Sony unveiled the PlayStation 5 Pro showcasing improved features like AI upscaling and higher frame rates in quality mode. But many fans expressed shock at the price, especially since the console doesn’t include a disc drive. Adding the disc drive and vertical stand pushes the price over $800.
One Reddit user commented, “Aside from the ridiculous price. I just thought that the presentation made it clear how unnecessary the upgrade is right now. Another commented, “$700 for no disk drive is crazy. I’m not paying almost $800 to play a console with a disk drive.”
The reaction towards the PS5 Pro price wasn’t limited to the US. European gamers noted the €800 price (about $880), while in Japan, the term “ps5 12万円” (referring to its 125,000 yen cost) trended on social media. Some fans drew comparisons to the PlayStation 3’s controversial $600 launch price. Adding to the disucssion, many gamers found it difficult to see a significant difference between PS5 and PS5 Pro graphics.
Trying real hard to see the difference between PS5 and PS5 Pro graphics pic.twitter.com/5dXhFfVj2y
— Celina🌙セリーナ (@tkn0801) September 10, 2024
Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls called the PS5 Pro a “40-50 percent premium on the slim PS5” in a comparative chart. The high price also led to discussions about future console releases. Analyst Mat Piscatella wondered on Bluesky if the PS6 would even include a physical media drive.
PS5 Pro: Sony pulls its ‘Pro’ strategy lever to engage PlayStation enthusiasts
PS5 Pro will launch globally on Nov 7th at a price point of $699 in the US, €799 across Europe, £699.99 in the UK and ¥119,980 in Japan. This is a 40-50% premium on the slim PS5 #PS5Pro 🧵 pic.twitter.com/yKPUScJIwU
— Piers Harding-Rolls (@PiersHR) September 10, 2024
As the conversation continue on the PS5 Pro price, some gamers are reflecting on the current console generation, noting that many new games are still releasing on both PS4 and PS5.