Is upgrading to the PlayStation 5 Pro worth the price?

The gaming world seems to have lost its way a bit. Instead of original games and story sequels, we get version after version of the same old titles. Major studios are reluctant to take risks and prefer investing in safe bets—remastered versions of games that have already proven themselves. Amidst this trend, the PlayStation 5 Pro enters the market with big promises: it’s more powerful, faster, and offers impressive graphical enhancements.

Yet, despite its processing power, it’s hard to ignore that it arrives in a period with a limited game library, offering few titles that can fully harness the console’s potential. To make matters more complex, the PS5 Pro’s price has sparked much debate. Microsoft’s decision to forgo an upgraded version of the Xbox Series X left Sony alone in this arena, and they seemingly capitalized on the situation, setting a high price point—around 3,400 shekels.

We recently received the PS5 Pro for testing and spent hours exploring its performance, graphics, and overall gameplay experience. Does it live up to expectations? Is it worth the high price? All the answers are in our full review.

Before we dive into the review, it’s important to clarify a key point:

The PS5 Pro won’t transform every game into a visual marvel. To see a difference, you need games that can leverage its new power, along with a modern screen (like OLED) to fully appreciate it. If you try playing games that already run smoothly on the standard PS5, such as the visually stunning Astro Bot, you may find yourself searching for the differences with a magnifying glass. You might notice the console is slightly quieter, a bit lighter, and perhaps even enjoy the new curved fins (which look somewhat like lightsabers). But in terms of gameplay? You might wonder, “Where’s the difference?”

Design

Here’s what’s in the box: like previous models, the PS5 and PS5 Slim, the PS5 Pro includes standard accessories: a DualSense controller, USB Type-C charging cable, HDMI cable, AC adapter, and two small stands for horizontal use.

Regarding design, the PS5 Pro maintains the familiar lines of the PlayStation 5 Slim with an interesting addition: prominent black cooling fins on the sides of the console. The result is an elegant and compact look, though one slight issue emerged in our initial test: stability. The PS5 Pro is prone to wobbling, especially when placed horizontally. It’s more stable in the vertical position with the dedicated stand (sold separately), but you’ll need to find suitable space for it.

On the front of the console, you’ll find two USB-C ports, while two USB-A ports and a LAN port are located at the back. What about a disc drive? Sony decided to omit it in this version to keep the console compact. If you still buy physical games, you’ll need to purchase the drive separately. On the bright side, this console is so compact it’ll barely take up space in your living room.

Under the Hood: Technical Specifications

So, what’s under the hood of this sleek white box? Sony invested heavily in creating a powerhouse. The new GPU (graphics processing unit) is 67% more powerful than its predecessor, with 28% faster memory, which improves rendering performance by 45%. Simply put, games look better and run smoother.

The Ray Tracing capabilities, which handle reflections, shadows, and realistic light refractions in games, are significantly enhanced, with Sony claiming 2x to even 3x improvements in some cases. This makes games not only look better but also feel more realistic. Alongside these graphical enhancements, the PS5 Pro introduces advanced features like Wi-Fi 7 for faster connectivity and variable refresh rates for smoother visuals. Not to mention the massive 2TB storage (double that of the previous generation), allowing for plenty of space for games, movies, and apps.

Incidentally, Sony created some expectation for 8K games with the PS5 Pro’s launch, yet it appears they’ve backtracked, removing 8K labeling from the packaging. While they still claim it could happen in the future, for now, there are no real 8K games available for the console.

Performance and Graphics

The PS5 Pro unquestionably takes a major leap forward in performance. It gives game developers the power to push graphical boundaries to new levels, particularly with Ray Tracing, which we discussed earlier. Thanks to the PS5 Pro’s strength, developers can integrate it more extensively into games without sacrificing resolution or frame rate.

But before you rush to the store, remember that even the PS5 Pro isn’t perfect. The classic trade-off between performance and graphics still exists in certain games, at least until they receive updates optimized for the console’s new capabilities.

To test the PS5 Pro’s performance, I played The Last of Us Part II Remastered, one of my all-time favorite Sony exclusives. Since its 2020 release, I’ve completed it five times, and I still discover new things each playthrough. On the standard PS5, I had to choose between Fidelity mode (which prioritizes image quality over high frame rate) and Performance mode (prioritizing high frame rate). The PS5 Pro offers a new Pro mode that combines both, delivering a 4K resolution (1440p upscaled via PSSR) with high visual quality and a consistent 60fps frame rate.

In practice, the difference between versions is especially evident in the fine details. Reflections appear more natural, textures are sharper, gameplay is smoother, and I could see small details I hadn’t noticed before, like the intricate foliage, snow, clothing textures, and subtle facial expressions. In short, I can confidently say that this is the best version of The Last of Us Part II I’ve played. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, another title I tested, flowed smoothly on the PS5 Pro after causing my previous console to struggle.

To sum up the difference between the previous generation and the PS5 Pro in simpler terms—imagine an artist creating a stunning masterpiece with rich colors, sharp lines, and delicate details. Now imagine viewing this work through a dirty, blurry window. That’s somewhat like the difference between a standard PS5 and a PS5 Pro. The masterpiece is still there, but you’re not experiencing it in all its glory.

Bottom Line

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. NIS 3,400 is no small amount, especially considering the console lacks an optical drive. I, for one, enjoy buying physical games. I have an entire collection of PS4 and PS5 games on my shelves, and the lack of an external drive from Sony made it difficult for me to test the Pro thoroughly. Ultimately, I was only able to play three games: The Last of Us Part II, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and Astro, which I transferred from my previous console.

There may be other games where the Pro performs even better, or perhaps worse. But from what I’ve seen, I feel I got a clear picture of the console’s capabilities.

So, who is the PS5 Pro for? If you have a modern TV, especially OLED, and if you’re the kind of gamer who must have the latest, most powerful technology for years to come, and if you’re willing to pay for the best graphics available, the Pro won’t disappoint you.

However, if you’re content with the excellent performance of the regular PS5, and if the price seems excessive, it may be best to wait. You could hold out for the next generation of consoles or buy yourself a few new games with the money you save. Ultimately, the choice is yours.