Sony may be planning to release a more powerful version of its PlayStation 5 console later this year, according to industry analysts and leaks. The PS5 Pro, as it is unofficially called, is expected to offer better performance, graphics, and features than the current PS5, and to support the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 game, which is slated for a 2025 release.
Why Sony Needs a PS5 Pro
The PS5, which launched in November 2020, has been a huge success for Sony, selling over 21 million units as of February 2024. However, the company has also faced some challenges, such as supply shortages, rising production costs, and increasing competition from Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and S consoles, as well as PC and mobile gaming platforms.
Sony has also admitted that it expects the PS5’s sales pace to start falling from the next fiscal year, which begins in April 2024. This is partly due to the natural decline of the console cycle, and partly due to the lack of major exclusive games for the PS5 in the near future. Sony has confirmed that it will not release any new entries in its popular franchises, such as God of War, Spider-Man, and Horizon, before April 2025.
To maintain its dominance in the console market, and to keep its customers satisfied, Sony may need to introduce a mid-generation refresh of the PS5, similar to what it did with the PS4 Pro in 2016. The PS4 Pro was a more powerful version of the PS4, which offered enhanced graphics, 4K resolution, and HDR support for compatible games and TVs. The PS4 Pro also helped Sony boost its profits and extend the lifespan of the PS4, which is still selling well today.
What to Expect from the PS5 Pro
According to various sources, the PS5 Pro is likely to launch in the second half of 2024, possibly around the holiday season. The console is rumored to have upgraded hardware, such as a new AMD processor and graphics card, based on the Zen 2 and RDNA 3 architectures, respectively. These components would allow the PS5 Pro to deliver faster loading times, smoother frame rates, and more realistic ray tracing effects, which are used to simulate realistic lighting and reflections in games.
The PS5 Pro is also expected to have more storage space than the current PS5, which has 825 GB of SSD, of which only 667 GB are usable for games and apps. The PS5 Pro could have 1 TB or more of SSD, which would be useful for storing the large file sizes of modern games, especially those that support 4K resolution and high-quality textures.
One of the main selling points of the PS5 Pro, however, could be its compatibility with Grand Theft Auto 6, the next installment in the blockbuster GTA series, developed by Rockstar Games. GTA 6 is one of the most anticipated games of all time, and has been in development for several years. The game is expected to be set in a modern-day version of Vice City, a fictional city based on Miami, and to feature a female protagonist, named Lucia, for the first time in the series.
GTA 6 is also expected to be a very demanding game, in terms of graphics, gameplay, and content. The game is likely to feature a large and detailed open world, with dynamic weather, traffic, and NPC systems, as well as a rich and immersive story, with branching choices and consequences. The game is also likely to support online multiplayer modes, such as GTA Online, which allow players to interact with each other and create their own adventures in the GTA universe.
According to analysts, GTA 6 is scheduled to launch in 2025, and will be a huge boost for the gaming industry, as well as for Sony and Microsoft, who will compete to offer the best platform for playing the game. Sony, however, may have an edge over Microsoft, if it can release the PS5 Pro before GTA 6, and offer a superior gaming experience for the fans of the GTA series. Sony may also try to secure some exclusive content or deals for GTA 6 on the PS5 Pro, such as early access, bonus items, or DLCs.
How to Get the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro is still a rumor, and Sony has not officially confirmed or denied its existence. However, given the history and the logic of the console market, it is very likely that Sony is working on a PS5 Pro, and will announce it soon. The PS5 Pro could be revealed at a special event, such as the PlayStation Experience, or at a major gaming convention, such as the E3 or the Gamescom.
The PS5 Pro could also be available for pre-order shortly after its announcement, and could be shipped to customers by the end of the year. The PS5 Pro could cost more than the current PS5, which is priced at $499 for the standard edition, and $399 for the digital edition. The PS5 Pro could cost around $599, or more, depending on the features and the specifications of the console.
The PS5 Pro could also be sold in bundles, with games, accessories, or subscriptions, such as the PlayStation Plus or the PlayStation Now. One of the most attractive bundles could be the PS5 Pro with GTA 6, which could offer a discounted price for both the console and the game, as well as some exclusive perks for the PS5 Pro users.
The PS5 Pro could also be compatible with the existing PS5 games and accessories, such as the DualSense controller, the Pulse 3D headset, and the HD camera. The PS5 Pro could also support the PS4 games, via backward compatibility, and the PS VR games, via a new PS VR headset, which is also rumored to be in development by Sony.
The PS5 Pro could be a great option for gamers who want to enjoy the best possible gaming experience on the PS5, and who are looking forward to playing GTA 6, and other upcoming games, such as Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, and Spider-Man 2. The PS5 Pro could also be a good choice for gamers who have not yet bought the PS5, and who are waiting for a more powerful and feature-rich version of the console.
