The recent unveiling of the PS5 Pro has sparked a flurry of analysis regarding its anticipated sales performance. Additionally, the latest iteration of the PS5 has reignited earlier speculations about potential new developments in Sony's gaming ecosystem.
Analyst Weighs in on PS5 Pro Sales Trajectory with Price Hike
Sony's newly unveiled PS5 Pro, priced at $700, has caught the attention of industry analysts who predict it will match the sales success of the PS4 Pro, despite its higher cost. According to Piers Harding-Rolls, market research director at Ampere Analysis, as reported by VGC, "The price point of the PS5 Pro will inevitably cause a lot of commentary." He noted that the price differential between the standard PS5 and the PS5 Pro is between 40-50%, a significant jump from the 33% difference seen at the launch of the PS4 and PS4 Pro.
Ampere Analysis forecasts that Sony will sell approximately 1.3 million units of the PS5 Pro during its launch window in November 2024, which is 400,000 units fewer than the PS4 Pro's launch sales in 2016. Harding-Rolls pointed out, "In the US, the PS4 Pro launched at $399 and the slim PS4 was $299 at the time, a 33% differential. Additionally, the slim PS4 had a retail price of $299 having dropped from the original PS4 launch price of $399."
Despite concerns about the pricing softening demand, Harding-Rolls suggests that "for PlayStation enthusiasts the pricing is less of a consideration." Sony managed to sell around 14.5 million units of the PS4 Pro, which accounted for about 12% of the total PS4 console line sales. Ampere Analysis expects the PS5 Pro to achieve a sell-through of "around 13 million units" within five years. Sell-through, as defined, refers to "a transaction in which a consumer buys goods or products directly from a retailer."
In other news, PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny stated that the PS5 Pro will enhance PSVR2 games through performance improvements. In a statement to Cnet, Cerny mentioned that the PS5 Pro's improved GPU will enable higher resolution outputs for PSVR2 games, although specific titles receiving this upgrade have yet to be confirmed.
Cerny also highlighted that the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, the PS5 Pro's AI-assisted upscaling feature, will eventually be compatible with the PSVR2. Beyond VR, the PS5 Pro is designed to work seamlessly with other PS5 accessories, including the PS Portal, Sony's remote player for the PS5.
The compatibility of the PS5 Pro with the PS Portal has fueled speculation about a potential new "portable PlayStation console." Earlier reports suggested the possibility of a PS handheld capable of running PS5 games. While no official announcements have been made, the enhanced capabilities of the PS5 Pro could pave the way for an evolution in Sony's handheld gaming offerings.
