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PS5 Pro: $699 Is It Worth it? - The Digital Foundry Take

XXL

Member
A tech demo, an RPG from a studio that is a husk of what it was 25 years ago and a soulsborne wannabe that’s a solid 6.5…
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StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
Now we can't even compare the two consoles launching this holiday season? Wow.
  • Xbox Series X 2TB White - if that's the console I want to buy, I have to pay $600. I have no other option.
  • PS5 Pro 2TB - if that's the console I want to buy, I have to pay $700. I have no other option.
Folks who are buying the new consoles this holiday will have to choose one of the two above options.

All the Pro features (which boosts performance by over 100% in some cases) shouldn't even cost the extra $100?

That's disingenuous.
Your comparison should be PS5 Digital at $450 vs $700. Or PS5 with disc and stand at $500 vs $810. And if you want to go further, do the same math but in Euros which is even worse
Xbox brought these comparisons on themselves when they decided to introduce a $600 Series X SKU. There's just a $100 price difference there but a gulf in performance.
What comparison did MS do?

Only comparisons every gamer saw days ago was Mark Cerny comparing PS5 vs PS5 Pro for 10 minutes straight.
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
There are cheaper SX disk based alternates available. You are not hamstrung to that one option.



Yes, this part is true. There is no other PS5 Pro SKU.

But you keep forgetting to add basic things like if someone wants disk drive parity, they need to fork over $80 or 120 euro to get that functionality.

And if they want a vertical stand, not the cheap Allen Wrench horizontal strip, they have to pay $30 more.




There are cheaper SX based alternatives available.



huh? compare it with the PS5, why do you keep comparing with the SX? The PS5 Slim, the closest actual analog, can be bought for $450. This is a $250 increase in price to that.



No, Heis, your post is blatantly disingenuous, there's really no other way to put it.
There are cheaper PS5 options available. But that's not what we are talking about. You're twisting the argument. We are talking about the new consoles available this holiday season.

Let me ask you a very simple question.

If I want to buy an Xbox console with internal 2 TB storage that is in white color, how much do I pay and how many options do I have?
 

GHG

Gold Member
You talking about how great value PS5 Pro is a laugh because most gamers and game sites think different.

I've never once said this. Try again.

Youre one of the only people I've ever seen out of all forums and YT and articles trying to justify PS5 Pro price vs a 2TB Series X.

No, I'm agreeing with a statement which states the following when comparing two systems which will both be on sale in a couple of moths time :

Xbox Series X 2 TB = $599
PS5 Pro 2 TB = $699

All the Pro features aren't worth an extra $100?

Get out of here.

Meanwhile, you and Mr apple are attempting to argue that the Pro features are not worth the $100 premium over the $600 version of the Series X. That is insanity and frankly you're being made to look stupid.

There are plenty of arguments against the PS5 Pro, many of which are highly logical but somehow even in a situation where this thing is easy to attack you're being fed nonsense like this along with stuff that's popped up in the PC comparison threads. How you guys are managing this is a sight to behold.

PS5 Pro is a giant leap in price vs current PS5 systems. And that doesn't even include extra costs of a disc drive, stand, and European's extra 100 dollar upcharge vs other regions getting reasonable currency conversions vs the USD.

Yes, none of which is being disputed. Well done, stick to those talking points and repeat them.

What comparison did MS do?

Only comparisons every gamer saw days ago was Mark Cerny comparing PS5 vs PS5 Pro for 10 minutes straight.

I didn't say Microsoft did any comparisons. Please read and try again.
 

baphomet

Member
I haven't even got $500 worth of use out of my launch PS5.

Unless I could trade a PS5 and Series X straight across for it, then I highly doubt I'll bother.
 
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StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
Why keep people comparing the Pro to the Xbox Series X 2 TB?
Comparing it to Xbox Series X - 1TB Digital Edition or PS5 Digital Edition makes much more sense,
Because if any Pro fan compares that way it looks bad. The price gap would be giant.

I'm sure 8 years ago when PS4 Pro came out at $400, and OG systems dropped to $300, a $100 gap getting you more power, HDR10, 4k/checkerboarding, games getting better frames and textures seems like it's worth it for many.

If you compare PS5 Pro at $700 vs PS5 Digital for $450, or PS5 Pro all in add ons at $810 vs PS5 standard $500, and you got to zoom in to see differences, it looks much less worth it.
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Why keep people comparing the Pro to the Xbox Series X 2 TB?
Comparing it to Xbox Series X - 1TB Digital Edition or PS5 Digital Edition makes much more sense,
No, that won't make much sense.

SSD is one of the big costs in these consoles. 1TB represents roughly 20% of the BOM. Double the SSD, and you have 40% of the costs going into just 1 component.

Series X (1 TB) is comparable to PS5 Standard (1 TB).

Series X (2 TB) is more comparable to PS5 Pro (2 TB + $100).
 
