The PS5 Pro is here — a more powerful mid-generation upgrade to the PlayStation 5. It promises better graphics, smoother performance, and enhanced visuals through ray tracing and upscaling tech. But while the console is certainly capable, the real-world gains depend heavily on one thing: your TV.
This guide breaks down the PS5 Pro’s actual improvements, what kind of display you need to unlock them, and whether the upgrade is worth it — or if your money is better spent on a new TV first.
What’s New in the PS5 Pro?
The PS5 Pro brings several key upgrades over the base PS5. These aren’t revolutionary changes, but they do offer meaningful performance improvements — especially for gamers who want more visual fidelity and stability.
Key Upgrades:
- Stronger GPU: Up to 45% faster graphics performance for better resolution and frame rates.
- PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution): Sony’s new upscaling tech that sharpens images without a big performance cost.
- Improved Ray Tracing: More realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games.
- More Stable Frame Rates: Performance and Quality modes are both smoother in demanding titles.
- Support for 4K at 120Hz and 8K output: Though very few games take full advantage of these formats right now.
What Your TV Needs to Unlock the PS5 Pro
While the PS5 Pro has the power, your TV is the gatekeeper to how much of it you actually experience. Without the right display features, most of the improvements won’t show up — or will be limited.
Required TV Features:
- HDMI 2.1 – Enables high-bandwidth features like 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate – For games that support high frame rates.
- VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) – Smooths out gameplay and eliminates screen tearing.
- HDR10 or Dolby Vision – For vibrant colors, deep blacks, and brighter highlights.
- Low Input Lag/Game Mode – Makes the console feel more responsive in fast-paced games.
What Happens on Different TV Setups?
Your experience with the PS5 Pro varies drastically depending on your display.
TV Meets None of the Requirements
- Small improvements in frame rate, especially in performance mode.
- Small improvements in visual quality, especially in quality mode.
- No HDR, VRR, or high refresh support.
- No ray tracing or PSSR benefits — they’re mostly invisible.
- The console is heavily underutilized in this setup.
TV Meets All Requirements
- Stable 4K60 gameplay, with VRR helping smooth out performance dips.
- Select games support 120 FPS for ultra-smooth competitive play.
- Ray tracing effects look richer and sharper.
- PSSR upscaling improves visual clarity with minimal performance hit.
- HDR visuals really pop — with brighter highlights and deeper contrast.
- Low input lag improves overall responsiveness, especially in fast-paced games.
Note: Remember that some of these benefits depend on developer support, research each game first!
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
That depends on your TV and your gaming priorities.
✅ It’s worth it if:
- You already own or plan to buy a TV with HDMI 2.1, VRR, and 120Hz.
- You care about visual polish, performance stability, and smoother gameplay — even at 60 FPS.
- You play supported titles that leverage the PS5 Pro’s GPU, ray tracing, and PSSR.
- You want a more future-ready console for the next wave of demanding games.
❌ It may not be worth it if:
- You’re using a basic 4K TV with no high-end features.
- You mostly play games that haven’t been enhanced for the PS5 Pro.
- You’re fine with the visuals and performance of the base PS5.
- You’d need to buy a new TV just to justify the upgrade.
Should You Upgrade Your TV First?
If your TV lacks the required features, a display upgrade might be the smarter move — especially since even the base PS5 benefits from better visuals and smoother gameplay on modern TVs.
Why a TV upgrade might make more sense first:
- HDR adds visual depth and richness, even without a Pro console.
- VRR and 120Hz improve motion clarity and frame pacing on any console.
- A good gaming TV now will also support the next-gen consoles to come.
- Entry price range for 100% supported TVs are getting lower ($500 – $700).
Final Thoughts
The PS5 Pro is a well-built upgrade — not revolutionary, but noticeably better under the right conditions. Its improvements come down to visual clarity, frame rate stability, and next-gen polish, but most of those benefits are locked behind your TV’s capabilities.
If you already have a modern display that supports HDMI 2.1, 120Hz, VRR, and HDR, the PS5 Pro is a strong value. If not, your money might be better spent on a display that helps any console perform better — and sets you up for the future.
