Sony has no real reason to sell the PS5 Pro at a lower price.

Just in: Sony could make the price of the PlayStation 5 Pro unaffordable for everyone.

According to industry insider Jeff Grubb, the PS5 Pro could retail for around $600. Some even estimate a price of just under $700.

For comparison, the PlayStation 4 Pro retailed at $399 when it was launched in 2016. This means that the PS5 Pro is far beyond the budget of the average gamer, even when the price of the PS4 Pro is adjusted for inflation.

With improved graphics, faster loading times, and improved performance, the PS5 Pro promises a top-notch gaming experience. But these upgrades come at a price, both in terms of research and development and the components required to deliver such performance.

In addition, global economic factors play a significant role in console pricing strategy. Sony has already increased the prices of the standard PS5 in some regions outside the US, citing external conditions and fluctuations in the global economy as the reason.

The most recent example of this price increase just happened in Japan, where Sony’s standard and digital edition PS5 consoles now cost up to $90 more.

The timing of the PS5 Pro’s alleged announcement and subsequent release could also impact the price. With Microsoft recently announcing a 2TB Xbox Series X priced at $600, Sony might feel confident enough to set a higher price.

Among the factors affecting the price of the PS5 Pro, the next Nintendo Switch console is also affected. It is not impossible that Nintendo will delay the release as long as possible until it can guarantee that it will sell enough to make up for the projected loss in sales of the Nintendo Switch, which continues to dominate the sales charts worldwide.

The prospect of spending more than $500 on a console is likely to put off many potential buyers. This was similar to the PlayStation 3, which cost $599 at launch. Despite initial criticism, the PS3 sold nearly 88 million units, just over half the sales of the PlayStation 2 – the best-selling video game console of all time.

With the China Hero Project and a number of first-party exclusives coming next year, as well as Black Myth: Wukong, likely to help boost PS5 Pro sales in China, it’s not surprising that Sony is pricing the as-yet-unannounced console so high.

Not to mention, Sony has always had a great track record of selling high-quality gaming products outside of its main consoles. The PSVR 2 has had strong sales despite its high price tag. Even the PS Portal, which is literally just a $200 remote control device, is selling well.

A $600 PS5 Pro would be out of reach for most, but Sony doesn’t need it to serve 90% of the market. However, for those who want to see the latest games at their absolute best – and PSVR2 owners who want to enjoy higher frame rates and better refresh rates – the PS5 Pro is an easy sell.

However, you won’t have much time to save up for the PS5 Pro. It is expected to be released before the end of the year after being unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show 2024 next month. Hideo Kojima is already hinting at Þjórsárdalurwhich only increases the hype.

Until Sony officially announces the PS5 Pro and its price, all of this information remains speculative. The actual price could differ from these predictions, and Sony could still surprise us with a more competitive pricing strategy. However, given the current economic climate and the trend of rising console prices, it seems unlikely that the PS5 Pro will launch at a lower price than current estimates.