PS4 Pro releases in just a few weeks, and this high-spec PlayStation has proven to be a polarizing device. Earlier in the week we discussed five reasons it might fail, so, in the interest of journalistic fairness, here’s another perspective. Here’s why Sony’s next hardware launch could be a success.
1) PlayStation VR: Sony has positioned the PS4 Pro as a premium product designed for hardcore Sony fans. In other words, it’s targeted at the kind of people that like being at the tip of the sword for the company’s latest hardware no matter the cost.
As luck would have it, a good chunk of that crowd is willing to pick up a brand new PSVR headset. While advertising about the Pro has been thin in terms of providing performance boosts for 1080p games, it was said that VR experiences will run at higher framerates on the new system. Anyone investing in PSVR today likely takes it very seriously, and that audience could be hungry for any spec advantage that makes the immersion better. To the VR evangelical, PlayStation 4 Pro may be a necessary investment.
2) 4K TV Deals: The other end of the spectrum for the PS4 Pro’s value is its upscaled 4K visuals. A compatible display is still pretty expensive, but this console is releasing during the holiday season for a reason. Like every recent Black Friday before it, the one in 2016 will assuredly feature more than a few 4K TV deals for hundreds of dollars below MSRP.
4K TV content, even movies, are somewhat lagging so what better way to take advantage of that higher resolution than a PS4 Pro? To the tech-savvy consumer Sony’s new console is probably one of the best gateways to the new standard. The Xbox One S can do some upscaling too, but Sony is pushing developers to work with 4K from the ground up. It’s also got higher specs too. In terms of resolutions, that almost always means better performance and quality. The PS4 Pro is being marketed as the 4K leader right now.
3) People Like New Stuff: Speaking of the Xbox One S, both journalists and analysts have expressed a bit of confusion as to why Microsoft’s hardware redesign has experienced such continued growth with the Xbox One Scorpio just a year away. The simple fact is, people like new stuff, and the PS4 Pro will be new in November.
If Microsoft’s new Xbox can spark market interest with a smaller form factor, there’s no reason why Sony’s alternative can’t similarly benefit. The price increase to $400 may be a hard sell in some cases, but even that’s still a widely accepted threshold. New is always somewhat interesting.
4) Cheap Showcase Software: In our counter article we mentioned that Sony won’t be supporting the PS4 Pro with many new games at launch. At least the old ones that are compatible are pretty cheap. Titles like The Last Of Us: Remastered, InFAMOUS First Light and Uncharted 4 can all be found for $20 or less at regular price or on sale. $400 for the system definitely isn’t cheap, but the post-release showcase titles are. They’re also favorably reviewed too.
Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro launch lineup probably isn’t the most ideal one, but there is a cost advantage to it.
5) PS4 Is Already Successful: The Xbox One is performing respectably during this console generation, but there’s no debate that the PS4 has been a much bigger success. It’s sold well over 40 million units over the past three years, while Microsoft hasn’t even talked about Xbox sales stats. Most anecdotal evidence suggests that Sony has sold nearly twice as many PS4s as its closest rival.
Given that the public seems predisposed to buying PS4s already, the PlayStation 4 Pro will likely benefit from the success of the first sku. Especially for new adopters, the $100 difference between standard and Pro may not seem like a big deal if the box is going to be used. Plus, anyone that invests in a Pro can still play with their friends that have the older console. The same word of mouth that helped the PS4 rise to the top will also inevitably improve the Pro’s chances too.
PlayStation 4 Pro hits retail on Nov. 10. Still trying to decide if Sony’s console is right for you? Check out our lists of five reasons you should and should not buy one!
Do you think the PS4 Pro will be a success? Is it destined to fail? Tell us in the comments section!
