The Challenge of Selling a PS5 Pro Without a Clear Elevator Pitch

The recent leak of technical documents about the PS5 Pro, codenamed Trinity, has provided insight into Sony's hardware plans. The new console is expected to arrive in time for the 2024 holiday season, earlier than anticipated, and will primarily feature a GPU specification bump. This launch timing puts the PS5 Pro in direct competition with Microsoft's Xbox Series X, which is also rumored to receive a spec bump and redesign. The challenge for Sony lies in creating a compelling marketing message for the PS5 Pro, as it lacks a clear justification for its existence, such as a major game like GTA 6, which is not expected to release until later. The PS4 Pro was able to justify its existence by supporting 4K displays, but the PS5 Pro does not have a similar selling point. Sony must navigate the delicate task of promoting the PS5 Pro without implicitly denigrating the standard PS5 console, which has performance issues in certain games. The company's messaging strategy will be crucial in determining the success of the PS5 Pro, and factors such as the console's physical design and any potential bundles or marketing campaigns will also play a significant role.