As a premium VPN solution, it supports a variety of clients covering Windows, MacOS, and mobile platforms ensuring easy access for remote workforces across all of their devices. Additionally, we should note here that the VPN is tightly integrated with Check Point’s security management platform, tied to other advanced threat detection and prevention tools that the company offers. In simpler terms, the best comprehensive solution can be gained if the entire Check Point package is chosen, since you can get hardware security solutions from Check Point and can easily integrate them into their powerful SmartConsole, an admin dashboard solution.
Features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Identity Awareness improve security and ease of use. Furthermore, the Always-ON VPN feature ensures constant security by keeping users connected securely to corporate networks at all times. If you have a need to create temporary users who will be able to access your VPN for a set period of time, you can do so as well. This is ideal for customers visiting your site and needing access to some resources for a few hours or days.
Check Point offers a variety of remote access VPN solutions tailored to different business needs. These include Harmony Endpoint for comprehensive endpoint protection, Endpoint Security VPN for IPsec-based connectivity, and Mobile Access Web Portal for clientless SSL VPN access. Additional options include Check Point Mobile for Windows, SecuRemote, and Capsule VPN for iOS and Android, each designed to provide secure connectivity for remote users.
Pricing & Plans
Though we’re used to enterprise solutions hiding their pricing behind a “must-attend demo session” or directly contacting sales for company pricing, we’re really not fond of this practice. Depending on the number of users you have, you will probably have to choose between one of the mobile access blade tiers. The MOB-U is an unlimited access for unlimited users. The other license levels are MOB-50 and MOB-200 for 50 or 200 concurrent users respectively. The licenses do not stack, complicating the choice.
Recently, the company introduced a cloud comprehensive solution named Harmony Endpoint which among other things, under Access Control offers VPN. The advantage here is that you will not have to worry about licensing or the number of users, and could potentially present a better solution if you need comprehensive security and not just a VPN solution.
Configuration
If you have a Check Point appliance in your company as part of the package, such as the 1530 Appliance, then the configuration of the VPN can be done using the SmartConsole for users accessing resources through the company network. On the left side menu, you will need to navigate to the VPN tab and then, under Blade Control, enable Remote Control and enable SSL VPN. Before you can actually access SSL VPN services you will have to configure them under the SSL Bookmarks section and then add and define the users. Here you can define permanent or temporary users, with the process being manual and time-intensive if you have numerous users to add, as you have to define the user names and passwords yourself.
For PC client configuration, there is a wizard once the package has been downloaded that leads you through the setup. You will have to make sure you know all of the details of your network as there is no auto-filling option, even if the PC is in the business network, which unnecessarily complicates the installation process.
All in all, we would have liked the setup to be more in line with the modern standards set by commercial clients targeting wider audiences; though we do understand that this is a more complex solution that requires comprehensive networking knowledge and experts who are used to setting up corporate networks and protecting resources.
Performance
Quantum VPN excels in speed and stability, ensuring uninterrupted access to business resources thanks to the powerful hardware in the background. The more powerful the gateway hardware, the better it handles increased remote access users. But that’s not the whole story. Both AMD and Intel have added AES encryption features directly into their CPUs, which helps boost VPN performance.
This technology, known as AES New Instructions (AES-NI), allows hardware to handle many encryption tasks more efficiently, reducing the load on software and significantly improving speed and security. This means businesses can support more users with better performance, thanks to these built-in capabilities. Check Point promises AES-NI compatibility (AES-128, AES-256) to be supported by default, ensuring the highest possible performance gains without any hick-ups.
Despite all of this, users should note to optimize the interface affinity by enabling multi-queuing, and check that you have no or low fragmented packet rate to ensure the best performance. Finally, despite the powerful hardware and protocols you still need to ensure that you utilize configuration best practices to guarantee the best performance. With all of that being said, Check Point ranks in the top five enterprise VPNs when it comes to performance.
Privacy & Security
One of the standout features is the IPsec suite. It provides robust security by encrypting data, ensuring that sensitive information is shielded from man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized decryption. By leveraging advanced mathematical algorithms and end-to-end encryption, IPsec effectively blocks hacking attempts, keeping data transmissions secure from start to finish.
This powerful combination of security protocols makes it an essential tool for protecting business communications and maintaining privacy in enterprise environments. For the mobile app, this feature is available only on Check Point Capsule VPN for Android or Check Point Capsule Connect for iOS.
Overall, it offers industry-leading encryption, compliance with GDPR, and no-logging policies. Advanced encryption methods protect sensitive data, and integration with Check Point’s broader security suite enhances overall business security.
Check Point actively monitors and addresses emerging VPN threats. In a recent advisory, they urged users to review VPN configurations, highlighting an increase in attacks using weak, password-only authentication. The company swiftly mobilized teams to investigate incidents where outdated login methods were targeted. To enhance security, Check Point recommends disabling unnecessary local accounts and implementing stronger multi-factor authentication methods. They also released a solution to automatically prevent unauthorized access through weak authentication, ensuring customers’ VPNs are better protected against evolving threats.
Alternatives
If you’re shopping for an enterprise-wide solution but are not ready to pay the top dollar, then the first alternative could be Fortinet. FortiClient functions as both a firewall and a secure solution for connecting your devices to a VPN. It allows you to link your entire office on a secure VPN, enabling easy and safe data sharing. With FortiClient, you can access office archives and files remotely, providing flexibility for on-the-go work. It’s a fast and reliable network with minimal maintenance needs, making it a great choice for businesses looking to streamline their remote access and security.
An additional alternative is Cisco’s AnyConnect; which offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your data stays protected, while its adaptive security policies help guard against threats. With support for multiple devices and platforms, AnyConnect makes it easy to connect teams and manage remote access securely. Its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other Cisco security tools make it a versatile alternative thanks to a more streamlined setup process and a clearer pricing structure.
