How to pre-order Sony’s PS5 Pro (before a scalper bot does)

We’ve only just come out of years of it being nearly impossible to get hold of a PlayStation 5, and now Sony is launching the PlayStation 5 Pro. It has a more powerful graphics processor, better AI upscaling, and loads more storage, but also a correspondingly higher price. However, if you want to get one at launch, it might take some effort.

It’s no secret by now that bootleggers are figuratively armed to the teeth with tools that can snap up dozens of PS5s before you can hit the buy button. There’s little reason to think that the launch of this new console will be any different. (Even if the $700 price tag makes it one of the most expensive consoles ever.) Still, there are things you can do to increase your chances of snagging one of these consoles. And while you’re at it, check out our guides to the best PS5 accessories and the best PS5 games to learn more.

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When do pre-orders start?

Photo: Sony PlayStation

Pre-orders for the new PlayStation 5 – as well as the strictly limited 30th anniversary PS5 Pro models designed to commemorate the original PlayStation – are starting gradually. The PlayStation Direct website will have pre-orders first, with other retailers following a few weeks later. Here are all the important dates:

The PS5 Pro costs $700 for the disc-less version. If you want to add a disc drive, you’ll have to buy that separately. You can read more about the differences between all the PS5 models here.

Tips to (hopefully) score your pre-order

Photo: Walmart

Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a console even if you’re sitting at the computer when the sale starts. But there are things you can do to increase your chances: