Updated April 2026 · Gaming · 7 min read
Is the PS5 Pro Worth Upgrading From PS5? An Honest Assessment
The PS5 Pro launched at $699 — $200 more than the original PS5. It promises 45% more GPU power, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), and improved ray tracing. But is any of that worth $699 if you already own a PS5? Here's our honest, no-hype answer.
Quick Verdict
Skip the Upgrade for Most PS5 Owners
For most PS5 owners: Don't upgrade. The performance improvements are real but require a 4K HDR TV to notice, and few games push the PS5 to its limits yet.
Worth upgrading if: you own a 4K OLED TV, play graphically demanding titles daily (Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West, FF7 Rebirth), and are sensitive to frame rate drops in Quality mode.
Compare interactively on GoodPickr →What You Actually Get for $700
The PS5 Pro's GPU is approximately 45% faster than the base PS5. In practice, this means games that ran at 1440p/60fps on base PS5 can now target native 4K/60fps. Games that struggled to hold 60fps in Quality mode (Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank) now run rock-solid. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 in its enhanced Pro mode is visibly sharper with fewer frame drops — a genuine improvement.
PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) is the Pro's AI upscaling answer to DLSS. It takes lower-resolution frames and intelligently upscales to near-4K quality. On supported games, it's excellent. On unsupported games (most of the library), you get no benefit. As of Q1 2026, fewer than 40 titles support PSSR — the catalog is growing but slowly.
Who Should Upgrade
Upgrade Makes Sense If...
- You own a 4K OLED TV (LG C3, Samsung S95D)
- Frame rate drops bother you in Quality mode
- You play 4–6+ hours of demanding AAA games daily
- You sold your PS5 at a good price to offset cost
- You're buying your first PlayStation (skip to Pro)
Skip the Upgrade If...
- You use a 1080p TV
- You play mostly indie games or older titles
- You game casually (under 2 hours/day)
- $700 represents a meaningful financial decision
- You can wait for next-gen PlayStation
PS5 Pro Pros
- 45% more GPU power than base PS5
- PSSR AI upscaling (when supported)
- Improved ray tracing at playable frame rates
- Wi-Fi 7 for faster downloads
- 2TB internal SSD (double the base PS5)
- Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive (optional, sold separately)
PS5 Pro Cons
- $699 price — $200 more than original PS5
- Disc drive is a separate $100 purchase
- PSSR adoption is still slow (40 games as of Q1 2026)
- No 8K gaming in practice
- Improvements only visible on 4K TVs
- Same DualSense controller, no new accessories
The Upgrade Math
If you sell your PS5 disc edition for $350 (current used market), the PS5 Pro costs you $350 net. That's more reasonable. If you also need the disc drive ($100), you're at $450 net — comparable to what a mid-generation console upgrade typically costs. At that math, the upgrade is defensible for heavy users.
If you keep your PS5 and just buy the Pro outright, you're spending $700 for improvements that require specific game support and a 4K TV to notice. For most people, that money is better spent on games, a soundbar, or saved for the eventual PS6.
Our Recommendation
Don't upgrade your PS5 to a PS5 Pro unless you're already itching for better performance in specific demanding titles and own a 4K HDR display. The upgrade is legitimate, but not transformative for the average user. Wait until the PSSR-supported title list reaches 100+ games or until you can sell your PS5 for $350+.
If you're buying your first PlayStation in 2026, buy the PS5 Pro over the base PS5 — the $200 premium buys you a longer-lasting console with more headroom for the next 3–4 years of game development.
FAQ
Does the PS5 Pro come with a disc drive?
No. The PS5 Pro is disc-free by default. The Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive is sold separately for $99.99 and attaches magnetically like the current PS5 Digital disc drive add-on. Factor this into total cost if you have a physical game library.
Can you trade in a PS5 toward a PS5 Pro?
Yes — GameStop, Best Buy, and Amazon offer trade-in programs. Trade-in values have ranged from $250–$380 for a PS5 disc edition in good condition, depending on timing and promotions. Check current values before buying, as trade-in offers fluctuate.
Is the PS5 Pro better than a gaming PC?
The PS5 Pro is roughly equivalent to a mid-range gaming PC with an RTX 4070 in optimized titles. Its advantage is optimization — developers can squeeze more out of fixed hardware. A $1,000 gaming PC will outperform the PS5 Pro in raw capability, but the Pro delivers a better experience per dollar for couch gaming with exclusive titles.