

The Evolution of the PS5 Pro: How We Got Here

The original PS5 was released back in 2020. This already-popular base model was then replaced by a slimmer model in 2023. Even now, with the PS5 Pro out, the standard model will still be available to purchase as a more affordable option for users.

Just like the PS4 Pro, the PS5 Pro is a mid-generation upgrade that will offer better performance and visual experience for PS5 games. However, lovers of the old model do not need to worry, as all games will be available on both models. Unlike the base model that is available in the disk drive and digital models, the PS5 Pro is only available in one digital mode. Users can purchase and install the disk drive separately.

How the Design and Dimensions Stack Up

The design of the PS5 Pro is similar to the base model, but there are a few differences that make it sleeker. Both consoles have a futuristic look to them, and their default color is white. However, owners can customize the outside of the machine with a vibrant array of console covers from Sony. When PS5 was first launched, its big, bulky design surprised many people. Nevertheless, as time went on, the newer, more manageable model eventually replaced its cumbersome predecessor.

The base PS5 model now measures in at about 4.1 x 3.8 x 8.8 inches. With its 15.2 x 3.5 x 8.5 inches dimensions, the PS5 Pro is taller and more similar to the original PS5. However, in terms of width and depth, it is much slimmer. Moreover, with a weight of 3.1kg, the PS5 Pro is slightly heavier than the digital version of the base model (2.6kg). This means that you can expect to clear a little bit of extra space in your gaming setup, if you intend to upgrade in the near future. 

The Inside Scoop on the Storage Capacity

With game file sizes getting bigger every year, gamers demand more storage on their consoles. The base PS5 model offers 1 TB of storage. The PS5 Pro offers a huge upgrade in this department, with 2 TB at your disposal to easily store more content on the console.

Since all models of PS5 support expandable internal NVMe M.2 SSDs up to 8 TB, many PS5 users have been adding additional storage to their consoles in order to have the freedom to install more games without deleting the existing ones. With the PS5 Pro, users will immediately have access to more space on the console, without the need to spend more on storage. In some cases, this improvement may even eliminate the need for additional drives, entirely. On top of the internal SSD storage expansion slot, users can also take advantage of an external USB-based HDD or SSD with a maximum of 8 TB to store and transfer their data.

PS5 vs PS5 Pro Hardware Specs

The main point of releasing a mid-generation console such as PS5 Pro is to offer a better performance than the base model, through subtle hardware improvements. PS5 Pro is significantly more powerful than PS5, especially in terms of GPU. It has 67% more compute units than the base model, and the upgraded memory, which is 28% faster. Moreover, the PS5 Pro is equipped with Wi-Fi 7, which can boost internet connectivity considerably.

So considering that the PS5 Pro doesn’t have a disk drive out of the box, a faster internet connection for digital game downloads can come in very handy. Other components, such as the CPU, are the same in both models. Although both devices are mighty, there are things you should avoid doing on PS5 to ensure you have the best experience possible, and don’t forget to take good care of your machine.

The finer details of how the PS5 vs PS5 Pro compare, in terms of hardware components, have been outlined below:

PS5

• CPU: Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 Variable Frequency up to 3.5 GHz
• Memory: 16 GB / 256-bit GDDR6 SDRAM
• Storage: 1 TB
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Custom AMD RDNA 2 36 CUs – Variable Frequency up to 2.23 GHz – 10.28 TFLPOS peak
• Sound: Custom Tempest Engine 3D Audio – Dolby Atmos – 7.1 surround sound
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
• Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 – 1 x USB-C with USB 2.0 – 1 x USB-C with USB 3.2 – 1 x HDMI 2.1

PS5 Pro

• CPU: Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 Variable Frequency up to 3.5 GHz
• Memory: 16 GB / 256-bit GDDR6 SDRAM + 2 GB DDR5 RAM
• Storage: 2 TB
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Custom AMD RDNA 3 60 CUs – Variable Frequency up to 2.18 GHz – 16.7 TFLPOS peak
• Sound: Custom Tempest Engine 3D Audio – Dolby Atmos – 7.1 surround sound
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
• Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 – 1 x USB-C with USB 2.0 – 1 x USB-C with USB 3.2 – 1 x HDMI 2.1

An In-Depth Exploration of Performance and Graphics Output

With the hardware upgrade for the PS5 Pro, you might ask what the difference is between the PS5 Pro vs PS5 on the TV screen. Thanks to the upgraded GPU and memory, the PS5 Pro provides 45% faster rendering overall for gameplay. This makes the experience smoother and lets the game developers build better performance modes that can run games on 60 frames per second or more.

Furthermore, the PS5 Pro is equipped with AI-driven upscaling technology known as PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) that can upscale game resolution based on machine learning. This means players can access super sharp image clarity and detail on their 4K, or even 8K TVs. Unlike the PS5 experience, users don’t have to choose between good performance and resolution anymore. They can now have both at the same time.

In addition, Sony is doubling down on advanced ray tracing with the PS5 Pro, to provide more dynamic reflection and lighting. With this more powerful ray tracing, the rays are cast at double — and sometimes even triple — the speed of the base PS5 model.

With all that said, the PS5 is still considered a powerful console that offers acceptable performance and resolution for most AAA games, with many games offering 60 frames per second modes and 1080p to 4K resolution. However, if you want the best output possible for your games, PS5 Pro is the most powerful PlayStation console that can satisfy your high-performance expectations.

Understanding the Supported Games and Backward Compatibility

All the upcoming PlayStation games of the current generation will be available for both PS5 and PS5 Pro. It has been confirmed that there won’t be any exclusive titles only for PS5 Pro. Moreover, all the previously released PS5 games will be available to play on PS5 Pro. The major difference here is that there will be games that will offer additional performance and image quality modes, just for PS5 Pro.

