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

Despite mixed initial reactions, the PS5 Pro's sales projections remain strong, according to industry analysts. The new console also reignites speculation about a potential PlayStation handheld device.

Analyst Forecasts Robust PS5 Pro Sales Despite Price Increase

Enhanced PS5 Pro Capabilities Fuel Handheld Console Rumors

The $700 PS5 Pro, launched in November 2024, is projected to achieve sales comparable to the PS4 Pro, according to Ampere Analysis. While acknowledging the significant price difference between the PS5 and PS5 Pro (40-50%), exceeding the PS4/PS4 Pro launch gap, market research director Piers Harding-Rolls anticipates approximately 1.3 million units sold during the initial launch window. This is roughly 400,000 units fewer than the PS4 Pro's launch sales in 2016.

Harding-Rolls notes that the higher price might dampen demand, but that PlayStation enthusiasts are less likely to be deterred by cost. The PS4 Pro ultimately sold around 14.5 million units, representing about 12% of total PS4 sales, with a projected sell-through of approximately 13 million units over five years. (Sell-through refers to direct consumer purchases from retailers.)

The PS5 Pro also promises enhanced performance for PSVR2 games, leveraging its upgraded GPU for higher resolutions, according to lead architect Mark Cerny. While specific titles haven't been confirmed, Cerny confirmed compatibility with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-assisted upscaling feature. Furthermore, the PS5 Pro maintains compatibility with existing PS5 accessories like the PS Portal.

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