PS5 Pro in May 2026: is it still worth 800 euros?
Sony's most powerful console since launch has gained better PSSR resolutions and 50 games that use the full potential, but a memory-bandwidth problem still divides the player community.
Is the PS5 Pro still a smart buy in May 2026, or should you wait for the PS6? For someone who does not have any current-generation console, yes. For someone who already owns the regular PS5, an upgrade only makes sense if you fall into a specific category of player. Six months ago, the answer was different. Now we have real data and we can be precise.
The retail price has settled at around 800 euros for the console with the 2 TB drive, lower than the launch number from last year.
What has changed since launch
Sony has steadily improved the Pro’s headline feature, PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) technology, month by month. The May 2026 version produces a substantially cleaner image than the original November 2024 release.
The second big shift is the number of games that use the full potential of Pro hardware. At launch there were fewer than 20 with a Pro patch. Today there are over 50, including every big release like Avowed, Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Gran Turismo 7.
1. Where the Pro really pays off
If you have a 4K TV with Variable Refresh Rate support, the difference is visible. Avowed runs at 30 fps in Quality mode on a regular PS5. On Pro it runs 4K at 60 fps with an unlocked framerate, producing a noticeably smoother experience.
Gran Turismo 7 with PSSR and ray tracing is an example of what the Pro can look like when a developer puts the work in. 4K with a high framerate, ray-traced reflections, and no thermal issues.
2. Where the Pro does NOT pay off
Not every game has a Pro patch. A meaningful share of mid-format games, indie games, retro collections and many titles released before 2024 see no visible difference on Pro hardware.
If your library mostly falls into that category, the Pro adds nothing. There is no point in paying the extra 300 euros over a regular PS5.
3. The memory-bandwidth problem
This is a hardware limitation software cannot route around. The PS5 Pro has the same memory bandwidth as the regular PS5. With a more powerful GPU, certain scenarios hit a bottleneck where the graphics card can deliver more than memory feeds it.
In practice, that means PSSR produces brilliant results in some games and visual artifacts (texture shimmer, slight motion blur) in others. This is not a flaw in the algorithm, it is the consequence of a hardware decision Sony could not undo.
Games worth playing on Pro hardware
| Game | What you get on Pro |
|---|---|
| Avowed | 4K 60 fps with VRR |
| Assassin’s Creed Shadows | 4K 60 fps, ray tracing |
| Gran Turismo 7 | 4K 120 fps, ray tracing |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | Stable 4K 60 fps |
| Hellblade 2 | 4K 60 fps |
What about GTA 6
GTA 6 ships on November 19, 2026, and it will be a major test for the PS5 Pro. Rockstar already showed in the trailer that the game targets 60 fps on Pro hardware, an enticing reason for anyone not yet on the current console generation.
If you are choosing right now between waiting for GTA 6 with a regular PS5 or playing it on Pro, the difference is real. In an open world that size, framerate and texture quality reshape the experience.
Our recommendation
For a new buyer without a PS5: if you plan to play big titles over the next two years and have a 4K TV, the Pro is worth 800 euros. If your budget cannot stretch past 500 euros, a regular PS5 still plays all the same games.
For a regular PS5 owner: the upgrade is only worth it if you mostly play big games that have a Pro patch and you have a decent TV. If more than 70 percent of your time goes into games without a patch, the upgrade is just throwing money away.
The next big opportunity for Sony is the PS6, which industry analysts expect in 2027 or 2028.