Furthermore, there are more than 50 already-released games that received PS5 Pro updates to provide key enhancements, such as advanced ray tracing, smooth 60hz and 120hz frame rates, and highly detailed image quality. These titles include:

• Alan Wake 2
• Albatroz
• Apex Legends
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• EA Sports College Football 25
• Dead Island 2
• Demon’s Souls
• Diablo IV
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Dragon’s Dogma 2
• Dying Light 2 Reloaded Edition
• EA Sports FC 25
• Enlisted
• F1 24
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Fortnite
• God of War Ragnarök
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
• Kayak VR: Mirage
• Lies of P
• Lords of the Fallen (2023)
• Madden NFL 25
• Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Naraka: Bladepoint
• NBA 2K25
• No Man’s Sky
• Palworld
• Paladin’s Passage
• Planet Coaster 2
• Professional Baseball Spirits 2024-2025
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil 4
• Resident Evil Village
• Rise of the Ronin
• Rogue Flight 
• Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
• Star Wars: Outlaws
• Stellar Blade
• Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown
• The Crew Motorfest
• The Finals
• The First Descendant 
• The Last of Us Part I
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered
• Until Dawn
• War Thunder
• Warframe
• World of Warships: Legends

Both PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles are backward compatible with the PS4 console. That’s great news for PlayStation loyalists, as it means that if you own a PS4 game, you can easily run them on your PS5. Some of them even received updates to run better on PS5 consoles.

Sadly, there is no backward compatibility with PS3, PS2, or PS1 games. However, there are selected PS2 and PS1 games that have been ported to the PS4/PS5 ecosystem. The PS3 games that don’t have remastered, or remade versions are only playable through the PlayStation Plus Premium service’s cloud streaming feature, and don’t actually run on the PS5 consoles.

The Vertical Stand and Disc Drive Change

The original PS5 launched in 2020 with a vertical stand included in the box, so users could easily set the console vertically or horizontally. However, the slimmer version that replaced the launch model in 2023, removed the vertical stand from the box, and it is now sold separately for $30.

The PS5 Pro follows the same strategy, but goes one step further. It removes the disk drive from the box, as the console is only available in one digital model. As a result, to play physical games, you need to buy a PS5 disc drive separately for $80.

To put it simply, the base PS5 model gives you the choice between a fully digital console or a console equipped with a disc drive. On the other hand, the PS5 Pro is only available in one model, which can be upgraded with a separately bought disc drive.

A Few Important Details About the Pricing

Currently, users can buy three different PS5 models:

• PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive: $99
• PS5 Digital Edition: $99
• PS5 Pro: $99

The vertical stand for all three available versions is sold separately for $29.99. Also, if you buy PS5 Digital Edition or PS5 Pro, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive to it later, by purchasing it separately for $79.99. When the PS5 first launched in 2020 during the pandemic, it was difficult to find due to global chip shortage. Now all the models are available without any shortage. You can order one directly from the PlayStation website or other stores such as Amazon.

Running Through the Base PS5 Pros and Cons 

The base PS5 is a slim option that provides access to all PS5 games at an affordable price. Here is a quick look at the pros and cons of PS5:

Pros

• Affordable price
• The option to buy a model with a disk drive or a digital model
• Takes up less space than the Pro model

Cons

• Often, you have to choose between a high-resolution output and a great performance in AAA games
• Only 1 TB of storage

A Look at the PS5 Pro Pros and Cons 

The PS5 Pro is here as an option for players who want to get the best performance and graphics out of their games. The main pros and cons of PS5 Pro include:

Pros

• Offering fantastic performance alongside high-resolution output thanks to the upgraded GPU and memory.
• 2 TB of storage
• Advanced ray tracing technology
• AI-driven Upscaling

Cons

• Higher price
• The vertical stand and the disk drive are sold separately

Which One Is Best? Our Final Verdict

Overall, both the base PS5 model and the PS5 Pro are powerful consoles that can provide a great gaming experience. If you can’t decide between buying a PS5 Pro vs PS5, it helps to compare their features and pricing. PS5 is a great option for gamers who are looking for a powerful console at an affordable price. On the other hand, the PS5 Pro is tailored for enthusiasts who want the best performance and graphical experience. It’s especially great for gamers who have a high-end TV, to witness all the added details and smoothness that the PS5 Pro has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the PS5 Pro support 8K gaming?

Yes, the PS5 Pro supports unscaled 8K output for the 8K TVs. However, do keep in mind that there are not many games that offer 8K resolution at this moment.

Can I play PS4 games with PS5?

Yes, both the PS5 and PS5 Pro are backward compatible with PS4 games, and if you own a PS4 game, physical or digital, you can play it on your PS5. Some games are even enhanced on PS5 and PS5 Pro.

How many games take advantage of PS5 Pro’s power?

There are already more than 50 games that are enhanced on PS5 Pro and offer better performance, ray tracing, and resolution compared to the base PS5. The most noteworthy games are:

• Hogwarts Legacy
• Alan Wake II
• God of War Ragnarok
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Resident Evil 4
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Baldur’s Gate 3

Are there any games only available for PS5 Pro?

No, all PlayStation games are available for both the base PS5 and the PS5 Pro, and there are no exclusive titles that will only run on the PS5 Pro.

Upgrading to the PS5 Pro worth it if I already have a PS5?

It all depends on your gaming priorities and if you want the best gaming performance and quality on your PS5. If you don’t have a high-end TV, or the highest graphics and frame rates are not your priorities, then the base PS5 is still an excellent option.