Sony has officially unveiled the PlayStation 5 Pro, and the hefty price tag has left fans in disbelief. This highly anticipated upgraded version of the popular PS5 was expected to represent a significant leap in quality and performance for Sony. However, the reaction from the community has been predominantly negative, primarily due to the console’s cost.
The PS5 Pro is set to launch at a price of $699.99, as announced on the official PlayStation YouTube channel. This price point is $200 higher than the original PS5 model with a disc drive, which debuted in 2020.
The response to this announcement has been overwhelmingly unfavorable, with fans criticizing Sony for setting such a high price. Although the mid-generation upgrade for PlayStation was widely anticipated amid circulating rumors over the past year, the steep price came as a surprise.
Fans Doubt the PlayStation 5 Pro Justifies Its Price
The Console Doesn’t Offer Significant Improvements
The forthcoming PS5 Pro is intended to be an enhancement over the standard PS5. In certain aspects, it is: the new hardware is designed to make the console faster, and its enhanced capabilities promise clearer graphics and a greater depth of view. Nonetheless, many argue that these enhancements do not justify the increased price.
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Fans have taken to social media platforms to voice their displeasure. Some highlight the absurdity of the announcement by listing alternative purchases they could make for $700, such as, “Nintendo Switch Lites for everyone in the family, including the cat,” as PatStaresAt on X (formerly Twitter) jokingly remarks. Some fans have even sarcastically blamed Concord’s recent significant failure for Sony’s need to recoup its losses.
The console is perceived as offering only marginal improvements over the original PS5. Sony’s presentation lacked new games for the upgraded console, instead showcasing enhanced visuals for existing titles, many of which originally launched on the PlayStation 4. The comparison images intended to excite fans appear underwhelming to many, showing minimal differences from the already impressive PS5.
Moreover, the PS5 Pro lacks some crucial features. Notably, the upcoming console will not include a disc drive, preventing fans from playing their physical games without an external drive. Even the stand featured in Sony’s official presentation will not be included with the console, a decision carried over from the so-called PS5 Slim redesign. In the reveal trailer’s comments, YouTube user salvadormendoza5045 breaks down the costs: “$700 console, $30 stand, $80 disc drive. PS3 era expensive all over again.” Others note that the actual price will be even higher due to taxes and additional fees.
The PlayStation 5 Pro reveal had been eagerly anticipated, and fans expected more from Sony. They hoped for significant improvements over the PS5 or at least the announcement of intriguing new games. With a $700 price tag, the exclusion of essential features, and minimal advancements, many are considering investing in a PC instead.
Sources: PlayStation/YouTube, PatStaresAt/X, ScubaSteve1219/X, salvadormendoza5045/YouTube
PlayStation 5
The fifth flagship video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment, the PlayStation 5, is a part of the ninth generation of consoles. The console features full backwards compatibility with PlayStation 4 games and features a digital storefront that gives access to older generations. The console can output images at 4K resolution, with alternative options including 1440p at 120 frames per second for gameplay. This console is also known for implementing 3D audio, which allows headphones to be connected to the console for simulated spatially accurate audio.
