The PS5 Pro is on the horizon, but what about the promises Sony made for the base PS5? Ray tracing, 4K, and 8K – let's talk about what's missing.
Sony’s PlayStation 5 launched with big promises—features like ray tracing, 4K gaming at 60 frames per second (fps), even 120 fps for select titles. And let’s not forget the bold claim that the console was “future-proofed” for 8K gaming. For those lucky enough to snag a PS5, those promises were music to our ears. But fast forward to now, and we’re already hearing buzz about the PS5 Pro.
It begs the question: what happened to everything the original PS5 was supposed to do? With the 8K label now quietly removed from the PS5’s box, many gamers are left feeling a little… skeptical. Let’s break down what was promised for the base PS5 and what the PS5 Pro might finally deliver.
The Ray Tracing Dream
One of the most exciting features promised for the base PS5 was real-time ray tracing. We were told that games would reach new levels of realism, with lifelike lighting and reflections transforming the gaming experience. While some titles, like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, delivered on this promise, it hasn’t exactly become the standard we were led to believe.
Most games either have ray tracing at 30 fps or none at all—meaning the “ray tracing at 60 fps” dream remains just that: a dream.
4K, 120 fps… Sort of
Sony hyped the PS5’s ability to consistently hit 4K resolution at 60 fps, offering smooth and stunning visuals. And sure, we’ve seen some impressive games pull it off, but more often than not, we have to choose between performance mode (lower resolution, higher frame rate) and resolution mode (higher resolution, lower frame rate).
And what about those 120 fps experiences? While it’s available in select games, they usually come at the cost of dropping the resolution to something much less than 4K. So much for that seamless high-performance gaming experience across the board.
The Vanishing 8K Promise
Remember when the PS5 was advertised as being “future-proofed” for 8K gaming? If you don’t, you’re not alone—because that promise quietly disappeared from the PS5’s packaging. Early PS5 boxes sported the 8K logo, signaling that Sony was confident in this next-gen feature. But as it stands today, we’re still waiting for 8K to even be a realistic option.
Is Sony hoping to deliver on this with the PS5 Pro, or is it quietly sweeping this promise under the rug? Time will tell, but it’s certainly something worth watching for.
Is the PS5 Pro Really the Answer?
Now with the PS5 Pro on the horizon, it feels like Sony is asking us to buy into the next-gen dream all over again. Sure, it’s likely the Pro will bring hardware upgrades that might actually make some of these promises a reality. But should we really need a “Pro” version to experience what we were initially sold on?
If Sony can nail 4K gaming with higher frame rates and finally introduce 8K support, it might just redeem some of those earlier letdowns. But it’s fair to be skeptical about whether the PS5 Pro will actually live up to the hype or if we’re just going to be in the same boat two years from now, waiting for another “Pro” upgrade.
Conclusion
While there’s excitement about the upcoming PS5 Pro, it’s hard not to feel a little disappointed by the base PS5’s unrealized potential. From ray tracing to 8K gaming, Sony set the bar high but didn’t quite deliver across the board. Will the PS5 Pro finally fulfill these promises, or are we destined to keep chasing that next-gen dream?
If you’re ready to upgrade, consider selling your old PlayStation to Gizmogo. With free quotes and shipping, it’s a hassle-free way to make room (and cash) for your next console!