Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) vs Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) | Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 825 GB | 2048 GB |
| Disc drive | true | false |
Between the PlayStation 5 (Launch) and PlayStation 5 Pro, the PlayStation 5 (Launch) comes out ahead in disc drive, while the PlayStation 5 Pro wins on storage. Overall, the PlayStation 5 (Launch) scores 71.1 and the PlayStation 5 Pro scores 81 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The PlayStation 5 Pro is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.9 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the PlayStation 5 (Launch) if you care most about disc drive. The biggest gaps in its favor are disc drive. The single most decisive one: Has Disc drive.
Pick the PlayStation 5 Pro if you care most about storage. Its strongest claims are storage. The single most decisive one: Storage — 148.24% more. 2048 GB vs 825 GB.
Both ship with comparable ram, max resolution, max refresh, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the PlayStation 5 Pro is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) or Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro?
Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro leads the current Mars Score by 9.9 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare storage against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) if…
Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) has the measurable edge on has disc drive.
Choose Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro if…
Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro has the measurable edge on storage gb.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) wins
- ▲Has Disc drive.
Why Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro wins
- ▲Storage — 148.24% more. 2048 GB vs 825 GB.
Spec comparison
Performance
| Spec | Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) | Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Zen 2 8-core | AMD Zen 2 8-core |
| GPU | AMD RDNA 2 (10.3 TFLOPS) | AMD RDNA 3 (~16.7 TFLOPS) |
| RAMⓘ | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Max resolution | 8K | 8K |
| Max refreshⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Ray tracing | true | true |
| VRRⓘ | true | true |
Storage
| Spec | Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) | Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Storageⓘ | 825 GB | 2048 GBlead |
| Storage typeⓘ | NVMe SSD | NVMe SSD |
| Expandable storageⓘ | true | true |
Design & I/O
| Spec | Sony - PlayStation 5 (Launch) | Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | truelead | false |
| HDMIⓘ | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| USB ports | 4 | 4 |
| Weight | 4.5 kg | 3.1 kglead |
| VR support | true | true |
Frequently asked
Does PlayStation 5 (Launch) or PlayStation 5 Pro have a disc drive?+
PlayStation 5 (Launch) has a disc drive; PlayStation 5 Pro is digital-only.
Which has more storage, PlayStation 5 (Launch) or PlayStation 5 Pro?+
PlayStation 5 Pro ships with 2048GB of NVMe SSD.
Which supports higher refresh rates, PlayStation 5 (Launch) or PlayStation 5 Pro?+
PlayStation 5 Pro supports up to 120Hz vs 120Hz.