PS5 Pro vs. New Xbox Series X: What to Expect from the Premium Consoles

4 min readApr 6, 2024

Rumors abound regarding the potential release of new models for both the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and the Xbox Series X by the end of this year. Sony is purportedly set to unveil an upgraded PS5 Pro model with enhanced power compared to the standard PS5, similar to what the PS4 Pro offered for the PlayStation 4 (PS4). Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly gearing up to launch a redesigned version of the Xbox Series X codenamed Brooklin, featuring a new color and no disc drive.

To provide insight into these developments, we’ve compiled a roundup of the main rumors surrounding the supposed new consoles from Sony and Microsoft, comparing the anticipated advancements. Below, discover everything we know based on leaked information and the differences between the proposals.

Power

The new PS5 Pro is poised to deliver more power than the standard PS5. Leaks suggest that while the console will feature the same processor, it will include a high-frequency mode adding 10% extra power and a graphics unit that is 45% faster, capable of calculating 33.5 Teraflops. It will also feature a proprietary graphics scaling technology similar to Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR, called PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution Upscaling), enabling consistent 4K resolutions at 60 fps.

On the other hand, the new Xbox Series X Brooklin will offer components and power similar to those found in the current console, albeit with lower power consumption and without a disc drive.

Digital Focus

The major innovation with the Xbox Series X Brooklin is its lack of a disc drive for physical media, akin to the Xbox Series S or the digital edition of the PlayStation 5 (PS5). According to store rumors, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are heavily focused on digital sales, with many retailers aiming to reduce their physical game stocks in the future.

Design

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding the PS5 Pro so far is its appearance, as no images have been leaked yet. Sony typically incorporates visual elements to distinguish different console versions — like the three layers of the PS4 Pro instead of the two in the PS4 Slim. The new PS5 Slim, for instance, features a line dividing the console into two parts, so the PS5 Pro might have another line dividing it into three parts, although this is purely speculative.

The Xbox Series X Brooklin initially had a design image leaked by Microsoft itself during the FTC (United States Federal Trade Commission) lawsuit over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by the manufacturer. At that time, the console was depicted as cylindrical rather than the current cuboid shape of the Xbox Series X. However, a new image showed the purported new Xbox with the same square-shaped design as the standard console, albeit in white, which seems like a more plausible design.

Price

As of now, neither model has an official price, but rumors and previous pricing models from the manufacturers can provide insights. The PS5 Pro is expected to cost around $599, $100 more than the standard PS5, which retails for $499. The new Xbox Series X will likely be sold at the same price of $499 as the current model, perhaps offering some user benefits such as more storage space.

There’s also the possibility that the new Xbox Series X Brooklin could be slightly cheaper, such as $449 or $399, but analysts have previously commented that they don’t believe this console generation will see price cuts.

Release

Date Both consoles are slated for release in late 2024. Typically, launches occur in November, before Thanksgiving on the 28th — a period when sales for the holiday season ramp up. The release date for the PS5 Pro is almost certain, while the new Xbox Series X Brooklin only has leaked plans indicating its launch for this year, but these could change internally according to the company’s strategies.

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