Final Verdict
Check Point Quantum VPN is a high-end solution for enterprises that are best utilized as the entire package combining hardware and software to provide comprehensive, company-wide security. With that being said, you will have to pay much more for such an approach, but you can then be sure you have one of the best solutions on the market. Set up is a bit more complex, but the client-side software (mobile apps) have clean UI’s and are logically laid out and easy to use overall. Moreover, if you’re in charge of backend maintenance through the admin console, you will also be greeted by a modern UI that seamlessly transitions between tabs and provides single-click solutions for most of the configurations.
While it may be overkill for small businesses, it’s a worthy investment for large-scale operations prioritizing security, knowing that you have a reliable partner for company cyber security that stays abreast of new threat development. If you’re on a tighter budget then one of the suggested alternatives could be a solid choice as they provide solid features for less money.
The PlayStation 5 Pro is Sony’s enhanced mid-generation gaming console, and it is categorically better than its PS5 brethren. I’ve spent the best part of a full week with the PS5 Pro now, and have been consistently impressed with its upgrades. Time and again the PS5 Pro has wowed me with incredible graphical quality and wonderfully high frame rates and given me crisper, smoother images and experiences over my base PS5 in almost every game I've tried.
From confirmed PS5 Pro enhanced games, to ‘regular’ PS5 games and PS4 games, and on both a 60Hz 4K TV and 120Hz-capable 4K gaming monitor, I have been blown away by the experience on the PS5 Pro. On a technical level, this is going to be the best way to enjoy the rest of the generation, but there’s a sting in the tail that means that it isn’t quite a slam dunk.
While it delivers on its brief of delivering a mid-gen graphical upgrade - though perhaps not quite to the same degree as the PS4 Pro did when capitalizing on the rise of 4K TV adoption - its graphical boosts, while tangible, aren’t seismic or groundbreaking; certainly not for the vast majority of PS5 players anyway. As such evolutionary-not-revolutionary steps won’t be enough to persuade most.
It also has a price problem which I find frustrating, sad, and baffling in equal measure. At $700 / £700 it is the most expensive Sony home console ever; and this is a mid-generational upgrade, remember - not a wholly new system. It also doesn’t come with a disc drive or a vertical stand which means you’re looking at north of $800 / £800 to even mirror the setup you got originally with a $500 / £450 launch PS5. Considering the PS5 Pro is a premium gaming console and one that will most appeal to PlayStation gaming enthusiasts like myself, it’s hard not to feel disappointed. Pair this with the baffling decision to leave out a disc drive - most enthusiasts are physical media proponents and the most likely to have physical game collections - and the disappointment grows a little more.
The key upgrade is really the convergence of graphical fidelity and performance with games now able to tap into the PS5 Pro’s hardware and features to shine in both ways - at the same time. The wizardry of Sony’s proprietary Playstation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) helps enormously in its AI-driven upscaling tech, and the results are glorious. The likes of Horizon Forbidden West and HorizonZero Dawn Remastered, and The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 Remastered, truly shine on PS5 Pro and have new performance modes that run incredibly smoothly at high frame rates and have a level of detail you’d be hard pushed to say weren’t a full-fat fidelity mode.
(Image credit: Future)
The boost to ray tracing that’s on offer is absolutely beautiful too. Coming on top of the boosts to fidelity and performance, you can now enjoy some of the best ray-tracing PS5 has to offer in a performance mode, targeting 60 frames per second, which is truly special in games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The boosts to non-enhanced PS5 and particularly PS4 games are harder to discern currently, but the games I've tested show what can be achieved with the PS5 Pro’s hardware.
If you were thinking of upgrading your TV to a 120Hz screen, or have recently got one such monitor or TV, then the benefits of the PS5 Pro grow further still with extra modes in the likes of Horizon Forbidden West that offer even more refined balances of graphics and performance to target super-high levels of fidelity and intermediate frame rates such as 40 frames per second. However folks with TVs that aren't 120hz capable can still get great benefits that I can attest to - the moment-to-moment experience of a game’s Performance Pro (or other similarly named) modes is brilliant and means you'll be getting a wonderful image and resolution and, in effect, making the absolute most of your TV’s 60Hz refresh rate.
The aforementioned PSSR is in many ways the headline act of the PS5 Pro’s upgraded feature set with it being the first AI-driven upscaling tech in a Sony home console, and the results discussed above mean that it has great promise and is offering something impressive already. Combined with upgrades to memory, graphics card, storage, and Wi-Fi, the PS5 Pro does offer more than just a niche graphical upgrade package too.
In particular, the boost to 2TB of storage in the Pro makes a huge difference that would otherwise cost around $100 / £100 to add to any other PS5, while the addition of Wi-Fi 7 for better internet connectivity, is welcome, especially considering the Pro starts off life as a digital console.
From a purely aesthetic view, the PS5 Pro console is immediately cut from the PS5 family cloth in terms of design and build and sports all the aesthetic touches to the ports that you’d want from another PS5 console. Coming in at around the same thickness as the PS5 Slim, and the same height as the launch PS5, the Pro is a curvaceous and pretty slick-looking thing.
The sleek white panels - a matte finish, not shiny like the Slim - are elegant, while the black middle and lines of black fins new on the Pro provide excellent contrast. It offers the same ports as the PS5 Slim too so you’re well covered with two USB-Cs on the front, two USB-As on the back, an HDMI, an ethernet, and the power port on the back. Sadly, those panels are not interchangeable with those that fit the PS5 Slim, and it also doesn’t come with a disc drive or a vertical stand which does seem at odds with its positioning as a premium PlayStation-enthusiast console.
The PS5 Pro is the most complete PS5 package now, but its core benefits and upgrades are a little niche, and the advancements are subtle - not ground-breaking - so it’s not going to be a good value investment for everyone.
