PS5 Pro Sales Projections Remain Strong Despite Poor Reception

With the recent unveiling of the PS5 Pro, industry analysts are projecting its expected sales performance. Meanwhile, the latest iteration of the PS5 has reignited speculations about a potential new PlayStation handheld that circulated earlier in the year.

Analyst Weighs in on PS5 Pro Sales Trajectory with Price Hike

PS5 Pro Expanded Capabilities Revive Rumors of New “PS5 Handheld”

The PS5 Pro, recently unveiled at a price of $700, is expected to achieve sales performance comparable to the PS4 Pro, despite its higher cost. According to Ampere Analysis market research director Piers Harding-Rolls, the price difference between the standard PS5 and the PS5 Pro, which ranges from 40-50%, is significantly larger than the differential between the PS4 and PS4 Pro at their launches.

Ampere Analysis predicts that Sony will sell approximately 1.3 million units of the PS5 Pro during its launch window in November 2024. This number is about 400,000 units less than the PS4 Pro's launch sales in 2016. Harding-Rolls noted, "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."

Harding-Rolls also suggested that the PS5 Pro's higher price might temper demand, but added, "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 roughly 12% of the total PS4 console sales. Ampere Analysis projects a sell-through* of "around 13 million units" for the PS5 Pro over the next five years.

*Sell-through is defined as "a transaction in which a consumer buys goods or products directly from a retailer."

Elsewhere, PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny highlighted that the PS5 Pro will enhance PSVR2 games through performance improvements. Cerny told Cnet that the PS5 Pro's improved GPU will allow for higher resolution outputs for games on the PSVR2, though specific titles have not been confirmed.

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. The PS5 Pro is also compatible with other PS5 accessories, including the PS Portal, Sony's remote player for the PS5.

In connection with the PS5 Pro's compatibility with the PS Portal, recent reports have reignited rumors of a new "portable PlayStation console." Earlier this year, there were mentions of a rumored PS handheld capable of running PS5 games. While no official announcements have been made, the enhanced capabilities of the PS5 Pro could potentially pave the way for a new handheld device in the PlayStation lineup.