Mar 23, 2026

Is it Worth Upgrading to the PS5 Pro? An In-Depth Upgrade Guide

It’s been quite a bit since the OG PS5 dropped, and if we’re being ‘real’, it’s starting to show its age ever so slightly. But in came the PS5 Pro in late 2024, a mid-gen refresh to bump up the PS5’s capabilities. With newer releases comes the need for even more power, like the upcoming Crimson Desert release that’s got fans in a frenzy, wondering if the base PS5 is good enough for the game. So, for those considering an upgrade to the PS5 Pro, is it worth it?

What is PS5 Pro & How is it Different from Base PS5?

Features	PlayStation 5 (OG)	PlayStation 5 Slim	PlayStation 5 Pro
Release Year	2020	2023	2024
CPU	Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2	Same as OG	Same as OG, with higher efficiency tuning
GPU	AMD Radeon RDNA 2 (10.3 TFLOPs)	Same as OG	Upgraded AMD Radeon RDNA 2 (16.7 TFLOPs)
RAM	16GB GDDR6	16GB GDDR6	16GB GDDR6 + 2GB DDR5
Storage	825GB SSD	1TB SSD	2TB SSD
Ray Tracing	Supported (basic)	Supported (basic)	Advanced ray tracing (2–3× improvement)
AI Upscaling	N/A	N/A	PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution)
Disc Drive	Optional (Disc/Digital)	Detachable disc drive	No built-in drive
WiFi	WiFi 6	WiFi 6	WiFi 7
Design / Weight	Larger body (~4.5kg)	Slimmer, lighter (~3.2kg)	Refined slim design (~3.1kg)
Original Launch Price	~$499	~$499 (varies by config)	~$699

On paper, the biggest improvements have gotta be in the GPU department; it’s significantly more powerful, and boasts some nifty new tech like PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) that does some AI upscaling magic to get sharper, more detailed image quality without heavily impacting performance.

In reality, the OG PS5 can run nearly all modern games well enough, but it’s a step behind since oftentimes players have to choose between better visuals or smooth frame rate performance.

The PS5 Pro, on the other hand, flips things on its head, reducing the compromise by gettin’ ya 60 FPS gameplay at higher resolutions, with more advanced ray tracing, and extra headroom for more demanding titles.

Plus, all this looks fantastic on a 120Hz gaming monitor thanks to the PS5 Pro’s support for the high refresh rate!

Think of it as more of a nice-to-have rather than a ground-breaking next-gen upgrade.

But specs on a table doesn’t tell ya the full story, so here’s how you can expect real-world performance to actually look like.

Real-World Performance Differences

Improved Ray Tracing

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One of the biggest upgrades in the PS5 Pro is the more advanced ray tracing capabilities. In real-world gameplay, it makes a huge difference in how immersive and lifelike the game actually feels.

Ray tracing is all about simulating how light actually works in real life.

What this means is that with more advanced ray tracing, shadows look better, reflections are more realistic and immersive, true-to-life lighting that actually reflects how real-world lighting behaves.

Like walkin’ through a cave with just a torch and seeing shadows shift realistically as you explore the cave, or how you’ll notice clearer reflections as you walk through a puddle.

It just makes scenes feel more grounded and immersive, especially on a feature-packed 27-inch gaming monitor.

The base PS5 does support ray tracing, but not to the extent of the PS5 Pro’s capabilities. That’s cos ray tracing is a slog for performance, so the PS5 Pro’s beefed-up graphical performance keeps things runnin’ smooth, and look good doin’ it.

PSSR Upscaling

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The PS5 Pro has an exclusive feature called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, AKA, PSSR. While it sounds super fancy, what it does is actually pretty simple.

PSSR is basically AI-powered upscaling, so instead of burnin’ a hole through your GPU to render games at 4K, the PS5 Pro renders at a lower resolution (like 1080p), and then uses AI upscaling so it looks closer to true 4K quality.

Games look crisp, even blades of grass, like in Silent Hill F, that recently got the PSSR 2 treatment, are far clearer and more detailed than they’d normally look. Plus, it’s a great way to keep graphical fidelity lookin’ good, without tanking frame rate.

To clearly demonstrate the difference, on the base PS5, for more graphically demanding games, ya gotta pick between a higher resolution or smoother performance. PSSR bridges that gap, so you get Quality Mode level visuals, while runnin’ like it's in Performance Mode.

It’s hard to pick up when it’s working at a glance or through screenshots, but in motion, it adds up; cleaner edges, less blur, and a more stable, clearer image.

Smoother Performance in Graphically Intense Games

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But the biggest upgrade that ties in PSSR upscaling and advanced ray tracing is the substantial bump to GPU performance. According to PlayStation’s blog post, the PS5 Pro’s GPU performance is “45% faster rendering for gameplay.”

With 67% more Compute Units compared to the OG PS5, the PS5 Pro’s packin’ a lot of heat when it comes to graphical performance. With the extra headroom, the PS5 Pro delivers top-tier image quality at a stable, smooth frame rate.

Games feel more responsive, you don’t notice as many frame dips or stuttering, load times in between zones are faster, you see less pop-in and artifacting, or further draw distance.

All factors that are often taken for granted, but are undoubtedly game changers in performance.

Add in PSSR and advanced ray tracing with the extra compute power, and your gaming sessions start to look and feel a whole lot better.

