Sony PS5 Pro: Should You Buy It or Stick with Your Standard PS5?

When Sony announced the PS5 Pro, many gamers probably thought, "Finally, the upgrade we’ve been waiting for!" But as more details come out, the hype is cooling, with a lot of players now asking: "Is the PS5 Pro really worth it?" 

Between questions about price, performance, and timing, here’s why many gamers are feeling “meh” about the PS5 Pro right now.

While I was searching for stores in the Philippines that officially carry the PS5 Pro, I stumbled upon this post by Justin Juanico on PC Gaming Philippines Facebook Group and based on the comments, it's clear that many gamers are not sure if they can call the PS5 Pro a good purchase or an upgrade that's worth it. (source)

1. Marginal Performance Gains: Not the Game-Changer We Hoped For?

Let’s be real: When Sony throws a “Pro” label on a console, we expect some serious upgrades. The standard PS5 is already powerful, so to consider a Pro version, we were hoping for 4K resolution at a steady 120 FPS, mind-blowing ray tracing, and faster load times. Instead, the upgrades on the PS5 Pro are coming across as...well, kind of incremental. Yes, it’s an improvement, but not the huge leap many of us were hoping for.

Unless you’re a super hardcore gamer with the perfect 4K TV setup to spot every little detail, these upgrades might not make a massive difference. For most people, the standard PS5’s 4K visuals and 60 FPS gameplay are already impressive. The Pro’s minor improvements just might not be enough to make you want to reach for your wallet again.

Happy PS5 PRO DAY! 🎉 Via PlayStation Philippines Facebook Group, Patrick Dimalanta gives us a first look at the PS5 Pro alongside the original for size comparison. After testing games like Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank, Hogwarts Legacy, and Call of Duty, his verdict? 'Hindi ko ramdam ang pinagkaiba. 😂' A true gamer’s take on the PS5 Pro upgrade! (source)

2. That Price Tag Though...

As if consoles weren’t expensive enough, the PS5 Pro is expected to cost even more than the already-premium PS5. In the Philippines, the standard PS5 still runs you around PHP 30,000–35,000. Now Sony is asking for even more with the Pro. For a lot of players who just managed to save up for a PS5—or who are still waiting to buy one—the Pro’s price feels a bit extra, especially if the performance boost is minor.

Gamers are now doing the math and asking, “Is the price difference really worth it?” Especially for budget-conscious players, the cost of the PS5 Pro is a big reason why a lot of people might just stick with what they have.

3. Hard Enough to Find the Standard PS5

Even though it’s been out for a while, the standard PS5 is still in short supply in a lot of places. A lot of us are still hunting for a regular PS5, so to see a Pro version drop feels kind of premature. If it’s already this hard to get the base model, what are the odds that the Pro will be any easier to find?

For players who’ve been trying to get their hands on a PS5 for years now, the Pro launch can feel like Sony’s moving too fast. There’s definitely a segment of the gaming community that wishes Sony would focus more on making the regular PS5 widely available before releasing a high-end alternative.

4. Next-Gen Consoles Could Be Around the Corner

Here’s the thing: Sony usually updates its consoles every six or seven years, which means we could see the PlayStation 6 in just a few years. If that’s the case, then why invest in a mid-gen upgrade like the PS5 Pro if the next true generation of gaming might be on the way?

For a lot of players, this is the tipping point. The Pro might feel like a stop-gap that will be quickly overshadowed once the PS6 is announced. Rather than spend more now, many gamers are thinking about saving for the PS6, which will likely come with a real leap in tech and performance.

5. Most Games Are Still Optimized for PS4 and Standard PS5

Here’s the other problem: many developers are still making games that work on both the PS4 and PS5 to reach a broader audience. As a result, the PS5’s hardware is often underutilized, which means that even fewer games will be truly optimized for the PS5 Pro.

So, if developers aren’t fully using the base PS5’s power, what’s the point of a Pro? Games that take full advantage of the Pro’s extra power might be a long time coming, if they come at all. Right now, the Pro’s unique features may go mostly unused, making it a questionable investment if you just want to play the latest titles.

Bottom Line: Is the PS5 Pro Really Worth It?

If you’re the kind of gamer who’s after every frame-per-second boost and is excited to experience games at their absolute best, the PS5 Pro could be exactly what you’re looking for. Sony has designed the Pro model to offer a noticeable step up in power and visuals, ideal for those who want to experience every detail with maximum clarity and fluidity, especially with future AAA titles that are expected to push performance to the next level.

For those who are satisfied with the already outstanding capabilities of the standard PS5, sticking with it still delivers an incredible gaming experience that’s hard to beat. But for tech enthusiasts and dedicated gamers looking to future-proof their setup or take advantage of the latest graphical enhancements, the PS5 Pro offers a compelling way to get even more out of their console.

Ultimately, Sony’s PS5 Pro could be a great option for anyone wanting to stay on the cutting edge of gaming performance. The standard PS5 remains an exceptional console but if you're excited about top-tier performance, the Pro might be your next upgrade for an even more immersive gaming journey, even if it might not be for everyone.