Sony introduces PlayStation 5 Pro for $699.99; disc drive sold separately

Sony has officially announced the much-anticipated PS5 mid-generation upgrade, the PlayStation 5 Pro. This enhanced console will be available on November 7th and will be priced at USD$699.99.

PS5 architect Mark Cerny demoed the big three technology improvements for this enhanced console:

• Upgraded GPU with 67 percent more Compute Units than the current PS5 console and 28 percent faster memory. This enables up to 45 percent faster rendering for gameplay, making games run even faster.
• Advanced Ray Tracing that provides more dynamic reflection and refraction of light at more than double the speed of the current PS5 console.
• AI-Driven Upscaling with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, a machine learning-based technology that provides super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail.

At $699.99, the PS5 Pro base version will be all-digital, meaning, it will not include the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive nor the vertical stand.

The base price of the PS5 Pro could remind veteran gamers of the initial price for the Panasonic FZ-1 R·E·A·L 3DO Interactive Multiplayer which was released in October 1993 for US$699.99 in North America; it included a disc drive.

A new feature called PS5 Pro Game Boost can enhance the performance of over 8,500 PS4 games that are compatible with the PS5 Pro. This feature can make supported PS4 and PS5 games run more smoothly or look better. Additionally, some PS4 games will have improved resolution on the PS5 Pro. Other features are Wi-Fi 7, VRR, 8K.

Many people via social media have expressed the price may be too much for a PS5 Pro that does not come with a disc drive. With the disc drive and the vertical stand, the PS5 Pro can cost over $800.

If you missed the presentation, you can check it out right here.

[Sources]: PlayStation.Blog: Welcome PlayStation 5 Pro, the most visually impressive way to play games on PlayStation – [Archive] – [Screenshot]. SIE: Sony Interactive Entertainment Reveals PlayStation 5 Pro, the Most Visually Compelling Way to Play Games on PlayStation – [Archive] – [Screenshot].