A new, more powerful version of the PlayStation 5 is reportedly primed for an announcement soon, and while the rumored PS5 Pro system hasn't been officially confirmed, video game industry analysts are weighing in with their thoughts about it.
Serkan Toto of Kantan Games told IGN that there is "no doubt" that a PS5 Pro is on the way. What form it takes and what upgrades it might offer over the existing PS5 remain a mystery. But it will be more expensive than the PS5, the analysts noted.
Toto said the PS5 Pro is likely to cost $600 or $650 when it releases, and that the existing PS5, which costs $500, will not receive a price cut. Michael Wagner of Newzoo said history suggests that the PS5 will receive a price cut when the PS5 Pro launches, citing the precedent of the PS4 getting a price cut when the PS4 Pro came out. Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners said this generation isn't the same as past ones in part because production and shipping costs are not declining like they did with previous generations.
Toto and Wagner also talked about how they believe the PS5 Pro would be released in time for Grand Theft Auto 6's debut in 2025, and that PS5 Pro sales could benefit as a result. Toto also mentioned how the PS5 Pro won't be a very significant contributor to overall PS5 unit sales. He noted that the PS4 Pro only made up 10%-15% of total PS4 sales by the end of the platform's lifecycle, and that trend should continue with the PS5 Pro.
An unsubstantiated rumor suggests the PS5 Pro could be announced during a State of Play this month or even at the Tokyo Game Show, which is also set for this month. Other reports suggest the PS5 Pro was an "open secret" during Gamescom in August.
Leaked specs for the PS5 Pro suggest it may have a "High CPU Frequency Mode" that reportedly increases the PS5 CPU by 10% to 3.85Ghz. The system could also have a new GPU that is said to be capable of up to 45% faster rendering and dramatically improves ray-tracing effects. Digital Foundry has also corroborated these claims and posted a list of the reported the PS5 Pro specs back in March.
Recently, Hideo Kojima's assistant uploaded a photo of Kojima playing Death Stranding 2 with what looks to be a device cloaked under some kind of covering, with many suggesting this might be the PS5 Pro or a developer's version of the system.
本日の小島監督。
— Ayako (Touchy!) (@Kaizerkunkun) August 28, 2024
Hideo Kojima today. pic.twitter.com/nRBdYuiQnx
For what it's worth, a mid-generation Xbox Series X refresh is also rumored, but there isn't much to go on. Microsoft is launching new hardware this October in the form of a $600 Xbox Series X with a 2TB hard drive and a galaxy-themed design.
The PS5's next big game is Astro Bot, which launches on September 6 behind rave reviews, including a 9/10 from GameSpot.
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