On Tuesday, Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed to the world the PlayStation 5 Pro. While Microsoft has confirmed to be stepping out for a mid-generation refresh, this leaves PlayStation to fill that void. Coming in November, the new iterated system comes with a new GPU, trinity of features to improve your gameplay experience, and a $700 price tag.
Alongside the price point, many are quick to judge the lacking amount of a physical disc drive and even a stand to orient your console vertically too. However, both can still be purchased separately. What is exciting is the PS5 Pro Game Boost feature which enhances initial titles to new extremes. In a report with CNET, over 50 titles are prepared for this feature come launch in the fall.
From a new report by analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis, the reasoning for the price point offered does fall directly on the lack of momentum from the other side of the river. Without Microsoft nor Nintendo for that matter, Sony is open to price its console to a high-end degree with little to quantify something more reasonable.
PS5 Pro pricing reflects Sony’s adjusted strategy to protect its margin, general supply chain inflation and a lack of direct competitor to its mid-cycle upgrade compared to last generation (where Microsoft was preparing the Xbox One X). The lack of competition means it is an easier decision for Sony to run with a higher price point to protect its existing margins. For most prospective PS5 consumers, the standard edition will represent the value sweet spot.
“The PS5 Pro release generally mirrors Sony’s product strategy from the PS4 generation: PS4 Pro was announced in September 2016 and launched two months later in November with its own PS4 Pro Enhanced games and a ‘boost mode’ for selected games. One noteworthy difference is that the PS5 Pro lands four years after the launch of the original PS5, compared to only three years for the PS4 Pro and launch PS4. This later arrival might be related to the disruption caused at the beginning of the PS5 cycle by the pandemic and could possibly impact when we see a next-generation PlayStation 6 enter the market.
“The aims of this repeat product strategy are closely aligned: To engage the enthusiast PlayStation audience that are eager to upgrade their PS5 mid-cycle, convince those that have not upgraded from PS4 to make the leap and tap into non-PlayStation owners that want to most powerful console experience. Ampere expects a large majority of PS5 Pro sales to come from within the PlayStation ecosystem, with a significant share coming from those wanting to upgrade mid-cycle,” Harding-Rolls elaborates.
And while its not to say Microsoft is not releasing new hardware exactly, it is not to the same level as a ‘Pro’ model. This fall, Microsoft is shipping three new models for its Xbox Series line: Xbox Series S – 1TB in Robot White, Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition in Robot White, and Xbox Series X – 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition. You can read the full report by heading here.
Do you agree with the analyst’s statement on PlayStation 5 Pro’s pricing?
Source: Ampere Analysis
