Sony PS5 Pro vs PS5: Which PlayStation Console Should You Buy?

We have tested the PS5 Pro and the PS5, including the Original and Slim models. We know how each one performs in real use. Based on their specs and our hands-on experience, we broke down the key differences below.

This will help you choose the console that fits your needs and budget.

Sony PS5 Pro vs PS5: Specs Details

Here are the main differences between the two Sony PlayStation consoles:

The PS5 Pro offers a clear step up in performance. Its GPU is about 62 percent faster, it comes with twice the storage, and it uses AI-based upscaling for sharper visuals. The trade-off is the price, which is $200 higher than the standard PS5.

Sony PS5 Pro vs PS5: Price and Availability

The PlayStation 5 Pro is Sony’s premium console, and it costs $699 for the digital version. This model does not come with a disc drive. So if you want to play physical games or use your existing disc collection, you need to buy the drive separately for $79.

Sony stopped making the original PS5. They now sell the slimmer model in two versions, which are the Digital Edition that costs $449 and the Disc Edition, which costs $499.

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Here’s how the prices compare. The gap between the cheapest PS5 Slim and the Pro is $250. If you compare the disc versions, the difference drops to $200. Add the optional disc drive to the Pro, and the total price difference goes up to $329.

The PlayStation consoles often get discounts of between $50 and $100 during these promotional periods.

Sony PS5 Pro vs PS5: Design

The PS5 Pro looks similar to other PS5 models. Sony took design elements from both the original and the Slim, then made some small changes. We think the PS5 Pro looks the best of the three because of its matte finish. Still, the design updates are minor. So, you should not upgrade just because it looks different.

Something odd about the PS5 Pro is that it is as big as the original PS5, even though it doesn’t come with a disc drive. For a console at this price, not including a disc drive feels like a miss. You can add Sony’s official disc drive later if you need one.

The PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim have the same number of ports. Both give you the same connection options.

The PS5 Slim is 30% smaller in size than the original PS5. The Disc Edition takes up slightly more space than the Digital Edition, but both are much smaller than the original PS5 or the PS5 Pro. If space is tight in your setup, this matters.

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The PS5 Pro and Slim have the same ports. On the front, you get two USB-C ports. The back has two USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 output, an Ethernet port, and a power connection.

Sony PS5 Pro vs PS5: Specs

The PS5 Pro has stronger specs than the standard PS5. Both consoles use the same AMD Zen 2 CPU and output in 4K. The standard PS5 struggles when you turn on both 4K resolution and ray tracing at the same time.

After looking at the design and ports, you might wonder why you would pay more for the Pro. The answer comes down to performance. If you own a 4K or 8K TV and want the best frame rates and graphics quality, the PS5 Pro makes sense.

The Pro gets 2GB more memory, bringing the total to 18GB GDDR6 compared to 16GB on the standard model. The bigger upgrade is the GPU. It runs 62% faster at 16.7 TFLOPs versus 10.28 TFLOPs on the PS5. You also get double the storage with a 2TB SSD instead of 1TB. This extra space helps because modern games can take up over 200GB each.

The standard PS5 uses Wi-Fi 6, which works fine for most people, while the PS5 Pro supports Wi-Fi 7. If you have a compatible router, this is a nice extra feature, but you probably won’t notice a major difference in everyday use.

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All these hardware upgrades power PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, or PSSR. This is Sony’s AI upscaling technology. It lets compatible games run at higher frame rates with better graphics. Think of it as Sony’s version of Nvidia’s DLSS. The system uses AI to make images look sharper and clearer.

The PS5 Pro is exactly what the name says, which is an upgrade, not a new console. It has a stronger GPU and new software features, but it still uses the same AMD Zen 2 CPU as the standard PS5.

The standard PS5 can display 4K graphics, but we found some limits in our testing. When we ran The Witcher 3 in 4K with ray tracing turned on, the frame rate dropped hard.

You have to choose between high resolution and ray tracing. You can’t have both running smoothly. The PS5 Pro fixes this problem by combining the two modes so you don’t have to pick one over the other.

Sony PS5 Pro vs PS5: Graphics and Performance

Games look excellent on the PS5 Pro. The standard PS5 still has ray tracing and supports up to 4K resolution.

As we mentioned before, the PS5 Pro gives you the best way to play optimized PS5 games. Games still look great on the standard PS5. The Pro just has the advantage of PSSR technology.

Right now, over 100 games have PS5 Pro enhancements. This includes Death Stranding 2, Battlefield 6, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Lords of the Fallen, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. These enhanced games give you better graphics, higher FPS, sharper images, and other improvements. What you get depends on the specific game.

We tested both consoles with newer games and saw clear differences. Ghost of Yōtei and Stellar Blade look and feel amazing on the Pro. The image quality is sharper, frame rates stay more stable, and lighting effects look better. You notice the jump even more if you have a quality 4K display with 120Hz support.

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Games that don’t have Pro optimizations still run better because of the extra GPU power. These improvements are smaller compared to what you get with enhanced games.

Which console should you choose?

Whether you need the PS5 Pro depends on what matters to you when you game and what setup you have at home.

If you want the best graphics and you own a 4K/120Hz display, the PS5 Pro is worth the extra money. This is true if you care about performance and play triple-A games. The extra storage helps if you switch between multiple games often.

The PS5 Pro makes sense if you think about the future. If you plan to play demanding games coming out soon or you keep consoles for five years or longer, the Pro is a smart choice. For new buyers with the budget and the right display, the PS5 Pro is a good long-term investment.

If you care more about the games than the performance, the cheaper PS5 will work perfectly fine. It makes the most sense for casual gamers or anyone on a tighter budget. This is especially true if you only have a 1080p or 4K/60Hz display.

If you already own a PS5 and you’re thinking about upgrading, this choice is more personal. Unless you feel unhappy with how your PS5 performs and you own a premium display, you should probably spend that upgrade money on something else.

The original PS5 is still a great console. Most games look and perform beautifully on it.

Sony PS5 Pro vs PS5: Verdict

The PS5 Pro delivers real performance gains for people who want the best their console can offer. But this is a premium product made for enthusiasts. Not everyone needs to upgrade.

Both consoles give you great gaming experiences. Your choice should come down to your budget, what your display can handle, and how much you care about that extra performance.

For most people, the PS5 gives you better value. But if premium experiences matter most to you and you want the absolute best PlayStation has right now, go with the PS5 Pro.