Gamers rejoice! Whispers of a PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) are intensifying, with rumors hinting at a release date, pricing, and impressive specs. Let’s dive into the details.
PlayStation 5 Pro Release Date
The most consistent whisper points to a release sometime between September and November of 2024. Industry insider Jeff Grubb even pinpoints a September launch, potentially timed to coincide with the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. This strategic move would capitalize on gamers’ desire for the best possible performance for a blockbuster title.
There Might Be a Delay
A recent twist comes from Tom Henderson, another industry insider known for his PS5 Pro leaks. On Twitter, he responded to a question about a September release with a cryptic, “If it releases this year!” This suggests a potential delay, pushing the PS5 Pro back to 2025. The reason for this delay is unclear, but an announcement could be coming soon.
Specs
Leaks suggest the PS5 Pro will boast a “High CPU Frequency Mode,” potentially increasing the CPU clock speed by 10% to 3.85Ghz. It’s also rumored to have a new GPU capable of up to 45% faster rendering and significantly improved ray tracing effects. Tech outlet Digital Foundry corroborated these claims in March, listing the reported specs.
| PS5 | PS5 Pro | |
| CPU Architecture/ Clock Speeds | Eight core/16 Thread Zen 2 at 3.5GHz | Eight core/16 Thread Zen 2 at 3.5GHz/3.85GHz |
| GPU Compute Units/ Architecture | 36 CUS, RDNA 2 | 60 CUs, RNDA 3 (TBC) |
| TFLOPs/GPU Clock Speed | 10.23TF/ 2.23GHz | 33.5TF/ 2.18GHz (TBC) |
| GDDR6 Memory | 16GB at 14Gbps | 16GB at 18Gbps |
| Memory Available For Games | 12.5GB | 13.7GB |
| Memory Interface/ Bandwidth | 256-bit/448GB/s | 256-bit/576GB/s |
Upgrade Experience: Similar to PS4 Pro
So, how much of an upgrade can PS5 Pro users expect? The leaks suggest an experience similar to the PS4 Pro upgrade. Existing games are expected to look and perform better on the PS5 Pro. Digital Foundry suggests games currently running at 30fps might achieve smoother performance, and some titles could even be upgraded to offer a 60fps mode, especially with the rumored PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution technology.
Enhanced Games and Backwards Compatibility
Similar to the PS4 Pro, the PS5 Pro is expected to play all existing PS5 games, but with enhanced features and overall better performance. Sony is also reportedly asking developers to create an exclusive “PS5 Pro Enhanced” graphics mode for their games. However, details about this feature and its use are still subject to change.
Price
While Sony hasn’t confirmed anything, whispers suggest the PS5 Pro could follow the PS4 Pro’s pricing strategy. The PS4 launched at £349.99, and the PS4 Pro followed suit with the same price tag. This could mean the PS5 Pro might cost the same as the current £479.99 PS5. However, YouTuber Jeff Grubb speculated a possible $600 price tag for the US market, translating to a potential £579 in the UK.
Leaks
Project Trinity
The PS5 Pro has reportedly been in development since early 2022 under the codename “Project Trinity.” This follows Sony’s pattern of using Greek mythology-inspired codenames for its projects.
Potential Release Window
Sony’s recent announcement of its attendance at Tokyo Game Show 2024 has fueled speculation about a possible PS5 Pro reveal. This marks Sony’s first appearance at TGS since 2019, just before the original PS5 launch. Given that Sony unveiled the PS4 Pro in September 2016 with a November launch, a similar timeline for the PS5 Pro seems plausible.
Leaked Specifications
Multiple sources have corroborated information about the PS5 Pro’s specifications:
- CPU: Identical to the standard PS5, but with a ‘High CPU Frequency Mode’ offering a 10% boost.
- GPU: 45% faster in rasterization and up to 4x improvement in ray tracing performance.
- Overall performance increase: 28% over the standard PS5.
- Storage: 1TB SSD, unchanged from the PS5 Slim.
A standout feature is the rumored proprietary upscaling technology called PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), which aims to compete with Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR.
With fall 2024 rapidly approaching, gamers won’t have to wait long to see if these rumors solidify. The potential arrival of a PS5 Pro promises a significant leap in power and performance, but keep those wallets ready for a likely price increase. One thing’s for sure: the next generation of console gaming is shaping up to be an exciting battleground.
