PS5 Pro Skips India Launch Due to Wi-Fi 7 Regulatory Challenges
Sony’s high-performance gaming console, the PS5 Pro, is not set to release in India due to local regulatory restrictions involving the 6GHz wireless band, crucial for Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. The Indian government has yet to decide on the allocation of this frequency spectrum, amid ongoing discussions and studies to ensure there is no interference with ISRO satellites.
Key Takeaways
- Regulatory hurdles in India are delaying the PS5 Pro launch, particularly due to Wi-Fi 7 frequency band issues.
- The dispute involves telecom companies and tech firms over the 6GHz spectrum allocation.
- PS5 Pro offers a significant performance boost with enhanced GPU and memory capabilities, which Indian gamers will miss.
- Global pricing of PS5 Pro and its accessories has been announced, highlighting the missed opportunity for Indian consumers.
- Alternatives like the 30th Anniversary PS5 collection are available in India, presenting limited options for gamers.
Regulatory Hurdles: Why the PS5 Pro Won’t Launch in India
The PS5 Pro won’t be available in India, thanks to unaddressed regulatory issues concerning the 6GHz wireless band. This frequency is essential for the console’s Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, leading to a gridlock between telecom companies and tech giants who are engaged in an intense debate over its allocation. The Indian government’s pending decision on spectrum distribution continues to hold back the process, with the added requirement of studies to confirm that the frequency won’t interfere with ISRO’s satellites further complicating the scenario.
PS5 Pro’s Powerful Upgrades: What Indian Gamers Will Miss
With its 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory than the standard PS5, the PS5 Pro marks a significant upgrade. It offers a staggering 16.7 teraflops of GPU computation, dwarfing the PS5’s 10.28 teraflops, combined with 16GB of GDDR6 RAM and an additional 2GB of DDR5 RAM, alongside a 2TB custom SSD. These enhancements mean superior ray tracing and AI-driven upscaling via PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, plus a Game Boost feature for over 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 titles. Sadly, Indian gamers will have to wait or miss out on these advanced features entirely.
Global Pricing and Limited Editions
The PS5 Pro is priced at $699.99, approximately Rs 59,000, outside India. Accessories, including an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and a vertical stand, are priced at $79.99 and $29.99, respectively. The limited edition grey 30th Anniversary Bundle adds a unique value proposition to the standard dual-tone black and white consoles. These offers highlight the dissatisfaction that Indian gaming enthusiasts may feel with their absence from the market.
Alternatives for Indian Gamers
For those in India eager to acquire newer PlayStation products, alternative options are, unfortunately, limited. The allure of grey market imports remains, albeit with risks such as lack of warranty and dependence on third-party repairs. There is still a silver lining with the availability of the PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary limited edition collection domestically. The special edition PS5 Digital console is set to launch on November 21, 2024, priced at Rs 49,999, offering a legal channel for those who can’t wait. Moreover, a variety of 30th Anniversary Limited Edition accessories are available, albeit these are poor substitutes for the PS5 Pro.
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Sources:
The Hindu
CNBC TV18
News18
Financial Express
Indian Express
