PS5 Pro Sales Unaffected by Negative Reviews

Recent PS5 Pro launch prompts analysts to forecast its sales performance. Meanwhile, the new console reignites earlier speculation about a potential PlayStation handheld.

Analyst Perspective on PS5 Pro Sales and Pricing

Enhanced PS5 Pro Capabilities Fuel Handheld Console Rumors

Despite a significant price increase ($700), industry analysts predict the PS5 Pro will achieve sales comparable to the PS4 Pro. Ampere Analysis' Piers Harding-Rolls notes the substantial price difference (40-50%) between the PS5 and PS5 Pro, considerably larger than the PS4 and PS4 Pro gap at launch.

Ampere Analysis projects approximately 1.3 million PS5 Pro units sold during its November 2024 launch window—400,000 fewer than the PS4 Pro's initial launch sales in 2016. Harding-Rolls highlights the price disparity: the PS4 Pro launched at $399, while the slim PS4 was $299 (a 33% difference), compared to the PS5 and PS5 Pro's larger gap. While acknowledging the price may curb demand, he believes PlayStation enthusiasts will be less price-sensitive. Sony sold approximately 14.5 million PS4 Pro units; Ampere estimates the PS4 Pro represented about 12% of total PS4 sales, with projected sales of around 13 million units over five years. (*Sell-through refers to direct consumer purchases from retailers.)

Furthermore, PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny confirmed PS5 Pro enhancements for PSVR2 games, citing improved GPU performance for higher resolutions. While specific titles haven't been announced, the PS5 Pro's AI-assisted upscaling, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, will eventually support PSVR2. The PS5 Pro also boasts compatibility with other PS5 accessories like the PS Portal.

This PS Portal compatibility has fueled speculation about a potential new portable PlayStation console, reviving earlier rumors of a PS5 handheld capable of running PS5 games. While unconfirmed, the PS5 Pro's capabilities could indeed lead to a new handheld offering.