PS5 Pro Tested on Samsung’s 8K TV: A Wholly Different Experience?

In this second part, we are conducting a comprehensive test of the PS5 Pro, just a few days after the unboxing that allowed us to explore the machine in detail. Our test is unique in that we are among the only ones worldwide to have tested the PS5 Pro on an 8K television. This is not just any TV; it is one of Samsung’s latest 2024 models, a QLED QD900D with a 75-inch screen. This setup provides us with the opportunity to conduct our PS5 Pro game optimization tests under optimal conditions and most importantly, to test the first 8K games on the machine, such as “No Man’s Land,” “The Touryst,” or the upcoming “Gran Turismo 7 PS5 Pro Enhanced.”

When discussing specific titles such as Alan Wake 2, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Baldur’s Gate 3, Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Dead Island 2, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, God of War Ragnarok, Hogwarts Legacy, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, Stellar Blade, The Callisto Protocol, and others, it is crucial to understand that the performance improvements for each of the 50 PS5 Pro Enhanced games differ. Some titles significantly benefit from the PS5 Pro enhancements, while others may appear largely unchanged without careful observation or specialized tools like those provided by Digital Foundry. The extent of improvement depends on the developers’ optimization efforts. In some cases, new modes are available in the game settings to indicate PS5 Pro-specific features, such as in Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster, and The Last of Us 2 Remastered. Other times, there is no clear indication that a game has been optimized for PS5 Pro, leaving players to identify improvements on their own, like with Alan Wake 2, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Call of Duty Black Ops 6, or Microids’ ants. For gamers capable of noticing differences between 30 and 60 frames per second, the enhancements are readily apparent.

FIDELITY “AND” PERFORMANCE, REALLY?

Among the excellent students who demonstrate the value of the PS5 Pro and its €800 price point is Spider-Man 2. This game features ray tracing effects applied to New York’s buildings in all directions, along with an increase in traffic and pedestrian activity on the streets, enhancing the sense of density. To achieve this level of detail, however, one must accept a frame rate of 30 frames per second, as it is set in Pro Fidelity mode. Activating VRR can slightly improve the frame rate, and for those with a TV supporting 120Hz, such as my current Samsung 8K model, fluidity increases accordingly. There is also a Pro Performance mode that offers constant 60fps but with reduced density and fewer RTX effects compared to the standard PS5 display. This raises questions about whether Mark Cerny misled us during the PS5 Pro presentation when he claimed we wouldn’t have to choose between Fidelity and Performance modes, having both simultaneously. Perhaps it is a gamble on future advancements; I doubt we will need to make such choices in coming years as studios continue to optimize their games. It’s important to note that the 4K display is not native but upscaled and enhanced using PS5 Pro tools, particularly the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony’s equivalent of NVIDIA’s DLSS technology.

THE GOOD AND BAD STUDENTS

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth indeed experiences a significant visual transformation on the PS5 Pro, offering a remarkably clean fidelity display at 60 frames per second. To achieve this flawless rendering, one must select the fourth graphical mode, “Resolution and Fidelity,” which was not feasible on the standard PS5, where users had to choose between a decent 30fps display or enjoy 60fps with noticeably poor visual quality. Memories of the heated debates surrounding that lower-quality display still persist. As for its open world, which can be considered less engaging, we will not delve into that topic… However, there are two other games that PS5 Pro enhances: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered and The Last of Us 2 Remastered, both providing a 4K display at 60fps. The rendering is genuinely well-executed, and on a beautiful 4K or 8K screen, the difference is noticeable. There are more details, finer textures, especially in skin grain, hair, vegetation, lighting, and particle effects – truly, the image processing difference is evident, making me want to replay these games despite having completed them three times.

8K 30FPS, YES PAPA!

One thing that particularly impressed me is No Man’s Sky. The game has significantly evolved since its initial release, and it is one of the titles available for play in 8K resolution, though this capability is likely accessible to only about 1% of the global population due to equipment requirements. Given that a TV like the Samsung QLED QD900D model I tested costs €6500, it’s unlikely you will have the same experience as I did, but I can assure you it was remarkable. As seen in our presentation video, this was 8K at 30 frames per second (fps). However, it is noteworthy and somewhat confusing that there is no mention of 8K playability for No Man’s Sky on the PS5 Pro packaging. Despite Sony updating its PS5 packaging to remove the 8K logo, the PS5 Pro still supports 8K gaming; yet, the logo has been omitted from the box. This discrepancy appears quite unusual…

BUY OR NOT?

Should you purchase the PS5 Pro upon its release on November 7th, 2024? This depends on your financial situation. If you are in a position where spending €800 on a console will not strain your budget, I would recommend it, as the improvements are noticeable, even if they are not always significant. It provides an enhanced gaming experience, but this is contingent upon having appropriate equipment at home. If you own at least a 65-inch OLED 4K TV, are familiar with technology, and have extra funds available, then purchasing the PS5 Pro would be advisable; it offers superior visuals that will continue to improve in the coming years. However, if your budget is tight, you are economizing on food, or using a 1080p TV or an older PC monitor borrowed from a relative, it would be wise to hold off on the purchase—it may not justify the expense even with installment plans. While this advice might seem practical and economical, in reality, the PS5 Pro is not essential at present, particularly given that only a limited number of games truly benefit from its advanced features.