PlayStation 5 Pro: The Good, The Bad, and the Pricey

Alright, so you’ve probably heard the hype. The PlayStation 5 Pro is finally here, and it’s the biggest thing Sony’s dropped since the original PS5 back in 2020. But before you jump in headfirst and slap down $599 (or more), you should probably take a sec to figure out if this upgrade’s really worth it. Like most shiny new tech, the PS5 Pro has its share of wins and some drawbacks too—especially if you’re living in the U.S. where gaming culture and expectations are a little… intense.

So here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the PS5 Pro, from a U.S. gamer’s perspective. No corporate lingo, no overhype. Just straight talk.

✅ PROS

1. It’s Seriously Powerful
   Let’s get this one outta the way. The PS5 Pro is a beast. Sony gave it a GPU that’s way faster than the regular PS5—like, nearly 67% more powerful, which is wild. Graphics look cleaner, frame rates are more stable, and games just feel smoother. If you’ve got a 4K TV or one of those fancy OLED setups, this thing’s gonna blow your mind.
2. Better Frame Rates and Visuals
   We’re talking up to 120 FPS in supported games and ray tracing that doesn’t bring your system to its knees. If you play games like Spider-Man 2, Horizon, or anything even remotely demanding, the Pro makes a difference you can actually see. Sony’s new PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) tech basically fakes higher resolutions with AI, and it works surprisingly well.
3. Future-Proofing
   If you’re the type who doesn’t upgrade every couple years, the PS5 Pro is built to last. Most developers will be optimizing for it moving forward, and it’s ready for whatever next-gen tech comes along in the next 3–5 years. Honestly, if you’re buying your first PS5 in 2025, this is the version to go for.
4. 2TB Storage = Hallelujah
   No more deleting games to make room for new ones every other week. The Pro ships with a 2TB SSD, and yeah, it’s fast. It’s finally starting to feel like consoles are catching up to PC storage standards—well, kinda.
5. Clean Design (If You’re Into That)
   Some people hated the original PS5’s curvy look, but the Pro tightens it up a bit. Still futuristic, still weirdly sci-fi, but a little more balanced. It doesn’t scream “look at me!” quite as loud, which is a plus if you’re not into showy tech.

❌ CONS

1. It Ain’t Cheap
   Yeah, we gotta talk about the price. The PS5 Pro comes in around $599, which isn’t nothing. And that’s without the external disc drive, which will cost you another $79 if you want it. That puts it near gaming PC territory for some folks—and honestly, at that price, people start comparing it to building a mid-range rig.
2. No Built-In Disc Drive (Really, Sony?)
   For whatever reason, Sony decided to make the disc drive optional. That’s fine for the all-digital crowd, but physical collectors or anyone with a big PS4 disc library are gonna be annoyed. Having to buy and attach a separate drive feels like an unnecessary hassle in 2025.
3. Not All Games Take Advantage (Yet)
   Just like when the PS4 Pro dropped back in the day, not every game is gonna look better on day one. Developers need time to patch and optimize their titles. So if you’re expecting every game to look radically better out of the box, you might be a bit disappointed at launch. Give it time, though—it’ll get there.
4. Still Big, Still Heavy
   While it looks sleeker than the OG PS5, the Pro is still a chunky boy. If you’ve got limited space under your TV, you might be playing a game of “rearrange the living room” just to get this thing to fit. Not a huge deal, but worth mentioning.
5. Digital-First Is a Mixed Bag
   Sony’s pushing hard into digital, and while that works for some people, others (especially in places with spotty internet) might struggle. Downloading 100GB+ games is no joke, even in the U.S., where not everyone has fiber. Plus, game preservation gets trickier when everything’s digital-only.

So… Should You Buy It?
Honestly, it depends on where you’re at as a gamer.

If you already own a regular PS5 and you’re happy with it? You’re not missing out that much. Wait until more Pro-optimized games drop or the price comes down a bit.

But if you’re buying your first PS5—or if you just want the best possible console experience right now—the PS5 Pro is 100% the way to go. It’s faster, smoother, and just feels like the version Sony really wanted to release back in 2020 if they’d had the tech ready.

Just be ready to pay a premium for it, and maybe skip the Starbucks for a few weeks.

Also read: https://thephoneyguy.com/is-the-xbox-series-x-worth-buying-in-2025/