The Biggest Difference – The Price

Probably the biggest problem with the PS5 Pro upgrade conundrum is the price. There’re two camps of gamers here that need to consider the price of a PS5 vs. a PS5 Pro:

Gamers who already own an OG PS5 or PS5 Slim
Gamers who are just jumping into the PS5 for the first time

Unfortunately, both types of players aren’t gonna have a good time when it comes to price.

Right now, the PS5 Pro goes for $749 while the PS5 Slim costs $549.

That’s a whole $200 difference, which could instead net you at least four $60 AAA titles on your shiny new console.

For existing PS5 owners, that may be too steep an asking price to justify the upgrade; spending over $1000 for both consoles just isn’t something everyone can do. But for potential first-time owners, the PS5 Pro may be a better bang for your buck.

A Potential Downside – A Missing Disc Drive

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There is one more downside to the PS5 Pro you might not know: the PS5 Pro doesn’t have a disc drive. There’s also no version of the PS5 Pro that has a disc drive, which can be a problem if you’re an existing PS5 owner with a physical disc collection.

You can purchase a separate optical drive to tack onto the PS5 Pro, or use the same disc drive from a PS5 Slim, for example, but that’s potentially another $80 investment, rounding out the cost for PS5 Pro + disc drive to a jaw-droppin’ $829.

Does a Game Need an Update to Benefit from PS5 Pro’s Power?

And here’s where the biggest caveat comes into play; only a select number of titles that are PS5 Pro Enhanced can take full advantage of everything the upgraded system has to offer.

While all games will in some way benefit from the upgraded GPU and features like Game Boost for improved overall performance, only games that are officially designated as PS5 Pro Enhanced will get the brunt of those performance and image quality upgrades.

These titles have been specifically updated by devs to utilize everything the more powerful console has to offer; things like PSSR upscaling, improved ray tracing, higher resolutions, and better overall visual details.

Catch is, not every game gets this treatment. Right now, there’re over 100 titles that are ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’, but even then, just a fraction of the PS5 catalog.

So TL;DR:

All games benefit a bit from the PS5 Pro
Enhanced games benefit a lot more

Who Should Get a PS5 Pro (& Who Should Skip)?

Here’s a quick list of players & reasons why you should get (or skip) the PS5 Pro:

✅ You Should Upgrade If:

You want to experience PS5 Pro Enhanced games.
You want the absolute best performance & graphical fidelity on a console.
You own a 4K TV or gaming monitor (especially 120Hz) and want to actually make full use of it.
You want a future-proof console for the next few years.
You’re a stickler for performance and can’t stand frame drops, stuttering, or lowered resolutions.
You play a lot of graphically demanding AAA games (like Crimson Desert, Ghost of Yotei, Monster Hunter Wilds).

❌ You Can Probably Skip (For Now) If:

You’re already happy with how games run on your PS5.
You mostly play indie, older, or less demanding titles.
You don’t really care or notice FPS differences or graphical upgrades.
You prefer physical game discs and don’t want to shell out extra for a drive.
You’re on a tight budget and would rather spend the extra $200 on games.

If you’re chompin’ at the bit for the best possible console experience, the PS5 Pro is it. But if your current PS5 already gets the job done, then you’re not missing anything essential.

Should You Wait for a PS6?

So you’ve gotten to the point where you think, “maybe I should just wait out for the PS6?” And while that frame of thinking ain’t wrong, it might be a bit too early for that.

Realistically speakin’, the PS6 is still a ways off from even a reveal. Let’s check out PlayStation’s console release history: The PS3 came out in 2006, then came the PS4 in 2013, and finally, the PS5 in 2020.

That’s a seven-year gap between each console-gen, which makes it safe to assume the PS6 should release in 2027.

At the earliest, we could see the PS6 in late 2027 – early 2028, but recent rumors suggest it could be pushed back to 2029 due to the ongoing memory shortage debacle.

All that said, it’s probably the case that the PS6 ain’t landing on shelves anytime soon, which gives ya plenty of time to enjoy the latest AAA titles (and GTA 6 hopefully) till then.

And let’s be real, with the current PS5 Pro’s capabilities, especially when paired with the recent PSSR 2 upgrade, current-gen gaming is still good enough to not warrant a PS6 for at least a few more years.

Final Verdict – Is the PS5 Pro Worth It?

The PlayStation 5 Pro is easily the best way to experience current-gen console gaming, but it’s not for everyone.

If you’re the type who wants the smoothest performance, best visuals, with zero compromise, then yea, the upgrade makes a lot of sense. Especially if you’re into newer AAA titles or already have a 4K setup that can actually take advantage of it.

But if your current PS5 is still slogging through and doin’ its job, you’re not bothered with the occasional frame drop or lower resolution, then honestly, you’re not missing anything essential.

End of the day, the PS5 Pro isn’t a must-have upgrade. It’s a premium upgrade for players who care about the details. Everyone else? You’re good with whatcha got.

FAQs

Are PS5 Games Compatible with PS5 Pro?

Yes, all PS5 games are compatible with PS5 Pro.

What are PS5 Pro Enhanced games?

PS5 Pro Enhanced titles are a select number of games that have received an update to utilize the PS5 Pro’s exclusive features, such as advanced ray tracing, PSSR, and upgraded graphical fidelity. These titles often comes with higher resolution or frame rate support.

Why is PS5 Pro so expensive?

The main reason the PS5 Pro is so expensive compared to the base model is because of the upgraded internals and exclusive features. This includes a higher 2TB storage capacity, a 67% more powerful GPU compared to base models, and PSSR/advanced ray tracing support.