Following the PS5 Pro's launch, industry experts analyze its projected sales. Meanwhile, the new console reignites earlier speculation about a potential PlayStation handheld.

Analyst Forecasts PS5 Pro Sales Despite Price Increase

PS5 Pro's Enhanced Features Fuel "PS5 Handheld" Speculation

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

Ampere Analysis projects around 1.3 million PS5 Pro units sold during its November 2024 launch window—approximately 400,000 fewer than the PS4 Pro's launch sales in 2016. Harding-Rolls highlights the US launch prices: PS4 Pro at $399 and the slim PS4 at $299 (a 33% difference). He acknowledges the PS5 Pro's price may dampen demand, but believes PlayStation enthusiasts will be less price-sensitive. Sony ultimately sold approximately 14.5 million PS4 Pro units. Ampere estimates the PS4 Pro represented about 12% of total PS4 sales, projecting a five-year sell-through of roughly 13 million units. (Sell-through refers to consumer purchases directly from retailers.)

Furthermore, PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny confirmed PS5 Pro enhancements for PSVR2 games. In a statement to CNET, Cerny cited the improved GPU enabling higher resolutions for PSVR2 titles, though specific games haven't been named.

Cerny also mentioned the PS5 Pro's AI-assisted upscaling, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, will be compatible with PSVR2. The PS5 Pro also supports existing PS5 accessories like the PS Portal.

This PS Portal compatibility, coupled with previous rumors of a portable PlayStation console capable of running PS5 games, has resurfaced speculation. While unconfirmed, the PS5 Pro's advanced capabilities could potentially revitalize PlayStation's handheld offerings.