Analyst expects PS5 Pro to sell at PS4 Pro levels, despite relatively high price

Research firm Ampere Analysis expects PS5 Pro sales to reach a similar level to those of PS4 Pro, despite the newly announced console’s relatively high price point.

Sony used a technical presentation on Tuesday to finally unveil the long-anticipated PS5 Pro, which will launch in November priced at $699.99 / £699.99 / €799.99 / ¥119,980.

“The price point of the PS5 Pro will inevitably cause a lot of commentary,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, research director for games at Ampere Analysis. “The price point differential between the PS5 and PS5 Pro is between 40-50%, which is significantly more than the differential between the PS4 and PS4 Pro at launch.

“In the US, the PS4 Pro launched at $399 and the slim PS4 was $299 at the time, a 33% differential. Additionally, the slim PS4 had a retail price of $299 having dropped from the original PS4 launch price of $399.”

Nevertheless, Ampere expects Sony to sell around 1.3 million PS5 Pros during the console’s 2024 launch window, compared to 1.7 million PS4 Pros sold at launch in 2016.

“We expect the price point to soften demand with some consumers, but for PlayStation enthusiasts the pricing is less of a consideration,” Harding-Rolls suggested.

Lifetime PS4 Pro sales reached 14.5 million units, accounting for around 12% of total PS4 sales, according to Ampere’s data. The firm is forecasting a similar dynamic for the PS5 Pro, with sell-through of around 13 million units by 2029.

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“PS5 Pro pricing reflects Sony’s adjusted strategy to protect its margin, generally supply chain inflation and a lack of direct competitor to its mid-cycle upgrade compared to last generation (where Microsoft was preparing the Xbox One X),” Harding-Rolls said.

“The lack of competition means it is an easier decision for Sony to run with a higher price point to protect its existing margins. For most prospective PS5 consumers, the standard edition will represent the value sweet spot.”