Sony has officially confirmed that the all-new PlayStation 5 Pro, popularly called PS5 Pro will not be coming to India soon due to some regulatory limitations. The reasons cited by Sony are so surprising and disappointing for Indian gamers who are eager to experience the new console despite its high price. Here is more you need to know about it.
Sony is Not Releasing PS5 Pro in India Citing WiFi 7 Restrictions
Earlier today, Sony India made an official statement through a press release which says the PS5 Pro will not be available in some countries including India. The complete statement is as follows:
PS5 Pro will not be available in some countries (which presently includes India) where 6GHz wireless band used in IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) has not yet been allowed.
The PS5 Pro’s hardware enhancements—including a custom AMD processor, advanced ray tracing, faster frame rates, and support for native 4K and select 8K gaming—make it a major upgrade over the standard PS5. Wi-Fi 7 is central to these improvements, offering speeds up to 46 Gbps and reduced latency for smoother streaming, faster downloads, and more seamless online gaming. By integrating Wi-Fi 7, the PS5 Pro is designed to deliver an immersive gaming experience. However, in regions like India, where the 6GHz band remains unauthorized for public use, these benefits are inaccessible.
Sony’s decision to delay the PS5 Pro’s India launch is surprising, as many other Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices, like Intel’s Lunar Lake laptops, Apple’s iPhone 16 series, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, are available in the Indian market.
India’s unavailability of Wi-Fi 7 isn’t unique to Sony. The issue stems from ongoing debates over the 6GHz band’s usage, with telecom operators pushing for it to be licensed for 5G, while tech companies advocate for keeping it unlicensed for Wi-Fi. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) is lobbying for 6GHz to support 5G, which clashes with the needs of Wi-Fi-reliant devices like the PS5 Pro. This regulatory impasse has held back the rollout of Wi-Fi 7 in India, while regions like the US, EU, and parts of East Asia have already authorized its use.
Despite the regulatory roadblocks, Indian gamers eager to access the PS5 Pro may find it in the grey market. However, these units are sold at inflated prices—up to one lakh rupees—and come with no official warranty, as the console’s retail price is around Rs 59,000 ($699).
Sony has not provided a specific timeline for the PS5 Pro’s launch in India. However, the company is actively working with regulators to expedite the approval process for the 6GHz band. Once the band is approved, the PS5 Pro could potentially launch in India in the near future.
Until then, Indian gamers will have to settle for the standard PS5 or explore other gaming options.
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