Sony to launch PlayStation 5 Pro on November 7

Sony said Tuesday it would launch an upgraded version of its flagship games console with better graphics and AI capabilities on November 7, calling it PlayStation 5 Pro.

The Japanese firm's gaming division has endured tough times this year, with PlayStation 5 missing its sales targets and PlayStation announcing 900 job cuts in February.

The gaming industry is struggling with a wider downturn as the investment that poured into the sector during Covid has largely dried up.

In a short video announcement, PlayStation's lead architect Mark Cerny showed off the capabilities of the new console, which will retail for $700 and 800 euros, roughly 250 euros more than the current PlayStation 5.

He trumpeted hardware improvements that allowed games to run much faster, with better rendering of light and an AI system that provided sharper images.

"Simply put it's the most powerful console we've ever built and a worthy edition to the PS5 family," he said.

Sony announced in an accompanying statement that PlayStation 5 games would be playable on the new console. The statement also listed titles that would be available in enhanced versions, including Assassin's Creed: Shadows, Hogwarts Legacy and Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

"We are proud of the impact that PS5 has made on the gaming industry," said Hideaki Nishino, CEO of Platform Business Group at Sony Interactive Entertainment.