The most powerful console of this generation

While mid-generation console refreshes have become more and more frequent, PlayStation 5 Pro it deviates from the norm in some significant ways. Typically, an Xbox One X or PS4 Pro focuses on increasing hardware performance in an effort to outperform current consoles. More RAM, a better CPU, and a better GPU usually result in increased graphics output due to high power. However, for the PS5 Pro, Sony is doing as much on the software side as on the hardware side, and because of that, the leap seems bigger.

PlayStation 5 Pro design and specifications

For the most part, Sony has kept the aesthetics of the PlayStation 5 the same as the Pro model. It's a little slimmer because the console doesn't come with a hard drive, and there are some black fin-like grooves on the sides of the white console covers for added cooling and a bit of extra style.

The PS5 Pro will sit on its side with some clear plastic stands included, or you can purchase a vertical stand separately. It's a shame that the vertical stand isn't included in the retail package, as many are probably used to this orientation for its base model PS5. Even without the kickstand, though, you can orient the PlayStation 5 Pro vertically, and if you're not prone to knocking it over or have a fussy pet, it should be fine.

Sony swapped the USB-A port on the front of the PS5 Pro for a USB-C port, so there are now two outward-facing USB-C ports just 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 bundled with an HDMI 2.1 cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable, as well as a power cable, so you should be good to go right out of the box.

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 cord
• 2 transparent plastic supports for horizontal orientation

Under the hood, the PlayStation 5 Pro includes 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 (albeit DDR5 not DDR6) and, crucially, the hard drive is 2TB. With game file sizes getting bigger and bigger, especially on titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6additional storage cannot be understated.

PSSR is the PS5 Pro's secret weapon

Overall, the specs aren't perhaps as significant a jump as fans had hoped, but as mentioned, where the console makes the biggest difference is with its upscaler software. Called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony's upscaler helps PlayStation 5 Pro establish itself as the best-performing console experience on the market.

While the decision is up to the developer, some PS5 Pro Enhanced games offer players two options. Similar to the current generation of consoles, there is the ability to favor performance for a higher frame rate at the cost of resolution, or prioritize fidelity for a lower frame rate experience. With PSSR, however, the baseline for fidelity or performance modes is much higher. For example, a performance mode might work with a 1440p image and offer a frame rate higher than the typical 60 fps, or a fidelity mode might offer true 4K resolution and only drop to 50 fps or 30 at worst.

Ultimately, personal preference will determine which mode PS5 Pro owners go with, but the negatives with each mode are much lighter on this model. Performance mode no longer looks muddy, blurry or washed out, and Fidelity mode can still feel smooth by comparison. And for some games, there's simply an enhanced PS5 Pro mode that gives you a bit of column A and a bit of column B. The framerate is higher and the resolution is higher, boosted thanks to PSSR.

It's also worth noting that Sony has introduced a switch that tries to enhance any PS5 game, enhanced or not, but I didn't notice any improvement with that switch on. If you looked at two presentations side-by-side, you'd see slightly sharper edges, but it was never at the level of enhanced games.

The list of PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced games is only going to grow, but right now it has a solid lineup of top titles from the last few years. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth looks clearer and works better, Resident Evil 4 Remake is even more gorgeous and offers a higher frame rate, Star Blade could eclipse 60fps in either mode, and the wizards at Insomniac Games did Marvel's Spider-Man 2 even better, allowing you to enable some Ray Tracing features and still aim for a higher framerate than a base PS5. Yes, the eventual PC versions of these games will try to deliver that 4K 120fps max settings experience – especially with Nvidia's 50-series GPUs – but these are still beautiful presentations with solid performance.

The big question with the PlayStation 5 Pro is whether it's worth the $700+ price tag, and currently with no major PS exclusives to “sell” the console, the answer becomes nebulous. If you haven't been keeping up with the latest releases and want to experience games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Star Blade, God of War Ragnarokand Marvel's Spider-Man 2 in the best possible way, 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 own a high-end gaming PC and have already completed most of these games, then it's less attractive. As someone who tries to keep up with the latest titles, I spent more time downloading games, checking their PS5 Pro graphics options, and then uninstalling them than I did with any game. I'm not one to re-experience games as it's overwhelming enough to keep up with the current releases. That said, I'm glad to have the PlayStation 5 Pro to prepare for future console-only titles or ones where the PC port is less than ideal (read: Unreal Engine stutters). I'm in a unique position, of course, and everyone will be different.

PlayStation 5 Pro review: Final thoughts

Mid-gen consoles are hard to review for many reasons. They usually have higher prices; the current generation isn't going anywhere, so you won't be locked into platform exclusives; and there's always the next generation looming, which makes investing a risk. If you already own a PS5 and don't already feel the appeal of the Pro console, then you're unlikely to switch before the PlayStation 6.

That said, PSSR is a new technology for Sony and if it's anything like DLSS, performance will only increase. Even now, though, PSSR is very impressive, and what it can do for current-gen games (that support it) will give PlayStation the edge when it comes to delivering the best console experience.