Ray Tracing Comparison: PlayStation 5 Pro vs. PlayStation 5

Ray tracing is a revolutionary technology that helps us create reflections and lighting effects with near-realistic accuracy, bringing video game environments closer to reality. The truth is that the PlayStation 5 does support ray tracing and has made significant improvements over its predecessor in this area. However, the quality and frame rates of the PlayStation 5 may drop in some games.

The Pro version, however, features more advanced ray tracing technology, which was showcased in a limited manner in Sony’s promotional video, showing impressive performance. This advanced technology will be primarily useful in games that are specifically designed and optimized to take advantage of the PlayStation 5 Pro's higher power. It is unlikely that there will be a significant improvement in other ray-tracing-supported games.

The PlayStation 5 Pro uses a new technology called "PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution" (PSSR). This AI-powered resolution upgrade technology boosts game resolution to 4K while maintaining high frame rates. The technique works by adding additional frames between the main frames, offering a smoother experience. Although similar technologies like AMD’s FSR and Nvidia’s DLSS have been used in the past, PlayStation 5 Pro is the first to offer this feature.

On the other hand, the regular PlayStation 5 does not have this technology, meaning the PlayStation 5 Pro will likely offer better performance with higher resolution and frame rates. Although it remains uncertain if the PlayStation 5 Pro can push frame rates to 120 FPS, future tests will show whether this upgrade justifies the extra cost.

Disc Drive Comparison: PlayStation 5 Pro vs. PlayStation 5

One of the most peculiar and controversial features of the PlayStation 5 Pro is its lack of a disc drive. This is especially odd considering that the PlayStation 5 Slim, priced at $500, has a disc drive, while the PlayStation 5 Pro, priced at $700, lacks one.

This does not mean that you cannot use physical discs with the PlayStation 5 Pro. For an additional $80, you can add disc drive support to the console. However, you must note that by paying this extra amount, you will have spent a total of $800 on the console, which seems unreasonable for a home console.

Storage Comparison: PlayStation 5 Pro vs. PlayStation 5

One of the most significant issues for PlayStation 5 owners has always been its limited storage capacity. As games continue to grow in size, many users struggle with space shortages and are constantly forced to delete games to make room for new ones.

The PlayStation 5 Pro features a 2TB SSD, which is significantly more than the 1TB storage of the PlayStation 5 Slim and the 825GB storage of the regular PlayStation 5. This additional space is a huge advantage for those who want to install large games or prefer digital versions of their games.

While the PlayStation 5 Pro is undeniably expensive, it offers notable upgrades over the regular PlayStation 5, especially in areas such as ray tracing, AI upscaling, storage, and Wi-Fi. Whether the extra $200 is worth it depends on your gaming needs and whether you’re willing to pay a premium for enhanced performance and additional features.

PlayStation Versions Comparison Table