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

Recent PS5 Pro launch sparks analyst debate on sales projections. Elsewhere, the new console reignites speculation about a potential PlayStation handheld.

Analyst Perspective on PS5 Pro Sales: Price Point Considerations

PS5 Pro's Enhanced Capabilities Fuel Handheld Console Rumors

Despite a $700 price tag, analysts predict the PS5 Pro will achieve sales comparable to the PS4 Pro. Ampere Analysis' Piers Harding-Rolls notes a significant price difference (40-50%) between the PS5 and PS5 Pro, exceeding the PS4 and PS4 Pro launch gap. They project approximately 1.3 million PS5 Pro units sold during the November 2024 launch window – 400,000 fewer than the PS4 Pro's initial launch sales.

Harding-Rolls points out the US launch price disparity: $399 for the PS4 Pro versus $299 for the slim PS4 (a 33% difference). He suggests the PS5 Pro's price might dampen demand, but believes PlayStation enthusiasts will be less price-sensitive. The PS4 Pro ultimately sold around 14.5 million units, representing approximately 12% of total PS4 sales, with projected sales of around 13 million units over five years. Sell-through, in this context, refers to direct consumer purchases from retailers.

PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny highlighted PS5 Pro's performance enhancements for PSVR2 games, citing improved GPU capabilities for higher resolutions. He confirmed compatibility with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-assisted upscaling feature. The PS5 Pro also supports existing PS5 accessories like the PS Portal.

This PS Portal compatibility fuels speculation about a potential new PlayStation handheld, reviving earlier rumors of a device capable of running PS5 games. While unconfirmed, the PS5 Pro's advanced features could indeed pave the way for a new handheld console.