In April 2025, Sony unveiled the official teardown video of the PlayStation 5 Pro, giving gamers and tech experts a deeper look into what makes the console tick. Far beyond a simple mid-generation refresh, this teardown confirms that the PS5 Pro is packed with forward-looking technology that sets a new standard for home consoles. From its powerful GPU to a redesigned cooling system and AI-powered upscaling features, the teardown shows why this console is built for next-generation gaming.

The PlayStation 5 Pro builds on the success of the original PS5, but with significant internal upgrades aimed at performance, longevity, and advanced gaming capabilities. If you’ve been curious about what’s really under the sleek shell of Sony’s latest system, this teardown offers all the answers.

Why This Teardown Is Important

Console teardowns have become a standard practice before or after hardware launches, especially for high-demand products. But the PS5 Pro teardown is particularly meaningful for a few reasons:

• Transparency: It shows consumers what they are paying for in great detail.

• Engineering Insight: Highlights the level of sophistication and innovation Sony employs.

• Upgrade Justification: Offers visual evidence of what sets the Pro apart from the base model.

• Maintenance & Repair: Teaches users how the device can be cleaned, upgraded, or repaired.

This level of openness is rare in the gaming industry and offers users a new level of confidence in the hardware’s build quality and serviceability.

Major Findings from the PS5 Pro Teardown

The teardown video delivered more than just a look inside; it clarified several rumors while revealing brand-new details. Here are the standout features and changes discovered:

1. Enhanced APU with AI Block

At the heart of the PS5 Pro is a custom APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) developed in collaboration with AMD:

• 33.5 teraflops of graphical power, nearly 45% more than the original PS5.

• The same 8-core Zen 2 CPU, but optimized to run at higher and more consistent clock speeds.

• For the first time, a dedicated AI block has been added to the APU, giving life to PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), Sony’s answer to NVIDIA DLSS.

This AI unit not only helps in upscaling graphics but also optimizes performance during high-stress gameplay moments, such as open-world rendering or intensive ray tracing scenarios.

2. PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR)

This feature stands out as a core selling point for the PS5 Pro. PSSR uses machine learning to:

• Upscale games to 4K or even 8K without taxing the GPU.

• Preserve texture clarity and reduce visual noise.

• Maintain high frame rates even during graphically intense scenes.

The AI chip responsible for this upscaling was prominently featured during the teardown, and Sony emphasized its integration as a breakthrough in console gaming.

3. New Cooling System

One of the most impressive upgrades is the cooling system, which addresses one of the biggest concerns of gamers—thermals and noise:

• Dual vapor chamber cooling replaces traditional heat pipe solutions.

• Sony retained the use of liquid metal, improving heat transfer from the APU to the heatsink.

• The fan design has been updated to improve airflow while reducing acoustics.

• Heat is now dissipated more efficiently across the internal chassis, thanks to a redesigned airflow path.

The result is a quieter console that maintains lower internal temperatures even during extended gaming sessions.

4. Increased Storage: 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD

Storage capacity was another highlight:

• A 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD—double the original PS5’s 825GB—means more room for modern AAA games.

• Faster read/write speeds improve load times and texture streaming.

• An M.2 expansion bay is still available, allowing users to install a second NVMe SSD.

This update gives gamers more freedom to download and keep multiple games without worrying about running out of space too quickly.

5. Optional Modular Disc Drive

In a move toward modularity, the PS5 Pro does not include a built-in disc drive by default:

• A custom modular disc drive can be added via a dedicated magnetic slot and USB-C port.

• It’s easy to install and remove, making the system more versatile for digital or physical media users.

This modular design also potentially reduces the price of the base unit for users who prefer digital games.

Component Layout and Motherboard Design

The teardown video emphasized changes in layout and internal design:

• Dual-layer motherboard configuration separates power delivery and GPU processing.

• New VRMs and capacitors ensure stable power output under load.

• The Wi-Fi 7 module provides faster wireless speeds and lower latency, perfect for cloud gaming and high-speed downloads.

• Dual USB-C ports on the front offer high-speed data transfer for accessories like external drives and VR headsets.

The internal layout also appears easier to navigate, which could simplify future disassemblies, cleaning, or even upgrades.

PS5 vs PS5 Pro: Internal Comparison Table

Teardown Video Highlights

Sony’s official video provided a complete breakdown of the Pro’s internals. Key segments include:

• Step-by-step disassembly of the outer shell and cooling fan

• Close-up of the vapor chamber and its size compared to the PS5’s heat pipes

• Removal and placement of the 2TB SSD and expansion bay

• Visuals showing the AI chip embedded in the APU die

• Details of power supply redesign and airflow modeling

Gamers and reviewers alike praised the transparency and quality of the teardown.

How This Impacts Gamers

So what do all these upgrades mean for gamers?

• Faster gameplay loading due to SSD upgrades

• Smoother and more beautiful graphics, especially in 4K

• Quieter gaming sessions, ideal for long playthroughs

• Future-proofing for 8K gaming, PSVR2, and AI-based rendering

For competitive gamers and streamers, these features can make a tangible difference in performance, quality, and user experience.

Industry Reactions and User Sentiment

Tech YouTubers, hardware analysts, and the gaming community had plenty to say after the teardown:

• Digital Foundry called it “a giant leap in real-time rendering efficiency.”

• Linus Tech Tips praised its cooling system, calling it “console-grade liquid cooling done right.”

• On Reddit and gaming forums, users highlighted the PS5 Pro’s silent performance and its potential for longer console lifespans.

While the lack of a disc drive disappointed some, many praised the modular approach.

What This Means for the Future of Console Gaming

Sony’s teardown also gives us clues about where console hardware is headed:

1. AI integration will become standard, not just for visuals but for in-game mechanics.

2. Modular features will let users customize hardware more than ever before.

3. Better thermals and efficient designs will reduce the need for bulky cases.

4. Future teardowns might become key selling tools, offering transparent product storytelling.

The PS5 Pro sets a new standard in both hardware performance and user transparency.

Final Thoughts

The PlayStation 5 Pro’s April 2025 teardown is more than just a hardware reveal—it’s a statement. Sony has shown that it’s not only committed to delivering top-tier gaming performance but also to ensuring gamers understand exactly what they’re getting. With its upgraded APU, AI-powered graphics, enhanced storage, and cutting-edge cooling, the PS5 Pro proves to be a true generational leap.

If you’re a gamer looking for peak console performance, this teardown may just convince you the PS5 Pro is a must-have for the years ahead.

Also Read: Intel Layoffs: Over 20% Workforce Reduction in April 2025