If you’ve a keen eye for detail, are a PlayStation fanatic who wants to be at the bleeding edge of the brand’s console and wants the most performant PlayStation console going, or you’re a graphics obsessive who wants the best experience going, or are a PS5 user with a new 120Hz-capable gaming TV or PS5 monitor, then the gaming experiences provided by the PS5 Pro are going to be very tempting indeed. For everyone else, it’s just going to be too expensive.
PS5 Pro: Price and availability
List price: $699.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,199
Does not include a disc drive or vertical stand
Launched on November 7, 2024
Since the day of its reveal, the PlayStation 5 Pro’s price has been a big talking point - and it remains so. Cutting to it, $700 / £700 for a mid-generation upgrade console is steep and makes it the most expensive Sony home console ever. It also comes in at $200 / £220 more than the list price of the PS5 Slim, the current ‘base’ version of the console.
By comparison, the PlayStation 4 Pro launched at the original PS4’s price which felt right - especially given the base console’s simultaneous permanent price drop. If the PS5 Pro’s price had come even a little closer to the PS5’s price ($499.99 / £479.99) then this new console would be seriously tempting, and more so for existing PS5 owners.
The extra sting in the price department is that the PS5 Pro console does not come with a disc drive or vertical stand. The latter Sony has previous form with in regards to the PS5 Slim also not coming with one, but the lack of a disc drive, when positioned as a premium, enthusiast console is a big disappointment - and a bit baffling, despite being offset by some of the other PS5 Pro specs on offer.
A welcome point in this category though is, unlike the PS5 at launch, the PS5 Pro is widely available everywhere at time of writing. PS5 Pro pre-orders briefly sold out at PlayStation Direct on the day they started (September 26), but since then stock at Sony’s own storefront and other retailers has remained steady and readily available.
PS5 Pro: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
PS5 Pro: Design and features
Slick design form and chic new take on the PS5-family aesthetic
Digital console with no disc drive by default
Updated console covers aren’t interchangeable with existing PS5 plates
The overall design of the PS5 Pro is very in keeping with the PS5 generation of console and accessories; a symphony in black and white curves, but done in its own style that’s both fresh and new but also familiar. The white panels are not as shiny as they are on the PS5 Slim, instead having a more matte finish, while the fins that split the console across its middle are pretty striking from a design point of view and one that I really quite like, providing a stylish flash of black across the sea of white.
The form and overall build share features with the original launch PS5 and the newer Slim model, too. The four-sectioned exterior and overall slender form is very reminiscent of the PS5 Slim, while the Pro comes in bigger than that standard console, and is just about as tall as the original PS5. In cold hard numbers, the PS5 is 15.2 x 3.5 x 8.5in / 388 x 89 x 216mm (WxHxD) in size and weighs 6.8lbs / 3.1kg.
In the box, in addition to the console itself, you get a standard DualSense Wireless Controller, a power plug for your region, an HDMI 2.1 cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable for the controller, and all the necessary paperwork.
The PS5 Pro is a digital-only console by default meaning there’s no disc drive included. This needs to be bought separately and applied as you would on the PS5 Slim - fortunately, the Pro is compatible with the pre-existing PS5 disc drive. There’s also no vertical stand included so the PS5 Pro is also a horizontal console by default with the squat version of the detachable legs included in the box.
(Image credit: Future)
The PS5 Pro follows suit with the PS5 Slim by offering two USB-C ports on the front of the console toward the power button, and where the PS5 Pro’s LED lights are too (i.e. not at the ‘flare end’ as on the launch PS5). On the rear, it’s a more familiar situation to those with any PS5 with the power port, HDMI port, two USB-A ports, and an ethernet port finishing the set. The arrangement of the ports is also more in line with the PS5 Slim however, with the HDMI port further up or the left-hand side (depending on your view) compared to the launch PS5.
The shell of the PS5 Pro is divided into four plates - each named after a PlayStation shape to ensure you don’t ever mix them up, and all are removable with a similar level of force as the other PS5s. It is a great shame, however, while the arrangement of the PS5 Pro generally means that the larger lower panels are exactly the same as the PS5 Slim - a fact reinforced by the disc drive’s compatibility - but the smaller, top panels aren’t the same size which is a great shame. I tested this myself to confirm it, so fans who want to adorn the Pro in their choice of colorway will likely have to wait for Pro-specific panels to become available.
Under the console covers, the PS5 Pro has the same PS5 SSD bay that the previous models had and can be engaged with in exactly the same way too as I experienced by installing my Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus SSD during testing.
When you boot the PS5 Pro up, you’ll be greeted by a user interface that is exactly the same as the other PS5 models. It’s a slick and easy-to-navigate setup process as well as a wider layout to move around, and aside from a few more menu options and toggles, it’s identical and will be very familiar to current PS5 owners. If you need to transfer data from a PS4 or another PS5 to get going, then there’s a simple process to do so when first using the Pro.
(Image credit: Future)
PS5 Pro: Performance
Excellent performance blending fidelity and performance simultaneously...
...however, advancements aren't groundbreaking or revolutionary
Supporting specs offer further benefits
The proof was always going to be in the performance and graphics pudding, so I installed a whole host of games on the PS5 Pro and my regular PS5 to compare the differences. So far in my testing, I've seen impressive things in those enhanced games I've been able to run.
The effect of the beefier GPU, and the impact of PSSR is tangible and genuine, and it clearly helps developers enhance their games to offer their definitive versions. It’s an exciting proposition for the remainder of the PS5 generation and I already have high hopes for Sony's first-party studios and games like Marvel's Wolverine, and whatever is coming next from Naughty Dog, et al.
The PS5 Pro allows the Northlight engine in Alan Wake 2 to really shine. Instead of adding any more modes, the game takes advantage of the Pro by offering boosts to its quality and performance modes through increased ray-tracing effects, and increased detail. The boost to both modes compared to my base PS5 was immediately noticeable. Ray tracing, reflections, and lighting are all greatly improved in quality mode, while visual boosts and framerate smoothness combine in performance mode.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered immediately feels like a game built (well, rebuilt) for PS5 Pro. The moment I booted into the game and started enjoying the cutscenes and getting into the action, I was knocked down by the gorgeous lighting, fabulous reflections, lifelike water and hair detail, and an overall image quality that was stupendous.
