PS4 Pro is hitting retail on Nov. 10, and it certainly puts Sony and the PlayStation brand in an interesting position. With its trumped-up but constrained specs, the Pro is unlike any console before it. With that said, we question the public’s enthusiasm for the hardware. Here’s why we’re predicting a post-release flop.
1) Consumer Confusion: The PS4 Pro is the world’s introduction to the half-step console, and the public at large is still a little confused about the idea. In our line of work, it’s not uncommon to be asked what the difference is between the PS4 Pro and its codename, PS4 Neo. If identification mistakes are being made on that level, then it stands to reason that the public doesn’t really know what this product is. If that’s the case, expect niche-like sales.
It’s really troubling to see that, from our analysis, “PS4 Neo” still gets more search traffic than “PS4 Pro” considering only the latter name is going to be tossed around retail in a few weeks. It’s a quiet misunderstanding that could impact post-release numbers.
2) No New Exclusives To Go With It: If someone is investing in an expensive console, it helps to have some new exclusive experiences that push the hardware to its limits. When it comes to the PS4 Pro, there is nothing like that to speak of this year. Third-party support from the likes of Watch Dogs 2, Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 1 is a nice perk, but we can’t necessarily gauge just how much those studios have embraced the Pro. Will there be 1080p performance perks? Will the 4K resolution look good? Based on previews, the level of implementation varies.
Even if it’s a half-step, it’s mind boggling that this new console sku doesn’t have any new Sony support on day one. The Last Guardian, an exclusive 2016 game, doesn’t even have a confirmed Pro patch in the works. Older titles like Uncharted 4 and The Last Of Us: Remastered are getting enhanced for release, but where’s the fresh goods? It just seems like Sony is half asleep for this launch, and that’s not a great sign.
3) Sony’s Crowding The Hardware Market: Between the PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation VR and PS4 Slim, Sony is truly flooding the market with new hardware for the holidays. With so many choices, it might work to the Pro’s detriment. Let’s face it: from a mainstream perspective, the other two options are way more interesting.
PlayStation VR is expensive, but it’s a totally new way to play games that works perfectly fine with the cheaper $299 PS4 Slim. Tech consumers pay very close attention to aspects like innovation and cost, and those spaces are occupied by Slim and VR. The Pro’s upscaling tech is impressive for a console, but it’s not true 4K, and it costs $100 more than a redesigned system that will be perfectly functional for the foreseeable future. The PS4 Pro is not cheap nor truly revolutionary like those other skus.
4) It’s Not A Necessity: We touched on this above, but another weakness of the PS4 Pro is that it’s not exactly a necessary product. With that in mind, it becomes something that’s very easy for shoppers to pass on. Even with the 4K TV to support Pro, playing on a standard PS4 will be more than fine for the next few years. The Pro is a luxury product for the niche, diehard enthusiasts that want it.
The standard PS4, on the other hand, has been widely adopted by more than 40 million players worldwide. Developers aren’t going to ditch that massive install base anytime soon, so one can expect an equal software lineup for either $300 or $400. As long as that fact is communicated to the average Joe, the Pro will be left behind shortly after its release.
5) It’s A Little Too Early For 4K: The biggest draw for the PS4 Pro its its high-end specs that are capable of producing upscaled 4K visuals. 4K television sales are definitely on the rise, but the tech is far from critical mass at this point in time. The vast majority of 4K HDR sets that the Pro can properly take advantage of cost north of $1,000. That’s still a huge ask for most people.
In the months following its launch, this fact could be the PS4 Pro’s biggest hamstring. If it’s still on the market for the 2017 holiday season, its value will be much clearer as TV prices drop. We’re not quite there yet, though. Sony probably put out the Pro a year earlier than it should have.
The PS4 Pro hits retail on Nov. 10 for $399. If you're undecided, check out our features that explain why you should and shouldn’t buy the console on day one!
Do you think the PS4 Pro will flop in its post-release months? Tell us in the comments section!
