The PlayStation 5 Pro has officially launched in South Africa, with retailers like Incredible, Hi-Fi Corp, Takealot, Koodoo, Computer Mania, and Game offering the enhanced console for R19,499.
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Unveiled by Sony in early September 2024, the PS5 Pro boasts significant upgrades over the standard model. Lead architect Mark Cerny highlighted the console’s ability to run select games at higher resolutions and frame rates without requiring mode switching. Key improvements include enhanced ray tracing, which Sony claims offers double or even triple the ray casting speeds of the original PS5, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-powered upscaling technology designed to deliver sharper image clarity.
The PS5 Pro offers a 45% increase in rendering performance compared to its predecessor. While it lacks a built-in disc drive, Sony sells it separately, and Koodoo is offering a bundle with the drive for R22,199. Sony also confirmed that several existing games, including Hogwarts Legacy, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Spider-Man 2, will receive free software updates to leverage the Pro’s enhanced capabilities. “Simply put, it’s the most powerful console we’ve ever built,” stated Cerny.
Gamefinity, the distributor, revealed the R19,499 recommended retail price in October 2024, initially stating that shipping would begin on Friday, December 13, 2024. Despite earlier concerns about potential delays due to regulatory clearance and supply chain issues, these obstacles appear to have been overcome. Gamefinity CEO Mario Dos Santos had previously indicated they were awaiting certification from two regulatory bodies, but expressed confidence that the launch would occur before the end of the year.
The US price of $699 (excluding VAT) translates to approximately R12,500 at current exchange rates. The South African retail price of R19,499 is lower than anticipated, especially considering taxes, import duties, and exchange rate fluctuations, which had led to estimates of a R20,000 price point.