This was the case in both games’ ‘Pro’ version of the existing Resolution and Performance graphics settings. Despite the lack of description in the menu as to exactly what was happening in each, I found the Favor Performance Pro to be the best way to enjoy the game: blending the brilliant upgraded visuals and effects with a smooth, high frame rate gave me a brand new experience in Horizon that I’d never had before.
A third setting is available; a Balanced Pro version does exist on 120Hz capable displays that seem to enable the Pro to get higher frame rates than 30fps while knocking only a bit of quality off (so probably a 40fps mode, something made possible, and excellent, with Variable Refresh Rate) to get even more of the best of both worlds should the display be the right match.
(Image credit: Future)
In Horizon Forbidden West, the Resolution and Performance Pro modes remain the same as in the remastered first game, but the Balanced Pro mode is described as very high fidelity at 40fps when playing on a 120Hz-specced display. When playing on my gaming monitor that is HDMI 2.1 capable, this was perhaps my favorite setting of the bunch on both games.
The Last of Us Part 1and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered are both brilliant too. The games share identical display options and respond and present themselves in the same way. The new ‘Pro’ mode is an absolute dream and now my favorite way to play these games and experience their worlds. This mode renders the game at 1440p, then uses PSSR to upscale to 4K and targets 60fps. The results are spectacular, and I really had difficulty telling the difference between the overall image quality of the Pro mode with the PS5’s Fidelity mode. World details such as foliage, lighting, and reflections are extra beautiful and things like the details on Joel and Ellie’s backpacks are crisper than ever - all while running at a smoother, higher frame rate.
Zipping around New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2couldn’t possibly have felt or looked better but here we are - the game is staggeringly brilliant on PS5 Pro. The two settings - Fidelity Pro and Performance Pro are both beautiful on PS5 Pro. The former offers incredible ray-tracing, reflections, and overall sharpness, with a few options to change the intensity of some options which can be altered to gain some performance back.
The latter mode, is also something else, though. Offering a smooth 60fps while retaining the image quality of standard (PS5) fidelity mode through PSSR, it presents an extraordinary combination of graphics and performance - and all ray-tracing features are on by default in this setting.
Not to be outdone by its studio-mate, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is also wonderful to play, and just look at on PS5 Pro. The game features the same two settings as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (but one fewer ray-tracing settings, the reflections and interiors) with the Performance Pro mode being a standout once again with all ray-tracing features present and PSSR doing some excellent heavy lifting to create a fantastic image, and experience.
I have taken Demon’s Souls for a quick spin around the block too which is excellent in its dedicated PS5 Pro mode - it’s literally called ‘PS5 Pro’. Comparing it to the cinematic and performance modes that remain in the game, it’s hard to tell the difference between the overall image quality of the former, and the smooth frame rates of the latter in the dedicated Pro mode.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s also worth noting that the PS5 Pro, during the above extensive game testing, doesn't blow as loudly as its mid-gen predecessor - the PS4 Pro - did compared to that generation’s base console. I have found the PS5 Pro to run no louder than the base PS5 at its loudest, and actually quieter a lot of the time.
These are just some of the games I’ve had the chance to test so far - and they paint a special picture looking forward to the full list of enhanced games, as well as those yet to come out. The fact remains that if you're playing a game that’s been enhanced for PS5 Pro, you absolutely will get an enhanced experience - the Pro is noticeably and clearly better, making games look even more stunning and run super fast and smooth, simultaneously. We can now have the best of both worlds, and the results often feel like playing the definitive version of games. This is especially the case if you have a 120Hz-capable display that can unlock any balanced or 40fps modes too - this is the point at which the PS5 Pro’s impact and performance can offer more and be even more compelling.
A note on PSVR 2 games
(Image credit: Future)
Sony has said that the PS5 Pro’s enhanced graphics will boost and benefit PSVR 2 games greatly. However, I haven’t had the chance to test PSVR 2 with the PS5 Pro yet but will be updating this review, as and when I get the chance to fully explore this. Sony's blog post running down the list of enhanced games at the PS5 Pro's launch did include Kayak VR: Mirage, however, so we're hopeful of some tangible benefits to PSVR 2 gaming.
As well as making non-enhanced PS5 games look even better with the hardware giving them a boost, the PS5 Pro does include a new, dedicated boost mode of sorts for PS4 games: you can enable an option to enhance image quality for PS4 games.
The games do look great on PS5 Pro, but I have struggled to really pick out clear differences and upgrades, and have often found myself reaching for highlights and really peering to see what might be different or enhanced. I’ll continue testing this with more PS4 games to see if there’s anything definitive but it’s not quite clear what the setting does right now. I tried this with Doom, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Infamous Second Son,Dishonored 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Days Gone.
The PS5 Pro features a 2TB SSD which allows so much more breathing room in terms of storage. For reference and as an example of what the boost means in real or day-to-day terms, I had 17 games installed - from 11.6GB Astro’s Playroom to the 130GB Horizon Forbidden West - and still had 353GB of space left to use.
There’s also more storage on the SSD by default: whereas the original PS5 only had about 667GB free to use from its 825GB SSD (80% of the drive), the PS5 Pro allows you to use 1.89TB of its 2TB drive, which is 94.5% of the drive. This is excellent and helps to provide a storage situation where you may not even need a PS5 SSD that you once previously did. With 1TB SSDs costing just north of $100 / £100, broadly speaking, this extra capacity upgrade is not inconsiderable.
(Image credit: Future)
Wi-Fi 7 is a welcome inclusion too and I definitely experienced quicker and more stable download speeds and connection to my PlayStation Portal on my home internet. Your mileage may vary depending on the quality of the internet, but it should represent improvements across the board given the upgrade.
The day-to-day gaming performance of the PS5 Pro is, all in, a joy to behold and use in action. PSSR works wonders and provides a brilliant experience by blending the best of fidelity and performance modes. While I have found the upgrades tremendous so far, I also recognize that such changes are largely subtle and aren’t revolutionary - as a result, I can still see most PS5 owners sticking with their launch or PS5 Slim models.
But for folks like me who have a keen eye for detail and performance, the results are terrific and wholly worthwhile. If the new hardware continues to be embraced by devs, the PS5 Pro could set the standard and be the definitive way to enjoy the rest of the PS5 generation - and also hint at where the PS6 could take things when it comes along.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the PS5 Pro?
Buy it if...
You’ve always wanted fidelity and performance modes at the same time in games One key reason the PS5 Pro exists is to prevent folks from having to choose between quality and frame rates - and it absolutely succeeds in offering that with ‘Pro’ performance modes now offering both, in particular.
You want the latest advancements in console gaming tech and ray tracing capabilities The PS5 Pro’s advanced ray-tracing combined with the wizardry of PSSR and its beefier graphics card means the console offers the very latest tech going on consoles - and boy does it show, with all three combining to make superb gaming experiences.
You have got or are going to get a 120Hz TV or monitor for gaming The PS5 Pro on a non-120Hz display still makes games look and play amazing, but if you’ve got or are getting a 120Hz HDMI 2.1-specced display for gaming then the benefits increase and the enhancements get even more tangible.
You’re a PlayStation fan and want the most performant PlayStation console going Simply put, many PlayStation fans will always want the best PlayStation experience that’s available - a totally legitimate position and one that the PS5 Pro offers. Such fans who adopt the Pro will not be disappointed with its performance.
Don't buy it if...
You’d want maximum value from a graphical upgrade While tangible, PS5 Pro’s graphical upgrades are more subtle and evolutionary rather than groundbreaking so the price tag of the Pro is a very hard one to swallow. If you’re hoping for something more groundbreaking for $700 / £700 then the Pro isn’t quite offering that and the better value option is the original PS5 or the PS5 Slim.
You already have a PS5 and are totally satisfied with the experiences it provides If you already have a PS5 Slim or launch model, enjoy the exciting experiences it provides, and aren’t one to strive for higher numbers than those you have already then you can likely skip the PS5 Pro and stay as you are.
Also consider
If you're not totally sold on the PS5 Pro, then here are some other consoles to consider by comparison.
PS5
The PS5 (Slim or launch model) is still a brilliant games console and will provide wonderful gaming experiences. If you’re not a graphics obsessive or someone who desires the most power and capability from their PlayStation console then the PS5 is a brilliant console in 2024.
For more information, check out our full (original) PS5 review, and stay tuned for our full PS5 Slim review.
Xbox Series X
Microsoft’s full-fat current-generation console is a fine machine on the other side of the console divide, and offers its own suite of specs, experiences, and games, especially through Xbox Game Pass. If you’re on the lookout for a home console that will offer the best graphical experience for the enormous game library on this side of the canyon, then this is the machine to go for.
Although rumors of a successor rumble on, the Nintendo Switch is arguably the best handheld home gaming console, which sets it well apart from the likes of the PS5 Pro. If you’d been eyeing up a handheld games console next, rather than a mid-generation upgrade, then the Nintendo Switch is a great option to consider.
Tested for many hours a day for around a week, playing and running a range of games
Compared design, build, features, and performance directly to PS5 Slim and launch PS5
Tested download speeds, transfers, load times, and gameplay improvements
I tested the PS5 Pro for about a week for review. I installed nearly 20 games from both my PS5 and PS4 libraries on it and compared them running on the PS5 Pro to my standard PS5 console. I spent hours observing how the games looked and performed in all modes - and tinkered with settings - on the PS5 Pro compared to the PS5 which allowed me to spot differences between the two consoles.
Comparisons between the models didn’t stop at games, however, as I also compared the PS5 Pro on a physical level to the PS5 Slim and base PS5 launch model, looking at physical appearance, dimensions, weight, footprint, taking console covers off and reapplying them, adding an M.2 SSD, port arrangement, using it both vertically and horizontally, testing noise pollution, as well as observing download and install speeds and testing connectivity through Wi-Fi and ethernet.
I also, simply, used it as my daily gaming platform, playing a variety of games, both single-player and online, browsing the menus and engaging with different settings, moving games and apps from storage locations, and more.
I used the PS5 Pro on both a gaming monitor and TV for testing; the former being an Acer Predator X32Q FS 4K screen that offered a quality screen to test the Pro’s 120Hz capabilities, and the latter being a Samsung Q6F QLED 4K TV, enabling me to test it with a non-120Hz display.
The company hasn’t been around all that long, but this is not Austrian Audio’s first rodeo at the entry point of the wired over-ear headphones market. Its performance credentials are established, but with the Hi-X20 it seems to have decided that it would like its headphones to look as coherent as they sound to sit among the best wired headphones out there. Which can only be a good thing.
The ‘Hi-X’ bit of the model number means ‘high excursion’, and the Hi-X20 use the same 44mm full-range dynamic driver assembly as all the other ‘Hi-X’ models in the Austrian Audio line-up. This, too, counts as an uncomplicatedly good thing.
And when it comes to ‘performance’, the Hi-X20 are all business. From detail retrieval to dynamics, and soundstaging to tonal balance, they’re a confident and very accomplished listen. They unify recordings properly, strike a nice balance between ‘poise’ and ‘attack’, keep momentum levels high and have complete command over rhythm and tempo. Some listeners might conceivably require greater punch from the (nicely shaped, nicely varied) low frequencies that are on offer here, but everyone else can just revel in sound quality that makes the asking price seem a bit like a misprint.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Price & release date
Released October, 2024
Priced $150 / £120 / AU$250
The Austrian Audio Hi-X20 have been on sale since October 2024, and at a price of $150 / £120 / AU$250 they’re one of the company’s most affordable designs. But while the affordable wired over-ear closed-back design isn’t the most fashionable at the moment, it’s not as if the Hi-X20 are your only choice. Plenty of brands, from FiiO to Sony and many points in between, have a comparable model in their line-ups…
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Features
44mm full-range dynamic drivers
12Hz - 24kHz frequency response
Detachable 3m cable
The same high-excursion dynamic driver is fitted to every ‘Hi-X’ headphones in the Austrian Audio line-up. It’s a 44mm full-range number, backed by a powerful ring magnet and lightweight copper-covered aluminium voice-coil. A strong magnetic field, optimal airflow and rapid impulse reaction all combine in the arrangement to deliver, according to the manufacturer, a frequency response of 12Hz - 24kHz.
The Hi-X20 are supplied with a three-meter length of cable for connection to a source. At one end it clicks and twists into a 2.5mm socket on the left ear cup, while at the other end its 3.5mm termination also features a 6.3mm adapter. It’s a useful length of cable if you’re using your headphones in a professional capacity, sure, but it’s a bit much if all you’re doing is domestic listening. A second, shorter option in the packaging might have been nice.
That’s pretty much your lot for ‘features’. Even the most expensive passive headphones tend not to have all that long a list of features, and the Hi-X20 simply have the essentials.
Features score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Sound quality
Fast, attacking-yet-controlled sound
Confident, positive presentation
Some listeners will require greater bass presence
Despite sharing the same driver arrangement as every other ‘Hi-X’ model, Austrian Audio has tuned the Hi-X20 to address some perceived issues in the way some of the brand's predecessors sound. Whether or not it has been successful in this endeavour, there’s certainly no getting away from the fact that the Hi-X20 are a persuasive listen and an accomplished product.
There’s straight-edged attack to the onset of sounds, no matter where in the frequency range they occur. The top end is bright and shining, nicely controlled and with enough substance to prevent even the crunchiest treble sounds becoming edgy or hard. The Hi-X20 are speedy in their presentation, and keep momentum levels high in every circumstance.
A 24bit/44.1kHz FLAC of Lamb’s Trans Fatty Acid from Kruder & Dorfmeister’s The K&D Sessions illustrates the point in full. The Hi-X20 fairly motor through the tune, expressing the rhythm confidently and offering a direct, convincing overall presentation. Integration of the frequency range is smooth throughout, and in the midrange there’s a degree of positivity that makes the vocal performance sound assertive and articulate.
At the bottom of the frequency range, the Austrian Audio extract and contextualize just as much detail as elsewhere, and there’s pleasing variation to bass sounds. They’re not without substance, either – although the fleet-footed nature of the sound here means the lowest frequencies can be fractionally slender – if you’re the sort of listener who likes to be pummelled by low-frequency presence, you might conceivably find the Hi-X20 a little on the lean side.
Dynamic headroom is considerable, and the Austrian Audio respond instantly to switches in volume or intensity. They create a large, well-defined and properly organized soundstage, too, and manage to unify even complex recordings into singular occurrences rather than present them as a collection of individual and unrelated events.
Switching to a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Nick Drake’s Which Will allows the Hi-X20 to demonstrate their understanding of tone and texture. The acoustic instrumentation and close-mic’d vocal is delivered in an intimate, assured style – not every pair of headphones can make this recording sound as near-field and naturalistic as this, no matter the asking price.
Sound quality score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Design
Neat folding arrangement
Metal headband and hinges
Replaceable ear pads
You don’t ‘design’ headphones, really, certainly not affordable headphones – you ‘build’ them. And so the Hi-X20 look just as you’d expect a pair of affordable over-ear closed-back headphones to look. ‘Design’ doesn’t come into it.
Mind you, at least the Hi-X20 don’t follow the example of previous affordable Austrian Audio models by having far too many colours and textures involved. The HiX-20 are almost entirely black in finish, with only a smattering of branding picked out in red. The plastic that constitute the rear of the ear cup and cover the headband adjustment mechanism feel sturdy enough, and the slow-retention memory foam that makes up the ear pads and sits across the inside of the headband is pleather-covered and comfortable.
In fact, thanks to their 255g weight and some judicious clamping force, the whole experience of wearing the Hi-X20 is comfortable. There’s plenty of headband adjustment available, and the Austrian Audio fold plenty small enough to fit into the small, soft bag they’re supplied with.
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Value
Comfortable, good-looking and acceptably finished
Long cable only minor shortcoming
They’re the best-looking ‘Hi-X’ headphones so far, they’re built and finished to a very acceptable standard, they’re comfortable and they sound great. Maybe the cable is on the long side, but if you can live with this minor shortcoming (and you really ought to), there’s no disputing the value for money the Hi-X20 represent.
Value score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Should I buy the Austrian Audio Hi-X20?
Buy them if...
You enjoy direct, revealing sound They have great powers of insight, the Hi-X20, but even more than this they’re an engaging and entertaining listen. It’s a potent combination
You enjoy an understated look Unlike previous Austrian Audio efforts, the Hi-X20 are not showy where colors are concerned – and they’re all the better for it
You intend to listen for hours on end The Austrian Audio are comfortable for the long haul, and their ear pads don’t heat up anything like as quickly as some alternative headphones
Don't buy them if...
You’re a bass fiend Low frequencies are properly represented here, but the Hi-X20 are a whippet of a listen, rather than an XL Bully
You get tangled easily Three meters of cable might be ideal for some users, but the rest of us are going to find ourselves with a lot of cable that’s just in the way
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review: Also consider
Grado SR80x If you'll accept an open-back design (and one that sits on, rather than over, your ears) there's so much to love sonically about Grado's May 2021-release affordable headphones. The design is Grado's calling card – just don't wear them on the bus unless you want to annoy your fellow commuters. Read our Grado SR80x review for the full story.
Sivga Oriole Another beautiful set of headphones that belie their lowly price tag, this time over-ears and finished in wood. The sound is strong and vivacious too, if lacking in a little of the dynamic nuance of much pricier options. See our Sivga Oriole review for the full story
How I tested the Austrian Audio Hi-X20
Connected to an iFi iDSD Diablo 2 headphone amplifier
With a variety of digital audio file types and sizes
For well over a working week
My reference amplifier (a Naim Uniti Star) has a 3.5mm headphone socket – and so all my testing was done using a (delightfully capable) iFi iDSD Diablo 2 headphone amp connected via UBS-C to an Apple MacBook Pro. And this is loaded with Colibri software in order to play proper high-resolution content, plus less information-rich stuff, too. I listened to music of every style and genre and did all of this for just over two weeks.
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Red Magic 10 Pro+ display specs
The BOE-developed OLED panel will launch with the narrowest bezels on the smartphone market at just 1.25mm. We can see a comparison to the Red Magic 9S Pro in one of the shots which shows the difference in border width between the two generations.
The new panel also features rounded corners, a 1220p resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 2,000 nits peak brightness....
Samsung just launched the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition in China but under a different name. The foldable is called Samsung W25 and comes with a new redesign. Golden accents can be found everywhere around the phone – the hinge, the frame, and even the camera lenses.
The announcement in China saw two foldables. The second is called W25 Flip and is essentially the Galaxy Z Flip6, but again redesigned along the same lines as the W25.
The W25 (sold in South Korea as Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition) is a much more polished foldable than the globally available Galaxy Z Fold6 with its bigger...
Samsung just launched the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition in China but under a different name. The foldable is called Samsung W25 and comes with a new redesign. Golden accents can be found everywhere around the phone – the hinge, the frame, and even the camera lenses.
The announcement in China saw two foldables. The second is called W25 Flip and is essentially the Galaxy Z Flip6, but again redesigned along the same lines as the W25.
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The iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 is essentially an easy way to keep all your digital data safe, whether personal or for business, albeit at a cost. The design is reminiscent of a traditional safe keypad, and the way it works isn't too far removed. Once set up with admin and user passcodes or passwords, you can be assured that the only way back into the ample 2TB of storage is with the correct codes.
The passcode protection is at the hardware level, and iStorage has built the small drive to withstand brute force attempts to access it, both physically and through software. If someone does find a way to hack their way in, then there are options to erase all data if unauthorized access is attempted, essentially meaning that this drive offers one of the most secure data drive options out there.
When it comes to software protection, the drive is safeguarded by AES 256-bit encryption with FIPS 140-3 validation. This security is coupled with a rugged, tamper-proof casing that will help to ensure your data stays safe, although it's also worth pointing out the while this case is tough it isn't waterproof.
Reflecting the drive's security, the build and design all reflect the nature of this SSD. However, in terms of size, it's only slightly larger than other 2TB portable SSDs on the market and shares a similar USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection. This connection enables quoted data transfer speeds of up to 448MB/s, and in our benchmarking tests, the read speeds we registered weren't too far off that mark.
While speed is important, with the drive enabling access at speeds in excess of 400MB/s through our test, this is relatively slow for an SSD, however, that's more than enough for most documents you want to keep secure. With a decent 2TB of storage space, there should be ample room for a business's corporate documents and any other digital data that needs to be kept secure, and there are options for a larger capacity if your budget allows.
It may not be the best portable SSD we've tested when it comes to speeds, but whether it's for business, personal use, or as a drive you'll be taking with you but need to keep secure, the iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 is one of the smallest and most secure options out there.
iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3: Price & availability
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 (2TB SSD) is priced at £660. It is available directly from iStorage and includes a semi-hard protective case, USB Type-C and Type-A cables, and a 3-year warranty. The drive is available for purchase in several storage capacities.
Score: 4/5
iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3: Design & build
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The DiskAshur Pro 3's build quality and design completely reflect its intended use as a secure portable SSD. First, the drive's size, at 131 x 83mm x 20.8mm and weighing 257g, makes it ultra-portable and easy to stash in a physical safe if needed. Like other portable SSDs, its small size and weight make it easy to carry, adding little bulk or weight to any bag you might be using. The actual size of the drive is marginally larger than a standard 2.5" portable SSD, although only by a bit, due to the added protection of the case.
Aside from the slight increase in physical dimensions, the main feature that sets this drive apart is the keypad on the front, which has a standard 12-key layout with numbers 0 to 9, along with a shift and lock key. Different key combinations essentially enable you to unlock and access various functions and features.
Alongside the keys are three LED lights that let you gauge exactly what is happening and enable you to set admin and user passwords. It's a very analog approach and enables the drive to be completely independent from the need for a computer, aside from the power draw to the connected device until it's unlocked.
The only other visible physical features are the USB Type-C port on the back, which handles all data transfer, and a Kensington lock, which enables it to be physically secured to a desk with an appropriate cable.
Internally, the drive's construction ensures durability with a tamper-proof epoxy enclosure that prevents physical access, essentially if you try to break it apart the epoxy, as it's removed will inevitably damage the drive. The design also features IP56 protection, which means that drive is dust- and water-resistant, allowing it to withstand more than most.
Design & build: 4.5/5
iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3: Features
The DiskAshur Pro 3 is designed with security as its primary focus, and every feature of this compact portable SSD reflects that. Starting with the physical keypad on the front, it's designed to allow you to enter PINs ranging from 8 to 64 digits in length to gain access. Through the setup process, which is carried out using combinations of button presses, you can protect against brute force lockouts and set self-destruct PINs. You can also enable backlit illumination for the keypad to use in low-light environments. Additionally, the drive allows for different PIN setups, including admin, user, and one-time pass, offering plenty of flexibility in how the drive can be used.
