PS5 Pro: amazing graphics and heart-stopping price. Is it really worth it?

Ok, today there is controversy. And I warn you: it could be a turbulent journey.

The PS5 Pro is here, and the web doesn't talk about anything else.

Some are already heating up their credit card, ready to jump on the pre-order, while others - decidedly more perplexed - cannot digest the infamous price tag of 799.99€.

And if we also add the disc player (sold separately) and the vertical stand (yes, the one that should be in the box, but it's not there), you can easily reach the astronomical figure of 1000€.

“But is it really worth it?” it's the question everyone asks themselves.

And here we enter the heart of the debate between console and PC. On the one hand, you have the flexibility, power and customization of a gaming PC, and on the other, the undeniable charm of PlayStation Experience.

But let's get things in order.

Console vs PC: Infinity War

Let's start with a simple concept.

If you are a console player, probably the thing that interests you most is turning on your PlayStation and finding yourself in the game world in a few seconds. No drivers to update, no settings to configure, no crashes or various problems. Only you, your DualSense and your favorite game.

And this is where the PS5 Pro finds its meaning. Yes, you could build a gaming PC for 1000€ that would offer you similar, if not better, performance. But at what price, in terms of user experience?

A PC is not plug-and-play, and anyone who has tried to run certain games in 4K with ray-tracing enabled knows that optimizing a system requires time, patience and technical expertise.

The PlayStation, on the other hand, is another pair of sleeves.

It's built to let you play right away, worry-free. Turn on and play, period. And even with the PS5 Pro, Sony is betting heavily on this simplified experience. A nice 4K, stable 60fps, improved ray-tracing and a 2TB SSD to download all your favorite titles without blowing up your hard drive.

Without forgetting the PSSR, the upscaling technology that promises even more defined graphics, and a 67% bigger and badder GPU.

But let's not forget that the 'normal' PS5 was fine until yesterday

And here comes the first serious reflection: Until yesterday, the normal PS5 was fine.

That is, it is not that we have lived in a cave until today and suddenly we realized that 60fps is no longer enough for us.

The PS5 has already done its job very well, and let's not forget that Does the PS5 Slim exist, which is basically the same console, but with a more compact design and a more humane price.

And then, another point: However, devs will have to develop games that run with dignity on all consoles of the generation.

It's not like tomorrow we'll see titles that only exploit the Pro's potential.

We're still in the same gen, and the fact that there are more powerful consoles out there won't change that constraint.

So, yes, PS5 Pro will be able to push harder, but the games must also be playable on the standard and Slim versions.

The price of the PS5 Pro: a stab or justified?

Now, let's move on to the price, because I know you're thinking it.

800€ (or rather, 1000€ if you really want to make the most of it) is certainly not change. And honestly, I understand those who feel betrayed by Sony for putting such a tag on a mid-gen console.

“Why should we pay so much for an enhanced PS5 when we can build a PC for the same price and get more?” the faithful of the PC world will say.

And this is where the situation gets interesting. Because it's not just about graphics and power. PlayStation isn't just hardware, it's an ecosystem. An ecosystem built specifically for gamers, with breathtaking exclusives, a smooth gaming experience, and, let's face it, even a certain wizardry that a PC simply doesn't have.

Try to make it go round Gran Turismo 7 at 120fps in 8K with ray-tracing on a 1000€ PC, and then we'll talk about it.

Sony knows this, and it also knows that its users aren't simply buying a more powerful machine. They are investing in that magic that makes you feel at home every time you turn on the console.

In addition, it must be considered that a 45% better performing GPU does not come for free. And not even improved ray-tracing or a doubled SSD. The costs to produce this technology are there, and Sony must be part of the expenses.

Why the PS5 Pro might make sense (even at that price)

We also need to be honest.

For those gamers who want the best of the best, who wake up in the morning thinking about ultra details and a stable framerate, The PS5 Pro is the perfect solution.

Not everyone wants to go crazy with PC settings, not everyone wants to fiddle between BIOS and configurations to squeeze the maximum out of the graphics card.

Some people just want to turn on the console and see a game that runs great.

And let's face it: if Sony can really guarantee a performance boost of up to 45%, noteworthy graphics with enhanced ray-tracing and a smooth and uncompromising gaming experience, then maybe that 799.99€ might not be so scandalous.

But, and here comes my doubt: is it really worth spending 1000€ for this generational leap “in half”?

Okay, there are some extra expenses to consider, such as the disc player and the vertical stand. But for those who want the top, and for those who want a carefree gaming experience, it might be a price worth paying.

What's new with the PS5 Pro: what's new?

Before closing, let's take a good look at the main news that the PS5 Pro brings to the table, because in the end we're here to understand what makes this console so special, right? Here is a quick list of the most interesting improvements that could convince you to give Sony's newcomer a chance:

• Enhanced GPU: The new GPU is 67% larger, 28% faster, and guarantees up to 45% better performance than the base model. Put simply: smoother graphics and breathtaking details.
• Improved Ray-Tracing: Reflections and lighting in games will be more realistic thanks to enhanced ray-tracing, taking advantage of the console's greater computing power.
• PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution): Goodbye AMD's FSR, Sony has developed its own AI-based upscaling technology, which promises to improve graphic quality even at lower resolutions.
• Doubled SSD: More space for your games, with a new 2TB SSD. Forget the hassle of having to uninstall titles to make room for new downloads.
• Performance Boost: Existing games will also benefit from the new hardware, with more stable frame rates, reduced loading times and better graphics. Some titles, such as Gran Turismo 7, even promise 120fps and 8K with active ray-tracing.
• List of Enhanced games: 13 titles ready to make the most of the new console, including Alan Wake 2, The Last of Us Part 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Hogwarts Legacy.

In short, it's not just a simple aesthetic restyling or a facade upgrade. The PS5 Pro really pushes on the performance pedal and introduces features that will appeal to the most demanding gamers.

So, PS5 Pro or PC?

The answer, of course, depends on what you're looking for.

• If you want extreme customization and are willing to put in the time and effort to achieve incredible performance, then perhaps the PC is still the way to go.
• If you are interested in turning on your console, relaxing on the couch and playing with spectacular graphics and amazing performance, without worrying about optimizing the system, then the PS5 Pro could become your new best friend.

If you want extreme customization and are willing to put in the time and effort to achieve incredible performance, then perhaps the PC is still the way to go.

But if you are interested in turning on your console, relaxing on the couch and playing with spectacular graphics and amazing performance, without worrying about optimizing the system, then the PS5 Pro could become your new best friend.

And yes, even if it costs a kidney.

But don't forget that it will be released in November, so before throwing away a full salary, we'll see the reviewers' benchmarks.

Only then will we have a clear idea of how to move.

At the end of the day, the most important power is in your hands: Decide if it's really worth the candle.

It's up to us gamers to move the market, and we do it only by making sensible economic decisions.

Sony tries to sell us the most powerful console ever, but it's up to us to determine if the game is worth the candle.