PS5 Pro Is A $350 Upgrade for Trade-In Users, Says Ex-Blizzard Boss

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Abdullah Waseem

At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered. 

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PlayStation 5 Pro costs a staggering $700 just for the digital console. The announcement has garnered a lot of criticism from the MSRP. The total comes at over $800 when you also get a disk drive and a stand. 

However, the former Blizzard boss says the PS5 Pro is more like a $350 upgrade as it targets existing users who want to trade their base PS5 for the Pro variant. 

Why it matters: The PS5 Pro seems to be aimed at those who already own the base version and would want an upgrade for $350. 

Mike Ybarra Tweeted that his perspective on the console is a bit different. He doesn’t think the console is for a newer audience; the mid-gen refresh or pro consoles are usually targeted at people who already have the base models. 

The business model in this regard is that an existing PS5 owner can trade their console for $350 in places like GameStop. Then, they can pay a further $350 and upgrade to the Pro model, which is easier for most people to stomach. 

The model is: existing PS5 owners can trade in their PS5 at places like GameStop for $350 in credit (today)

– Mike Ybarra

He said that while this model isn’t for everyone either, it’s the fundamental one that the industry uses. Replying to a comment that stated that the whole scenario still isn’t a good deal, Ybarra said, ‘Good news is no one has to buy it’. 

It is only good for people who can afford it and boast that they have the most powerful console in the world. But for the masses out there, the existing PS5 is fine, and they should be happy with it.  

Now, the PS5 Pro does have some nice upgrades, but it is still not worth almost $800. 

Abdullah Waseem

News Reporter

Abdullah is an avid gamer who primarily plays single-player titles. If you can’t find him anywhere, he’ll probably be at his desk playing The Witcher 3 for the millionth time. When he isn’t playing games, he’s either reading or writing about them.