The PlayStation 5 Pro will still be an upgrade but not as much as most people expect.
As anticipation for the PlayStation 5’s mid-gen upgrade grows (which has undoubtedly intensified with the release of Grand Theft Auto VI), rumors regarding its potential capabilities have intensified. However, the latest leaks regarding the specifications of the PlayStation 5 Pro may not be the good news that fans were initially hoping for.
Despite the excitement surrounding the possibility of a mid-cycle upgrade to Sony’s flagship console, recent leaked specs suggest a more modest improvement over the current PS5, tempering the expectations of enthusiasts eagerly awaiting a big jump in the console’s performance.
A source known for hardware leaks, Tom Henderson, has indicated that full hardware specifications for the PS5 Pro are expected to leak soon. This expectation stems from the ongoing distribution of PS5 Pro development kits to third-party studios, making it more likely that detailed information will reach the public. While this indicates that Sony is progressing well in developing the PS5 Pro, it also opens the door to potential disappointment among fans who may have set their expectations higher.
I can’t comment on other people’s leaks because I don’t know.
Internally, Sony expects full specifications to leak this month due to development kits being distributed to third-party studios. https://t.co/sJ9x4OGjtQ
– Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) December 11, 2023
The rumored specifications, which were initially leaked on a forum and were responded to with caution by Henderson, paint a picture of a console that, while undoubtedly powerful, may not represent the breakthrough some had hoped for. The PS5 Pro is said to feature an upgraded GPU with AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture, potentially offering twice as many workgroup processors as the current PS5. Additionally, improvements in ray tracing, derived from AMD’s upcoming RDNA 4 architecture, are expected to enhance the console’s graphical capabilities.
One of the most notable rumored upgrades is the inclusion of AMD’s XDNA2 neural processing unit, which aims to up the ante for AI-based visuals. This feature is particularly important because it signals Sony’s intention to rival Nvidia and Intel’s upscaling technologies, promising higher image quality. However, the CPU upgrade appears to be modest, with a slight increase in clock speed to 4.4GHz, which may not be the huge improvement some gamers were hoping for.
Despite these improvements, reactions among fans have been mixed. Although the upgrades to the GPU and AI boost are welcome, the seemingly slight improvement in CPU performance has led to concerns. Gamers who were expecting a dramatic increase in processing power may find the rumored specifications disappointing. This is an obvious concern among those who view CPU performance as crucial to achieving higher frame rates and more fluid gameplay.
Expectations for a mid-cycle console refresh to deliver significant hardware improvements stem from the latest console generation, as these updates typically provide notable improvements in performance and graphics. The PS5 Pro’s rumored specs, while representing an upgrade, may not match these expectations. Fans who were hoping for a console capable of pushing the boundaries of gaming technology to new heights may feel that the PS5 Pro falls short of delivering a transformative gaming experience.
Furthermore, the timing of the PS5 Pro’s release, which is expected to be roughly three years since the PS5’s launch, adds to the feeling of disappointment. Many gamers who were only recently able to get a PS5 due to supply shortages may find the prospect of upgrading the console again soon frustrating and unnecessary. This is likely to be exacerbated by the modest nature of the rumored improvements, which has led some to question the value of upgrading to the PS5 Pro.
There is a silver lining to this. It’s possible that Sony’s focus on this console generation is polishing up ray tracing rather than the resolution and higher frame rates that the PS4 Pro is aiming for. The boosted clocks are enough for the PS5 Pro to be able to handle the extra load needed for improved ray tracing going forward while allowing it to maintain 30fps at 4K at a more consistent clip. Although it doesn’t seem like an obvious upgrade at first glance, Cyberpunk 2077, as well as Alan Wake 2, proved that higher frame rates aren’t always the key to award-winning gameplay. Grand Theft Auto VI, which wowed fans with its record-setting trailer, will likely aim to achieve similar results, at least on consoles.
As with all rumors and leaks, it’s important to take this information with a degree of skepticism until official details are released by Sony. However, if the rumors are true, the PS5 Pro may not be the groundbreaking upgrade many expected.
The much-anticipated release of the PlayStation 5 has been the talk of the gaming world, with fans eagerly awaiting news of the rumored PS5 Pro. However, recent leaks and speculations about the supposed specifications of the PS5 Pro have left many optimistic fans feeling disappointed and concerned about the future of the next-generation console. With reports suggesting that the PS5 Pro may not live up to the high expectations of gamers, it seems that the excitement surrounding its release has been dampened by the bad news.