PS4 vs. PS4 Pro - Which Is Right For You?

The PS4 is king of the console crop, so which should you opt for? The PS4 Slim, or the PS4 Pro? This article helps those undecided to decide.

[PhoenixUp]

I immediately got the base model cuz it was attractively cheaper and I have no regrets

[solderman]

I got a PS4 Pro and would recommend a PS4 over it. Why? Because the PS4 Pro support for games doesn't seem to be coming on the discs anymore. So what happens in the future when I can no longer get patches for these games? The Pro becomes a standard PS4 again. I would apply the same argument to the Xbox One X when you can't download their monster patches anymore.

[Damthatsword]

The same logic applies to the ps4. Unpatched games on og ps4 is horrid. Bloodborne on boost mode keeps it's 30 fps locked. Unlike the garbage 20-25 fps on og ps4. Over all depends on what u can tolerate. I game on pc, so the pro was a given. I will not tolerate the overall bad performance of the og.

[starchild]

The somewhat higher cost of the Pro is well worth it. Games look and run better on it. I wouldn't choose the base PS4 personally. I sold my original PS4 and got a Pro as soon as it came out and I'm very happy with my decision.

[outsider1624]

Starchild, does it improve performance on a 32inch tv. Or do u need a 4k tv to see all those bells and whistles. I just got a good deal selling off my 4year old Og ps4. I'm deciding to get a new one.

[Rude-ro]

@outsider
Everything is improved due to boost mode.
Games that do not currently support a higher res, means you will be playing the same version, but with better performance.

[Omnislashver36]

@outsider

Boost mode for higher FPS as well as higher res if your TV is 1080p on some games. For example FFXV is around 800p but will display 1080p on the Pro, same with Battlefront, Neir Automata, and KH2.8 being 900p.

I bought a Pro for that, but also because I plan to upgrade to 4K in the next year.

[robleroy]

Anyone with a psvr should get a pro.
This combo is the best VR sollution overall.

The enhanced VR experience beats added 4K or HDR... Why??....during 99% of the time of gameplay players actually are less focussed on resolution.
You are more focussed on what button to push when a certain small part of the whole screen (ball, object,bot) acts.

With psvr on a pro the whole picture /world becomes more clear and less washed. And in VR gamers focus 90% of the time on their surroundings during gameplay.
In 2d gameplay its the other way around.

[sammarshall102]

I bought the standard PS4 and it immediately moved into my top consoles of all time list I'm very satisfied with the regular model

[TripleCs]

If you don't have a 4K TV then get the base PS4.
If you don't have a PS4 and have a 4K TV then the Pro is the obvious choice.
If you have a 4K TV and the base PS4 then you honestly don't have to upgrade unless you're not tight on money and want too upgrade like I did.

That's just the way I look at it.

[Razzer]

Hammer, meet nail.

[robleroy]

Is 4K instead of 1080P worth the extra 50% cost $$???.
IMO :no!!...4K does not give the game 50% added positive game experience. but HDR does have a bigger impact than 4K.
A 4K TV screen within games just gives you the option to pause while gaming and focus on minor details to bloat about the extra horsepower in the graphics engine which is barely noticed by casual gamers.
It is mostly noticed by bystanders who watch the gamer play the game on at least a 55 inc tV and within a range of 1.5 meters.

IMO (in the given order the 1st would have the highest reason/priority) :
1)Do you have or want a PSVR: yes..certainly..for 80% choose a pro.. playing some VR games on the OG PS4 is like playing without glasses (for people with little weak eyeglasses).
2)DO you have or want a good HDR TV?: yes ..I would mostly opt.for 30% choosing a ps4 pro
3)DO you have or want a 4K TV: Then maybe, if you have spare change ..for 10% choose a ps4 pro
(not like in VR.with 2D games a gamer is less focused on the surroundings thus the resolution. In VR you are a lot more focussed on your game surroundings during gamplay..resolution and sharpness will matter and enhance the gameplay experiance)

[Ben12]

I don't want either. Xbox one x for me. That's right the console with more power and better resolution. Say what you want but when ps4 was the more powerfull. all the ps fans were all over xbox fans. So take it like a man and suck it up.

[Razzer]

Were “all” the Xbox fans saying resolution didn’t matter back then? That seemed to be the argument for many, but since you are generalizing “all”....

[combatcash]

Everything matters but honestly I think most Xbox gamers mainly play third party games. So it makes sense for them to buy the X.

[JackBNimble]

Well I guess if you don't have much for exclusives then obviously you're going to play more third-party games.

[combatcash]

@Ben12 I think you’re lost, this is about PS4 and PS4 pro. IMO PS4 or PRO top the X in variety and quality of games.

[GNCFLYER]

Ben acts like he's 12.....

