The recent unveiling of the PS5 Pro has sparked discussions on its anticipated sales trajectory. Additionally, the latest iteration of the PS5 has reignited earlier speculations about potential new developments.
Analyst Insights on PS5 Pro Sales with a Price Increase
The PS5 Pro, priced at $700, was officially introduced, and industry analysts have forecasted that Sony's newest version of its flagship console will achieve sales figures comparable to the PS4 Pro, despite the elevated price. According to Piers Harding-Rolls, market research director at Ampere Analysis, the price difference between the PS5 and the PS5 Pro is significant, ranging from 40-50%. This is a larger gap than the one between the PS4 and PS4 Pro at their respective launches, as reported by VGC.
Ampere Analysis projects that Sony will sell approximately 1.3 million units of the PS5 Pro during its launch window in November 2024. This figure is about 400,000 units fewer than the PS4 Pro's launch sales in 2016. Harding-Rolls noted that the PS4 Pro launched at $399 in the US, while the slim PS4 was priced at $299, marking a 33% differential. The slim PS4's price had decreased from the original PS4's launch price of $399.
Harding-Rolls also mentioned that the PS5 Pro's price might dampen demand for the console. However, he believes that for dedicated PlayStation enthusiasts, the price is less of a barrier. Sony managed to sell around 14.5 million units of the PS4 Pro, which accounted for approximately 12% of the total PS4 console sales. Ampere Analysis anticipates that the PS5 Pro will have a sell-through of about 13 million units within five years. Sell-through refers to a transaction where a consumer purchases goods directly from a retailer.
In other news, Mark Cerny, the lead architect of the PS5, stated that the PS5 Pro will enhance PSVR2 gaming experiences through performance upgrades. Speaking to Cnet, Cerny explained that the PS5 Pro's enhanced GPU will allow for higher resolution outputs for PSVR2 games, though no specific titles have been confirmed yet.
Cerny also mentioned that the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, the PS5 Pro's AI-assisted upscaling feature, will be compatible with the PSVR2 in the future. Beyond PSVR2, the PS5 Pro is designed to work 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 led to renewed speculation about a rumored new "portable PlayStation console." Earlier this year, there were reports of a potential PS handheld capable of running PS5 games. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the PS5 Pro's advanced features might pave the way for innovations in Sony's handheld gaming line.
