Source: PlayStation/PS5 Pro

THE PS5 Pro has finally arrived, so the question on your mind is: should I swipe the card and get one? Before you make that decision, see what some people who had the opportunity to try it had to say before hitting the buy button.

The base model PS5 still has a lot of life left in it, but that’s not stopping Sony from launching a mid-generation console refresh with the PS5 Pro.

When first hearing about the console, the immediate question was: do we need this $700 machine? Who is it for? We all know that it’s definitely aimed at a niche group of gamers who prioritize performance and graphics and want the best of both worlds without building an expensive gaming rig.

Based on the specs, the PS5 Pro is an impressive piece of hardware. Under the hood is an 8-core/16-thread AMD Ryzen Zen 2 processor with an RDNA-based graphics engine, producing 16.7TF of GPU compute performance compared to the base PS5’s 10.23TF.

There’s also 16GB of GDDR6 memory and 2GB of slower DDR5 memory that handles other non-gaming console tasks, as well as a custom 2TB SSD.

Ahead of the console’s launch, PlayStation confirmed that there would be 55 games with the PS5 Pro enhancements, so it’s not entering the chat without titles to show off its power.

So, with that said, what are the reviews saying about the PS5 Pro? Reviews, for the most part, seem mixed, with many saying it’s too early to tell if this console is a failure.

2025 will be the real test for the PS5 Pro

In his criticism for PolygonCameron Faulkner discussed his experience with the PS5 Pro’s enhanced titles, writing: “I haven’t tried every single one of the 50 games that received a PS5 Pro patch. But what I tried brought a mix of improvements that I’m not sure I’d be completely satisfied with if I spent $699.99 on launch day.

He continued: “That said, there will be plenty of games in 2025 that will put the PS5 Pro’s most powerful specs to the test.”

It’s impressive, but the price is mind-blowing

IGN gave the PS5 Pro a 7 (Good), and in his criticismMichael Higham wrote: “The PlayStation 5 Pro is an impressive console with notable improvements in performance and graphics for games that take advantage of its powerful hardware. But for $700, you’ll have to think twice about whether or not the upgrade is worth the price.

Powerful, but not essential

Rory Mellon for Tom’s guide wrote“The PS5 Pro is poised to be where I play the vast majority of new releases from the rest of this console generation thanks to its unrivaled gaming experience. If you’re also the type of gamer who wants the best visuals and performance, regardless of the cost, then I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the PS5 Pro. But more budget-conscious console gamers shouldn’t feel discouraged about finding themselves stuck with a technically inferior machine. The PS5 Pro is a powerful upgrade to an already great console, but it’s not an essential purchase at this price.

The PS5 Pro is a niche product for now

Tim Gettys Quite funny said of his experience with the PS5 Pro: “The PS5 Pro is the perfect example of a console that fits perfectly into the home with an LG OLED, a home theater receiver and everything else on the box. If these things matter to you, this is for you. $700 is a lot, but it’s not a lot compared to other things in this area.

Gettys continued: “I think it’s a niche product at the moment, but I think it will become a mainstream product very soon. »

So the consensus is that if you have a base PS5, you’re good and don’t need to rush out to get a PS5 Pro. While this is a significant performance improvement, waiting for games to take full advantage of the new hardware is a safe bet.