PS5 Pro's Poor Reception Does Nothing to Slow Sales Projections

Recent PS5 Pro sales projections remain strong despite mixed initial reactions. Analysts offer insights into expected sales figures and the console's potential impact on future PlayStation products.

Analyst Predictions for PS5 Pro Sales Despite Price Increase

Enhanced PS5 Pro Capabilities Fuel Speculation of a New Handheld Console

The $700 PS5 Pro's launch is anticipated to generate sales comparable to the PS4 Pro, according to Ampere Analysis. Despite a significant price difference compared to the standard PS5 (a 40-50% increase, much higher than the PS4/PS4 Pro launch gap), Ampere projects approximately 1.3 million PS5 Pro units sold during its November 2024 launch window. This is about 400,000 units fewer than the PS4 Pro's initial launch sales in 2016.

Ampere's Piers Harding-Rolls notes that while the price may dampen demand, enthusiasts are less price-sensitive. The PS4 Pro ultimately sold around 14.5 million units, representing about 12% of total PS4 sales, with an estimated 13 million unit sell-through within five years. Sell-through, in this context, refers to direct consumer purchases from retailers.

The PS5 Pro's enhanced GPU will boost PSVR2 performance, according to PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny. Higher resolutions for PSVR2 games are expected, though specific titles haven't been announced. The console's PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution upscaling technology will also be compatible with PSVR2. Furthermore, the PS5 Pro maintains compatibility with existing PS5 accessories, including the PS Portal.

This PS Portal compatibility, coupled with earlier rumors of a PlayStation handheld capable of running PS5 games, has rekindled speculation about a new portable PlayStation console. While unconfirmed, the PS5 Pro's advanced capabilities suggest a potential evolution of PlayStation's handheld offerings.