Tom's Guide's PlayStation PS5 Pro Review

PlayStation · Gaming · Reviewed by Tom's Guide · Published 2026-04-23

Rating 3/5Source quality 85/100Evidence 14Claims 10Q&A 5Pros 5Cons 4Gaming

Based on a review by Tom's Guide (accessed 2026-04-23).

This page converts Tom's Guide's review of the PlayStation PS5 Pro into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.

Product Evidence hub pending. This is currently the only analysed source for this product. A full evidence hub becomes available once a second qualifying source is processed.

Sponsorship & disclosure

Brand relationship disclosed as: affiliate

Source verdict

The reviewer concludes that most people should opt for the standard PS5 Slim at $600 due to its excellent value and game library. While he loves the PS5 Pro, he advises against buying it at its current $900 price, suggesting it makes more sense for buyers to wait for the PS6, which is rumored to be about a year and a half away.

About this source

This video from Tom's Guide compares the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro consoles, discussing recent price increases and their key differences. It also evaluates the consoles against gaming PCs and provides recommendations on whether to buy now or wait for a potential PlayStation 6.

Review notes

The PS5 Pro is difficult to recommend at its current $900 price point, especially with the PS6 potentially launching within a year and a half. The console offers a significant performance boost over the base PS5, primarily through its exclusive PSSR 2.0 upscaling technology and doubled 2TB storage. PSSR 2.0 enables better resolution and performance, allowing for improved graphics with ray tracing at 60 frames per second, noticeably enhancing games like Cyberpunk 2077 compared to their PS5 versions. If you absolutely need the best possible PlayStation gaming experience today and are not deterred by the high cost, the PS5 Pro delivers superior performance compared to a similarly priced gaming PC. However, if you are looking for better value or are willing to wait, the base PS5 Slim is a more sensible purchase, or you should consider holding off for the PlayStation 6.

What the reviewer liked

  • Doubled storage to 2TB
  • Exclusive PSSR 2.0 AI-upscaling technology for better visuals
  • Can achieve 4K resolution with ray tracing at 60 frames per second
  • Offers better price-to-performance than a similarly priced gaming PC
  • Dramatically improved performance and graphics over PS5 versions with PSSR 2.0

What the reviewer criticised

  • Significant price increase to $900
  • PS6 console is potentially a year and a half away
  • Only two key differences from the base PS5 (storage and PSSR)
  • Not recommended for most buyers at the current price

Structured claims

The PS5 Slim digital model has undergone multiple price hikes and now costs $600, with the disc model at $650.

reviewer_claimstrong

The PS5 Pro has also seen significant price increases, launching at $700 and now retailing for $900.

reviewer_claimstrong

The PS5 Pro offers double the storage (2TB) compared to the standard PS5 (1TB).

specification_claimstrong

The PS5 Pro exclusively features PSSR 2.0, an AI upscaling technology that enhances resolution and ray tracing for 4K-like visuals.

specification_claimstrong

The $300 price difference between the PS5 and PS5 Pro yields a 'pretty big difference' in performance.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The PS5 Pro offers better price-to-performance value than a similarly priced gaming PC, as demonstrated by external comparisons.

comparison_claimstrong

The PlayStation 6 is rumored for a Fall 2027 release date, though this is subject to change based on various market factors.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The digital PS5 Slim at $600 is the recommended purchase for most people over the PS5 Pro, offering a wonderful lineup of games.

reviewer_claimstrong

The PS5 Slim offers better value than an Xbox Series X and is cheaper than a comparable gaming PC.

comparison_claimmoderate

It is advisable for most to wait for the PS6 rather than buying a PS5 Pro now, despite its capabilities, given the PS6's potential proximity.

reviewer_claimstrong

Evidence items

PS5 Slim Price History and Current Cost

reviewer_claimneutralt=0:29–0:55

The PS5 digital model launched at $400 in 2020, then the Slim at $450, then $500, and is now $600. The disc model followed a similar pattern, now at $650. The original PS5 is no longer sold new.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS5 Pro Price History and Current Cost

reviewer_claimneutralt=0:56–1:10

The PS5 Pro launched at $700, was raised to $750 a few months ago, and is now $900.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS5 Pro Open Box Deals

reviewer_claimpositivet=1:10–1:17

The PS5 Pro can sometimes be found open box for around $750 to $850.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS5 vs PS5 Pro Storage Comparison

specification_claimneutralt=1:36–1:59

The standard PS5 has 1 TB of storage, while the PS5 Pro doubles that to 2 TB. The reviewer has about a dozen AAA games on his PS5 Pro with room for more.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS5 Pro Exclusive PSSR 2.0 Feature

specification_claimneutralt=2:00–2:13

The PS5 Pro exclusively offers PSSR, which was recently improved to PSSR 2.0 via a firmware update in March 2026.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PSSR's AI Upscaling for Graphics

expert_opinionpositivet=2:23–2:46

PSSR upscales games using AI for better resolution, even with settings like ray tracing enabled, making games look like they are 4K. The PSSR 2.0 update further improved these capabilities.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PSSR 2.0 Impact on Games (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077)

hands_on_demopositivet=2:57–3:22

Games like Cyberpunk 2077 can utilize higher ray tracing settings with PSSR 2.0 for a more lifelike experience. Most PS5 Pro games played by the reviewer are dramatically improved in both performance and graphics over their PS5 versions with the PSSR 2 update.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS5 Pro Performance vs. PS5 Price Difference Justification

reviewer_claimpositivet=3:30–3:39

For the $300 price difference between the PS5 and PS5 Pro, there is a pretty big difference in performance.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS5 Pro Price-to-Performance vs. Gaming PC

comparisonpositivet=3:55–4:34

For $900, the PS5 Pro offers better performance for the money compared to a similarly priced PC counterpart. A Digital Foundry video demonstrating a similar cost equivalent gaming PC, even without RAM, showed it would not perform as well as the PS5 Pro.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS6 Rumored Release Date

reviewer_claimneutralt=4:45–4:57

Rumors suggest a potential Fall 2027 release date for the PlayStation 6, which is still over a year out from the video's recording.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