The drive's physical features showcase its security credentials, which are backed by its successful evaluation and issuance of CAVP certificates, which demonstrate compliance with the latest U.S. government computer security standards for cryptographic modules. These CAVP certificates include Library—Certificate A5501, EC Library—Certificate A5502, RNG Library—Certificate A5500, and Entropy Source Certificate E198. Essentially, it meets very high-security standards, including those government accreditations. Further adding to its secure credentials, it features military-grade FIPS PUB 197 validated AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption.
In addition to the technology that protects the data, the drive itself is encased in a durable epoxy resin layer, which makes it nearly impossible to remove the drive without breaking it apart. A feature that will appeal to many is the ability to format the drive in native file formats for different systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, as well as others. You can also configure the drive to be bootable for Linux or other operating systems. To ensure maximum compatibility, the drive comes with a USB Type-C connector, and the protective semi-hard case includes both Type-C to Type-C and Type-C to Type-A cables.
While the drive isn't built for speed, the USB Type-C connection ensures decent transfer rates, with speeds up to 448MB/s. Once set up, there are plenty of options and protections, including a brute force hack defence mechanism that allows 10 consecutive failed attempts to access the drive before all data is erased. For access, you can set up user, admin, and one-time access, with the option for a self-destruct PIN that will erase the full content of the drive if entered.
Looking at a few of the more physical features of the drive, it includes a backlit keypad that can be switched on or off as needed. The keys themselves are made from ultra-robust, wear-resistant epoxy, ensuring their longevity. It's also worth highlighting that while the drive is rugged, it isn't waterproof but is IP65 certified for dust and water resistance.
When it comes to more advanced features, the drive can be configured to be write-protected, allowing the contents to be viewed but not altered or removed. Additionally, you have three encryption options: AES-ECB 256-bit, AES-CTS 256-bit (default), and AES-CBC 256-bit.
The main feature of this drive is security, but speed is also of interest. With SSD technology and an ultrafast USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 connection, the speeds are relatively decent, though not groundbreaking. In our benchmarking tests, the drive consistently produced results around 400MB/s read and 250MB/s write. While these speeds would be restrictive for any creative use as a working drive, the fact that it offers a huge 2TB of storage means that, if you have client work that needs to be kept secure, it will still back up your content considerably faster than an HDD, even if it takes a bit longer than a standard SSD.
During testing, the drive was carried around for a week in a backpack along with other gear, though always in the protective semi-hard case included with the purchase. The combination of the case, the robust build of the drive, and the solid-state nature of the SSD meant that this test for durability was handled by the drive with ease, as was leaving it on a table during a light rain shower.
When it comes to write speeds, and considering that this is primarily a secure drive rather than one built for outright performance, transfer rates of close to 400MB/s are decent enough as a storage device and good for a bit of light HD video editing if needed.
On a PC laptop, the drive's performance is solid with no issues. However, on a Mac, the drive can randomly disconnect. In the box, there is a set of instructions that explain how to work around this issue. While for the most part this works, with Apple Silicon and macOS Sequoia, the workaround sometimes required a restart after each time the drive was connected.
The main focus of this drive is security, and in that regard, it is impressive. While for single users the keypad access is simple (essentially functioning like a digital safe), one of the most interesting features is the ability to set up multiple users and one-time users.
This is done through a series of button presses, with confirmation provided by the three lights illuminating in different ways. You follow the instructions, wait for the lights, and proceed. Through various keystroke combinations, you can set up initial admin access, user access, and even one-time access.
This is great for businesses that need to provide sensitive data to their workforce. An IT department can set up admin and user access, and the drive can then be sent out with the content for employees to use. You can, if needed, make the content read-only, so the user can access the content but cannot update it, which is another handy feature.
Additionally, the drive allows you to program one-time access, where a PIN is created and the user can access the drive only once before the PIN becomes void and the drive locks again. It's all very secure, and as long as you take your time to follow the instructions, it's relatively easy to set up.
In terms of security, the way the drive works is quite interesting. Due to the encryption, even when connected, the drive won't do anything. You can check the attached drives, and your computer will show nothing is attach—even if you attempt to access the drive using software designed to decrypt encrypted drives, it remains invisible. Only when the correct code is entered on the keypad does the drive unlock and connect, making it incredibly secure and well beyond any software solution that we have access to.
While the drive may not be the fastest SSD on the market, at 400MB/s it's still fast enough for most tasks. So if you need to use the drive for additional storage for image or video editing, or even for running apps, it will enable you to do so.
In terms of real-world performance, the drive is impressive—fast considering its intended use and, most importantly, exceptionally secure.
Performance: 4/5
Should you buy the iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3?
The iStorage DiskAshur Pro 3 is completely focused on keeping your data safe, and while the drive isn't the fastest in terms of SSD performance, it's still fast enough for most processes. The security level is impressive, and in testing with all the software we had at our disposal, including EaseUS, the drive remained locked and impenetrable. The fact that it doesn't even mount or attempt to mount before the correct code has been entered makes the usual inroads that software allows void. This truly highlights that this is an ultra-secure drive with military-grade encryption, PIN authentication, and a tamper-resistant design. Of course, this level of security comes at a cost, but if you need your files to be secure, then this is the price you'll have to pay.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Buy it if...
You need ultimate security.
The DiskAshur Pro 3 offers unmatched data protection with military-grade encryption and physical PIN authentication.
You work in sensitive industries.
Ideal for government or corporate users handling highly sensitive data.
Don't buy it if...
You need a high-speed drive.
While secure, the DiskAshur Pro 3 lags behind in speed compared to other SSDs.
You're on a tight budget.
The high price tag may be overkill for casual users or basic backups.
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Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 update changelog
Nothing hasn't...
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