Sony has officially announced that its highly anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro will not be available in India due to ongoing issues surrounding wireless connectivity. The company revealed that the PS5 Pro will be unavailable in certain countries, including India, where the 6GHz wireless band used in Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) has not yet been authorized. This issue stems from regulatory delays within India’s telecom sector, preventing the console from launching in the country.
In a statement, Sony explained, “The PS5 Pro will not be available in some countries (including India) where the 6GHz wireless band used in IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) has not yet been authorized.” This announcement follows the unveiling of the PS5 Pro in September, which has already gone on sale in several regions, including the United States, Europe, and Japan.
The core issue preventing the PS5 Pro’s release in India is the lack of authorization for the 6GHz spectrum by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This spectrum is essential for the PS5 Pro’s Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Wi-Fi 7, the latest wireless technology, operates on the 6GHz band, providing faster speeds and lower latency over short distances compared to the existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
The 6GHz band has become highly sought after in both telecom and technology sectors. Telecom operators see it as a critical component for expanding 5G services, while tech companies like Sony want access to it for improved Wi-Fi capabilities. However, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India has yet to allocate the 6GHz spectrum, creating a standoff between telecom companies and technology firms, which has delayed its approval. This delay has affected the availability of new technologies that rely on Wi-Fi 7, including the PS5 Pro.
While Indian gamers will have to wait for the resolution of the spectrum issue, the PS5 Pro is already available in regions where Wi-Fi 7 support is in place. The PlayStation 5 Pro, a mid-generation upgrade to the PS5, retains a similar design to its predecessor but comes with some subtle updates. The new console features stripe-like vents on either side, distinguishing it from the original PS5.
In terms of performance, the PS5 Pro boasts significant improvements over the standard PS5. The upgraded console is equipped with a new graphics processing unit (GPU) that offers 67% more compute units than the original PS5, resulting in enhanced performance and smoother gameplay. The PS5 Pro is capable of running games at higher resolutions and smoother frame rates, with a target of 60 frames per second, compared to the 30 frames per second offered by some titles on the base PS5 model.
One of the standout features of the PS5 Pro is its improved ray tracing capabilities. The upgraded GPU allows for more realistic lighting and shadows, enhancing the overall visual experience. Additionally, the PS5 Pro includes an AI-powered upscaling technique that improves the clarity, sharpness, and detail of visuals, ensuring a more immersive gaming experience. The console also supports variable refresh rates (VRR), which allows for a smoother gaming experience by adjusting the frame rate according to the game’s performance.
Another key feature of the PS5 Pro is its support for 8K resolution gaming. While 8K content is still relatively limited, the PS5 Pro is ready for the future of ultra-high-definition gaming. This upgrade positions the console as a powerful choice for gamers looking to experience the latest advancements in both graphics and gameplay.
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Despite these impressive features, the PS5 Pro’s launch in India is now in limbo due to the unresolved spectrum dispute. Sony has not specified when the console might be available in India, as it depends on the regulatory bodies reaching a resolution on the 6GHz band issue. For now, Indian gamers will have to look to international markets for their chance to purchase the PS5 Pro.
In the meantime, Sony continues to sell the original PlayStation 5 in India, which remains a popular choice among gamers. However, the PS5 Pro’s advanced features have left many Indian fans eagerly awaiting its eventual release, hoping that the regulatory hurdles will soon be cleared so they can experience the next level of gaming.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that Sony’s PS5 Pro is a powerhouse in the gaming industry, offering enhanced performance and graphics that set a new standard for consoles. Indian gamers, however, will have to wait until the regulatory landscape changes before they can enjoy these next-gen features.