[DarXyde]

Who the hell is talking about Xbox One X? This is a matter of PS4 Pro or PS4.

Way to stay on topic and instigate. This is why people get up in arms. Because people like you will turn topics like this into pissing matches.

No one above you is talking about Xbox One. No one cares, shut up, go away.

This gets old.

[TheVetOfGaming]

Sold my OG ps4 for $200 two weeks ago and bought a slim 1tb for the same price. The OG was getting loud, and I managed to snag a good deal on the slim. I'm good until PS5 arrives.

[Eidolon]

Someone bought it for $200? O_O

[TheVetOfGaming]

Yh. I had an old turtle beach and one game in the bundle, but it was an old game and the mic was missing from the headset. Sold it, then went straight to an independent game store and haggled a 1tb slim down to $200. Bargain.

[ziggurcat]

At this point, if you're going to get a PS4, you might as well get the Pro.

[DarXyde]

I don't know about all that. I feel like you'd appreciate next generation more (and be financially better off) getting a slim instead of a Pro. I don't own a Pro, but as I understand, games actually taking proper advantage of the hardware is limited to first-party titles in most cases. At least with the base PS4, there's no concern regarding games utilizing the hardware.

Also hear the slim is extremely quiet. Granted, my PS4 only gets loud when playing games that really push the hardware (i.e., Uncharted 4 and Horizon: Zero Dawn). If they dropped a slim Pro at the right price, I might consider it if it means stabilizing the frame rate on some games. Don't care for the graphical performance boosts though, so I feel like I wouldn't get as much out of it.

[ziggurcat]

"I don't own a Pro, but as I understand, games actually taking proper advantage of the hardware is limited to first-party titles in most cases."

That's not necessarily true - there are plenty of 3rd party titles that have Pro enhancements... it was actually mandated as of October last year that any game releasing from then on had to have Pro support in some fashion. The problem, though, is that Sony weren't strict on what that support had to be. It could be a simple resolution bump or it could be improved frame rate, better textures, etc...

Games that don't have any Pro enhancements still get some benefits with frame rate stabilization via Boost Mode.

"Don't care for the graphical performance boosts though, so I feel like I wouldn't get as much out of it."

even if you don't care, it doesn't hurt to have those extra enhancements.

[DarXyde]

Ziggurcat,

I heard it was mandated, but how well supported is the hardware? Like is it really taking advantage of the hardware or just offering something a little better? Like I said, I believe first party studios are taking serious advantage of the hardware and a lot of third parties aren't. That's the general sense I get from consumer feedback anyway. I don't know anyone with a Pro to see for myself, unfortunately. Boost mode sounds great and I'd totally take advantage of that. Again though, not sure the differences are worth upgrading hardware over.

Also, the part about not caring for otter enhancements needs to be clarified. Not all developers care about incorporating frame rate modes which I don't like. Extra effects and such are cool, but if I could run all games 1080p/60fps, with the same graphics, I'm fine with that. Actually, for me, that's ideal.

We're 4 years in and I love the base hardware. Pro is unquestionably superior, but I can wait. If they offer Pro at the right price with a slim version and my launch PS4 bites the dust, I'd consider it. Otherwise, if PS5 has the same architecture (it probably will for third party development reasons) that'll probably offer a boost mode for Pro games. I just feel that waiting it out is the best option.

[rainslacker]

It's not limited to 1st party games, although those usually do show the most improvement, it's just that the improvements that are there aren't really all that compelling. There are some stand out examples, but overall, unless you just want some extra power at a slightly higher price, I'd probably still recommend the OGPS4. You will get more out of a PS4P, but you won't feel left out with the OGPS4. The games still look fine on the stock console.

[DarXyde]

rainslacker,

I didn't say it was limited to first party titles. I specifically wrote: "I believe first party studios are taking serious advantage of the hardware and a lot of third parties aren't." Didn't imply no third parties are taking advantage of the hardware. Didn't even suggest most. Just "a lot". I don't have any actual statistics on that, so I made a point in being precise with my language.

That aside, I completely agree. I love my base PS4. Games coming out still look great and I'm not going to suddenly find it ugly just because there's more capable hardware out in the wild. Heck, I still think Shadow of the Colossus looks great on the original hardware. I played Horizon: Zero Dawn and Uncharted 4 on my launch console and still come away very impressed.

[Eidolon]

That extra $150(now anyway) will go a long way. You get better performance in every game, and future proof for 4k and enhancements. A PS4 for $200 now is still not a bad choice, but if you're going until PS5, then get a Pro. I just can't go back to base model after seeing the difference in games on a 1080p tv.. getting a 4k hopefully soon.

[Imalwaysright]

It depends on how much you are willing to spend to get the Playstation experience.

[Muigi]

Pro for sure