The most powerful console of this generation

While center console upgrades have become increasingly common, PlayStation 5 Pro It departs from the norm in significant ways. Typically, an Xbox One X or a PS4 Pro would focus on increasing hardware performance in an effort to outdo current consoles. More RAM, a better CPU, and a better GPU usually result in higher graphics output due to more horsepower. However, for the PS5 Pro, Sony is working just as hard on the software side, and because of that, the leap seems even bigger.

Design and specifications of PlayStation 5 Pro

For the most part, Sony has kept the aesthetics of the PlayStation 5 the same as the Pro model. It's a bit thinner, as the console doesn't come with a disc drive, and there are black, fin-like grooves on the sides of the console's white bezels, which offer extra cooling and lightness.

The PS5 Pro comes with a couple of clear plastic stands on its side, or you can buy a vertical stand separately. It's a shame that a vertical stand isn't included in the retail packaging, as many are probably used to that orientation for the base model PS5. However, even without the stand, you can orient the PlayStation 5 Pro vertically, and unless you're prone to bumps or have an aggressive pet, it's fine.

Sony has replaced the USB-A port on the front of the PS5 Pro with a USB-C port, so there are now two outward-facing USB-C ports, right above the power button. On the back are two USB-A ports for those who might still need them for PS5 accessories like the Pulse Elite headset. The PS5 Pro comes with an HDMI 2.1 cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable, as well as a power cable, so you should be able to get to games with ease.

What's in the PS5 Pro retail box:

• PlayStation 5 Pro console
• 1 DualSense controller
• USB-C to USB-A cable
• HDMI 2.1 cable
• Power cable
• 2 Transparent plastic stands for horizontal direction

Under the hood, the PlayStation 5 Pro packs more powerful hardware and increased storage space. The GPU now has up to 16.7 teraflops of computing power, there's an extra 2GB of RAM (although it's DDR5 not DDR6) and, more importantly, a 2TB hard drive. As game file sizes get bigger and bigger, especially in titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6the extra storage space cannot be underestimated.

PSSR is the PS5 Pro's secret weapon

Overall, the specs may not be as significant a jump as fans were hoping for, but that being said, where the console makes the biggest difference is its advanced software. Called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony's enhancement helps the PlayStation 5 Pro establish itself as the best console experience on the market.

While the decision is up to the developer, some PS5 Pro Enhanced games offer gamers two options. Similar to the current generation of consoles, there's the ability to prioritize performance for a higher frame rate at the expense of resolution, or prioritize fidelity for a lower frame rate experience. However, with PSSR, the baseline for fidelity or performance modes is much higher. For example, a performance mode might work with a 1440p image and offer a higher frame rate than the typical 60fps, or a fidelity mode might offer true 4K resolution and only 50fps or worse. Mode 30 will be reduced.

Ultimately, personal preference will determine which mode PS5 Pro owners choose, but the downsides to each mode are minimal on this model. Performance Mode no longer looks muddy, blurry or washed out, and Fidelity Mode can still look smooth in comparison. And for some games, there's simply an enhanced PS5 Pro mode that gives you a bit of the A column and a bit of the B column. The frame rate is higher and the resolution is higher, thanks to the improved PSSR.

It should also be noted that Sony has built in a toggle that looks to improve any PS5 game, enhanced or not, but I didn't see any improvement with this button. If you stare at the two presentations side-by-side, the edges look a little sharper, but never at the level of high-end gaming.

The PlayStation 5 Pro's roster of high-end games is only growing, but it already has a collection of top-notch titles from the last few years. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth It looks sharper and performs better. Remake of Resident Evil 4 It's even prettier and offers a higher frame rate. Star blade It can eclipse 60 fps in both modes and was created by the wizards at Insomniac Games Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Even better, it lets you turn on some Ray Tracing features and still get higher frame rates than the base PS5. Yes, the ultimate PC versions of these games are looking to max out at 4K settings at 120fps – especially with Nvidia's 50-series GPUs – but these are still beautiful, well-performing offerings.

The big question of the PlayStation 5 Pro is whether it's worth the $700+ price tag, and right now, without any original PS exclusives to “sell” the console, that answer becomes murky. If you haven't been with the latest versions and want games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Star blade, God of War Ragnarokand Marvel's Spider-Man 2 All in all, then the PS5 Pro is worth the investment. Likewise, if you want the best console on the market regardless of price, this is it.

However, if you have a high-end gaming PC and have already played most of those games, it's less appealing. As someone who tries to keep up with the latest titles, I spent more time downloading games, checking the PS5 Pro's graphics options, and then uninstalling them than I did playing any other games. I'm not one to relive games because keeping up with the current versions is exhausting enough. That being said, I'm happy to keep the PlayStation 5 Pro ready for later console-only titles or ones where the PC port isn't ideal (read: Unreal Engine stutters). Of course, I am in a unique situation and everyone will be different.

PlayStation 5 Pro Review: Final Thoughts

Reviewing mid-generation consoles is difficult for many reasons. Their prices are usually higher. The current generation isn't going anywhere, so you won't be locked into platform exclusivity. And there's always the next generation coming that turns investment into risk. If you already own a PS5 and aren't already feeling the pull of a Pro console, that's unlikely to change before the PlayStation 6.

That being said, PSSR is a new technology for Sony and if it's anything like DLSS, performance will only get better. However, even now, PSSR is impressive and what it can do for current generation games (which support it) will give the PlayStation the edge in providing the best console experience.