PlayStation 5 Pro Review (2026): Top Console, Subtle Gains

This PlayStation 5 Pro review looks at Sony's higher-end console, released on November 7, 2024. It plays the same games as the standard PS5 but is built to run them with sharper images, steadier frame rates and better lighting effects. It is aimed at players with a 4K or 120Hz display who want the most from a console. This review is based on manufacturer specs and what independent experts report, not on our own hands-on testing.

What the PS5 Pro actually is

The Pro is not a new platform. It is a more powerful take on the PS5, and it runs the same library. It plays all PS5 games and over 8,500 PS4 games, with PS5 Pro Game Boost applied to help older titles run better. You are not buying into a separate ecosystem, and your existing games and the included DualSense wireless controller carry over to how you already play.

The big question is whether the extra performance is worth it. Reviewers generally say it is the best-performing PlayStation 5 console, with visible visual and performance gains over the base PS5. They also say the gains are subtle rather than transformative, so the answer depends on how much you care about the last stretch of image quality and smoothness.

Design and build

The console measures 388 × 89 × 216 mm and weighs 3.1 kg. Its maximum rated power is 390 W. It is a sizeable box, so check your shelf or media unit before buying. In the box you get the DualSense controller, an HDMI cable, an AC power cord and two horizontal stand feet. ASTRO's PLAYROOM comes pre-installed.

Two things are left out. There is no optical drive included, and a common criticism is that no vertical stand is supplied. If you want to stand it upright, plan for an accessory.

For connections, the console has HDMI OUT, two USB Type-A ports (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps), one USB Type-C (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) and one USB Type-C (Hi-Speed USB). That covers headsets, charging cables and external accessories without much juggling.

The performance upgrades

PSSR upscaling

The headline feature is AI-driven PSSR upscaling, which aims for sharper 4K images. Reviewers praise it for helping games pair sharp 4K visuals with smoother frame rates. Upscaling matters because a console can render a game at a lower internal resolution and reconstruct it to look crisper on a 4K TV, which frees up processing power for frame rate and effects.

Ray tracing

The Pro offers advanced ray tracing for more realistic reflections, shadows and lighting. Reviewers note improved ray tracing, including in performance modes. This is useful because ray tracing is often the first thing dropped when a game prioritises frame rate. Having it available while keeping motion smooth is one of the Pro's more practical gains.

Frame rates and display support

The Pro targets higher, steadier frame rates, up to 120fps on 120Hz displays. VRR is supported, which helps keep motion smooth when frame rates fluctuate on a compatible screen. 8K output is also supported. Most buyers will be on a 4K TV, so the 120Hz and VRR support is likely to matter more day to day than 8K.

The hardware behind this is an x86-64 AMD Ryzen Zen 2 CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads, and a 16.7 TFLOPS AMD Radeon RDNA-based GPU. Memory is 16 GB of GDDR6 plus 2 GB of DDR5.

An important caveat

Reviewers point out that the gains mainly show in Pro-enhanced games, and that graphics modes may still require a choice. In other words, the Pro does not remove every trade-off between resolution, effects and frame rate in every title. Check whether the games you play have Pro enhancements before you commit.

Storage, connectivity and media

The console has a 2 TB custom SSD built in. An M.2 SSD expansion connector (Key M) lets you add more later. Storage is one of the model's listed strengths: a 2 TB built-in SSD plus an M.2 expansion slot.

On the wireless side it supports Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) and Bluetooth 5.1. Wi-Fi 7 support is listed as offering lower latency and steadier online play. You will need a compatible router to benefit, but the support is there if you upgrade your network later. Reviewers also note that the console runs no louder than the base PS5, which is a welcome detail for a more powerful machine.

Physical media is where you need to plan. No optical drive is included; the Disc Drive is sold separately and adds Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback. If you have a collection of discs, or watch physical films, factor that accessory into your decision.

What experts like and what they criticise

Critical reception is positive but measured. TechRadar scores it 4/5 and Gamecritics gives it 8/10, which puts the expert average at 8/10 across 2 expert reviews.

On the plus side, reviewers praise:

• the performance lead as the best-performing PlayStation 5 console
• PSSR upscaling that combines sharp 4K with smoother frame rates
• better ray tracing, including in performance modes
• the 2TB SSD with room to expand
• Wi-Fi 7 support and noise levels that match the base PS5

On the minus side, a common criticism is that:

• graphical upgrades are subtle rather than transformative
• the price is very high, so value is questionable for most players
• the disc drive is sold separately and no vertical stand is included
• the gains mainly show in Pro-enhanced games

Reviewers describe the price as very high and the value as questionable for most players. That is the main tension with this console: it is the best PlayStation, but not an essential one.

Who should buy the PS5 Pro

The Pro makes sense if you:

• own a 4K TV, ideally one with 120Hz and VRR, and want to use it fully
• care about frame rate and ray tracing and dislike picking between modes
• play mostly digital, or are happy to buy the Disc Drive separately
• want plenty of built-in storage without opening the console on day one
• want the strongest PlayStation hardware on offer

Who should skip it

The standard PS5 is the better choice if you:

• are on a tight budget, since reviewers question the value for most players
• have a large disc collection and do not want to add an accessory
• mostly play games that lack Pro enhancements
• expect a dramatic leap in how games look, because the changes are described as subtle

How it fits in the console market

The PS5 Pro is the top of the PlayStation 5 line. It is the best-performing PlayStation 5 console, aimed at those who want the best image quality and performance. Reviewers describe the graphical upgrades as subtle rather than transformative.

Verdict

The PS5 Pro is the strongest PlayStation you can buy, with better upscaling, ray tracing and frame rates, and a generous 2 TB of storage. It is best suited to enthusiasts with a 4K or 120Hz display who want top console performance and are comfortable paying for refinement rather than revolution. If you are cost-conscious or rely on discs, the standard PS5 remains the more sensible route. If you are the target buyer, the Pro is a capable machine, though reviewers question the value for most players.

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