Factors Influencing PS6 Release Date

expert_opinionneutralt=5:01–5:12

The PS6 release date could change due to factors like fluctuating RAM prices and Microsoft's next Xbox plans.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

Recommendation: PS5 Slim for Most Buyers

reviewer_claimpositivet=5:18–5:34

If choosing between a PS5 and PS5 Pro, the reviewer advises going for the PS5 Slim. The $600 digital PS5 Slim offers a wonderful lineup of first and third-party games.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

PS5 Slim Value vs. Alternatives (Series X, PC)

comparisonpositivet=5:34–5:41

Compared to alternatives, the PS5 Slim is a better pick-up than an Xbox Series X and still cheaper than a PC equivalent.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

Recommendation: Wait for PS6 over PS5 Pro Purchase

reviewer_claimnegativet=5:41–6:05

Despite loving the PS5 Pro and having no regrets buying it for $700 in 2024, the reviewer thinks it makes sense for most people to hold off and wait for the PS6, given its potential release a year and a half away.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zd1Hbj9Pxc

Quick answers

  • Should I buy a PS5 or PS5 Pro at the current prices? The reviewer advises buying the PS5 Slim Digital for $600, highlighting its great game lineup and better value compared to alternatives.
  • What are the key differences between the PS5 and PS5 Pro? The standard PS5 has 1TB of storage, while the PS5 Pro doubles it to 2TB.
  • Is the PS5 Pro a better value than a gaming PC? For $900, the PS5 Pro delivers superior performance compared to a gaming PC of a similar cost.
  • What are the current prices for the PS5 and PS5 Pro? The PS5 Slim Digital is currently priced at $600, and the disc version at $650, following multiple price increases since launch.

Buyer questions answered

Should I buy a PS5 or PS5 Pro at the current prices?

The reviewer advises buying the PS5 Slim Digital for $600, highlighting its great game lineup and better value compared to alternatives. While the PS5 Pro offers performance benefits, its $900 price makes it less appealing when the PS6 is potentially a year and a half away, making the standard PS5 a more sensible choice for most.

What are the key differences between the PS5 and PS5 Pro?

The standard PS5 has 1TB of storage, while the PS5 Pro doubles it to 2TB. More significantly, the PS5 Pro uniquely offers PSSR 2.0, an AI upscaling technology that enhances resolution and ray tracing, allowing games to look like 4K even with demanding settings. This results in dramatically improved performance and graphics for many games.

Is the PS5 Pro a better value than a gaming PC?

For $900, the PS5 Pro delivers superior performance compared to a gaming PC of a similar cost. The reviewer cites an example from Digital Foundry, which showed that a PC equivalent costing $900 (or more, not including RAM) would still not perform as well as the PS5 Pro.

What are the current prices for the PS5 and PS5 Pro?

The PS5 Slim Digital is currently priced at $600, and the disc version at $650, following multiple price increases since launch. The PS5 Pro has also seen hikes and now costs $900, though open box deals can sometimes be found for $750-$850.

Should I wait for the PS6 instead of buying a PS5 or PS5 Pro?

While rumors suggest a PS6 release in Fall 2027, which is still over a year away, the reviewer advises holding off on the PS5 Pro at its current $900 price point due to the PS6's proximity. Factors like fluctuating RAM prices and competitor actions could influence the actual release date, but waiting is suggested for those eyeing the Pro.

Specs mentioned in this review

PS5 vs PS5 Pro Storage Comparison
The standard PS5 has 1 TB of storage, while the PS5 Pro doubles that to 2 TB
PS5 Pro Exclusive PSSR 2.0 Feature
The PS5 Pro exclusively offers PSSR, which was recently improved to PSSR 2

Not covered in depth by this source

  • Not covered: Fit & Sizing
  • Not covered: Ride Feel
  • Not covered: Durability
  • Not covered: Stability
  • Not covered: Traction
  • Not covered: Weight
  • Not covered: Breathability

Why this source is included

85/100 source quality

  • • Independent of the brand
  • ✓ Hands-on demonstration
  • ✓ Specific testing or measurements
  • ✓ Clear sponsorship / relationship disclosure

Transcript summary

The video analyzes the current PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro consoles, focusing on recent price hikes, with the PS5 Slim now at $600 (digital) and the PS5 Pro at $900. It highlights key differences, including the PS5 Pro's doubled storage to 2TB and its exclusive PSSR 2.0 AI upscaling technology, which significantly enhances graphics and performance in games like Cyberpunk 2077. The reviewer also compares the PS5 Pro's price-to-performance against gaming PCs, concluding the console offers better value. Ultimately, the video recommends the standard PS5 Slim for most buyers and advises against purchasing the PS5 Pro at its current high price, suggesting users might be better off waiting for the rumored PS6 release in late 2027.

Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.

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