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adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
There are cheaper PS5 options available. But that's not what we are talking about. You're twisting the argument. We are talking about the new consoles available this holiday season.

????

SX is not a new console, it's just a LE SKU, PS5 Pro is an actual new console with new specs and features.

There are cheaper SKU's of SX available in the market *today* so saying that 'it is the only option' is incredibly wrong.

Yes, there are cheaper PS5's available, and they're a better comparison with SX. But there is no other PS5 Pro available, why do you keep comparing it with 'one' SKU of SX.


Let me ask you a very simple question.

If I want to buy an Xbox console with internal 2 TB storage that is in white color, how much do I pay and how many options do I have?

Holy shit :messenger_tears_of_joy:

Not only does not not matter what color the console is, the 2TB SKU isn't even white. That's the 1TB digital one. You're even getting your bad faith arguments mixed up.
 
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GHG

Gold Member
And, again, that is not the only feature-complete SX version in the market. Comparing a standard SKU to a limited edition one is bizarre / bad faith / disingenuous. That and StreetsofBeige StreetsofBeige has pointed out, even then they're not comparable without adding at least $110 worth of things on one of them.



Yes. Exactly what I'm saying. The 2TB is a limited edition thing. Limited edition things are always overpriced but fortunately it's not the only SX with a disk drive in the market.

Can't say the same for the PS5 Pro at the moment tho.

Just because it's a "limited edition" it doesn't mean it's exempt from people assessing it's value against the wider market.

If Sony were to have stated the PS5 Pro is a "limited edition" would that make the pricing along with the nickel and diming for the disk drive and stand etc ok?
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
????

SX is not a new console, it's just a LE SKU, PS5 Pro is an actual new console with new specs and features.




Holy shit :messenger_tears_of_joy:

Not only does not not matter what color the console is, the 2TB SKU isn't even white. That's the 1TB digital one. You're even getting your bad faith arguments mixed up.
Okay, so in black color.

I want to buy an Xbox Console with 2 TB internal storage this holiday season. Please tell me how much do I pay?
 

Cakeboxer

Member
No, that won't make much sense.

SSD is one of the big costs in these consoles. 1TB represents roughly 20% of the BOM. Double the SSD, and you have 40% of the costs going into just 1 component.

Series X (1 TB with a disc drive) is comparable to PS5 Standard (1 TB with a disc drive).

Series X (2 TB digital) is more comparable to PS5 Pro (2 TB digital + $100).
The only thing the PS5 Pro offers is power, so it should be compared to the least expensive yet most pwerful competition. Most people don't even need 2TB, i couldn't even fill 1TB.

The new 2TB Series X for 649 Euro has a disc drive by the way.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Just because it's a "limited edition" it doesn't mean it's exempt from people assessing it's value against the wider market.

Folks can assess all they want but don't pretend like it's the only option available and make comments like 'if I want to buy an Xbox this holiday this is the only option'.

If Sony were to have stated the PS5 Pro is a "limited edition" would that make the pricing along with the nickel and diming for the disk drive and stand etc ok?

Depends. If there had been a cheaper PS5 Pro SKU available at the same time, then the exorbitant price tag that it is at right now wouldn't be such a hot button point of discussion.

I want to buy an Xbox Console with 2 TB internal storage this holiday season. Please tell me how much do I pay?

You pay the MSRP. But I would have suggested you get the 1TB version instead because $599 for a limited edition version is more than I would pay. Fortunately it's not the only way to get a Series X with a disk drive in the market right now.
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
You pay the MSRP. But I would have suggested you get the 1TB version instead because $599 for a limited edition version is more than I would pay. Fortunately it's not the only way to get a Series X with a disk drive in the market right now.
And the MSRP for a 2TB Series X is?
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
And the MSRP for a 2TB Series X is?

Above $200 cheaper than the PS5 Pro with a disk drive and vertical stand included.

The only thing the PS5 Pro offers is power, so it should be compared to the least expensive yet most pwerful competition. Most people don't even need 2TB, i couldn't even fill 1TB.

The new 2TB Series X for 649 Euro has a disc drive by the way.

Yes, multiple users have tried pointing that out but it seems to be one of those "doesn't look like anything to me" cases.
 
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TheTony316

Member
Add in the drive for $80 more. You always skip that part. So it's $780. Add the stand to match the standard PS5 and that's another $30 making it $810.

Also for Europeans, the 2TB Series X is 650 Euros. PS5 Pro is 800 + 120 for disc drive = 920. Add in a stand and youre at around 950.

The real comparison isnt even vs Series X. It's vs PS5 digital at $450 US/450 Euro or standard for $500/550 Euro (which has drive and stand), where the PS5 Pro Euro price is almost double PS5's.

But tax is already included in european prices. Don't know how it is in the states but isn't $700 + tax close to 800?
 

StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
The new 2TB Series X for 649 Euro has a disc drive by the way.
PS5 Pro is 800 Euros and a drive is I think 120 more. So 920. And that even excludes a stand, where Series X can be placed vertical and horizontal. Add that in and youre probably at 950-ish.

A 300 Euro bump over X isnt such great value anymore.
 

GHG

Gold Member
Folks can assess all they want but don't pretend like it's the only option available and make comments like 'if I want to buy an Xbox this holiday this is the only option'.

Nobody is saying it's the only option across the entire market, but if you're somebody who wants to buy a next gen console with 2TB of inbuilt storage then it's currently the only available option from Xbox.
 

StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
But tax is already included in european prices. Don't know how it is in the states but isn't $700 + tax close to 800?
The avg tax rate in the US is around 6-7%, so an American would pay about $750 after tax.

At $750 US all in, it converts to 680-ish Euros. But Sony bumped it up to 800.

Old gens were parity pricing..... $400 US/400 Euros kind of thing. And back then during the PS4 era and PS4 Pro, the currency exchange rate of 0.90 was the same 8 years ago. So this time, they artificially jacked it up another 100-120 euros.

But then doing similar currency exchange for Canada and Aussie, the prices set are pretty close to whatever the exchange is which makes sense. But Euro is way off.

tTYuVHS.jpeg
 
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Embearded

Member
And with a disc drive and a stand you’re looking at a 1000 Euros, for that price you can get an amazing very capable PC build.
Yes, but i bet it would not play the same games with the same IQ and framerate though.
Discrete components has always been and will remain more expensive.

Let's wait until it releases, so people can load games and capture footage for comparisons.
 

Ozriel

M$FT
adamsapple adamsapple - no response? 😥 Just asked for a simple MSRP for a 2TB Xbox Series X. You're costing Xbox a potential customer by not telling me the price :p
Don't expect these shills to be able to read or comprehend a simple question, or have a backbone to answer honestly.
You couldn’t read this response to your question?

 

Sw0pDiller

Banned
If you compare PS5 Pro at $700 vs PS5 Digital for $450, or PS5 Pro all in add ons at $810 vs PS5 standard $500, and you got to zoom in to see differences, it looks much less worth it.
To me 300 bucks is a very reasonable upgrade for all that extra graphical power and 1 tb extra storage. Most pro buyers will have a ps5 of ps4 so their library will just come with. I think it feels like a new upgrading your graphics card only cheaper.
 

Cakeboxer

Member
How some of you guys managed to net get banned yet is beyond me and i mean both "sides". You can't help yourself and always have to play your stupid little console war games instead of discussing things objectively.
 

Ozriel

M$FT

Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
You are buying CPU architecture from 5 years ago (with the intention of using it for at least another ~5) , and it's not even the top of the line chip or anything, it's a horrible proposition no matter how you spin it.

If this wasn't an issue, why upgrade to a new CPU for the PS6? Just keep using Zen 2...

It is not spin, it is unrealistic expectations “oh PS5 Pro will be on 3nm, it has to” “PS5 Pro will use Zen 4c for sure, it has to” and misunderstanding of what is the difference in approach between Pro console and new generations for Sony and where they spend the effort HW and SW wise for each.

Biggest R&D slice is saved / invested for a new generation jump while the Pro model is usually synced with a new slim design of the current console and the deal they make with AMD on scaling down the previous SoC while designing a new one for the Pro model (we have seen it play out exactly like this between Sony, AMD, and TSMC for the generations in a row now). The Pro console takes the biggest pain points of the base consoles or the key differentiators with the previous generation and digs in them far deeper so that devs that at least dabbled with them can get a bigger payoff. They are meant to extend the generation. So huge focus was GPU and RT in particular with some space for a new dream that could be expanded a lot in PS6 which is PSSR (AI based upscaling mostly relying on augmented GPU CU’s… I fully expect dedicated AI HW like an NPU to be part of PS6 and one of the key items they will call out in their intro when they unveil the console “Road to PS6”).

Even discounting the 10% frequency bump mode they gave devs with the PS5 Pro, for most PS5 titles the CPU is not this impossible bottleneck. Many titles have a 60 FPS mode that works decently enough and many devs have continued to call out PS5 for having lower CPU overhead than XSX|S let alone PC titles… does not mean games are making best use of multicore CPUs yet hence why gaming focused CPUs keep pushing frequency up and up (see Intel and their toaster ovens processors).
 

Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
No, you are trusting that the enormous install base would force most developers to try and optimize for those particular systems, which is a safe bet overall.
Also what we expect devs to do for consoles, to reap the benefit of fixed specs for an entire generation.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
How some of you guys managed to net get banned yet is beyond me and i mean both "sides". You can't help yourself and always have to play your stupid little console war games instead of discussing things objectively.
Calm down.

1. We are just having a discussion on a gaming discussion forum. Comparing the prices of two products in a thread that's specifically about pricing of said products.
2. We are all friends here. Having a little bit of fun jabs here and there. It's nothing serious.
 
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