PlayStation®5 Pro

When the PlayStation5 was unveiled to the public for the first time in 2020, its design caused controversy – in both the gaming and design worlds. The reason for the initially controversial response was the expressive design of the games console. According to the PS5 designers, it was intended to serve as both a visual and functional interface between the real and virtual worlds, as a “portal” to a multidimensional gaming world. Instead of blending into its surroundings as discreetly as possible, the console was an eye-catcher with its curved surfaces, sweeping lines and black and white contrasts – aand received a distinction in the Red Dot Award for its high design quality. Five years later, the PlayStation5 Pro looks only slightly different from the original. However, it has become narrower and, with a weight of 3.1 kg, is also around 1.4 kg lighter than the original PS5. Three horizontal black fins on the sides of the body – redesigned, diagonally integrated air intake louvres with a diagonal cross-sectional shape that provide effective air intake while reducing fan noise during gaming. “The sculptural quality of the PS5 Pro is impressive – and this exterior detail is also superbly designed from a functional and aesthetic perspective. It subtly hints at the technical innovations inside,” praised the jury. In fact, the PS5 Pro has been specially optimised for an even more immersive gaming experience. It offers particularly sharp image reproduction, a high frame rate and advanced ray tracing. The console is fully digital and can also be equipped with a separate disc drive. To do this, the side cover below the air intake louvres can simply be removed, the drive inserted and the opening closed again with a more curved cover. “Using a modular drive system, the issue of integrating a disc drive later has been resolved extremely elegantly, as the overall appearance remains consistent and balanced even with altered proportions,” said the jury. In this way, the PS5 Pro combines advanced technology with well-thought-out, functional detail solutions - and an appearance that has remained as familiar as it is iconic.