PS4 vs PS4 Pro: discover what the differences are and which model to buy

 The PlayStation 5 is due out in late 2020, so PlayStation 4 prices will drop further. Many of us are looking for opportunities to buy a Sony console. If you are one of those people, you surely want to know who wins in the battle of PS4 vs PS4 Pro.

In this article, we talk about the different advantages and disadvantages of each version and show some comparisons. Find out which version of PS4 you should buy and why!

PlayStation 4 and Slim: specifications

Since the first PlayStation they created, Sony releases alternative and improved versions of their consoles. They are always looking for ways to downsize and make some improvements. Most of the time, players don't notice much of a difference, other than changes in appearance.

For example, in the case of PlayStation 4 and PS4 Slim, the differences between the two versions are few. These changes focused more on being able to increase the storage capacity (from 500 GB to 1 TB), as well as improve the connectivity of the console.

Take a look at the comparison table and you will see:

PlayStation 4 Pro: specifications

The PS4 Pro is considered to be a mid-generation console, even more so than the Slim version. Both were announced in 2016, but the Pro is more powerful. Both the CPU and the GPU were improved by Sony, and what is the biggest attraction of this version was added: the support of 4K technology. On the other hand, Sony opted to put an extra 1GB of RAM just for non-gaming apps like Spotify.

You can see the summary of PS4 Pro specifications with the following table:

Comparison between PS4 models

If you do not understand very well what some specifications or others mean, you may not see the difference between the PS4 models so clearly. To start, let's talk about graphic power. TFLOPS or Teraflops can be compared to the horses in a chariot. That is to say, it is the power that makes almost everything we see in a video game move.

As for the CPU, the processor, the Pro version gets a substantial upgrade. In practice, this allows video game developers to increase the resolution of their games, in addition to adding extra details. In other words, it helps the GPU do its job!

The lights, shadows, facial expressions, everything has a more realistic result in Pro. This guarantees more polished graphics, in addition to noticing a greater fluidity in the games. Even so, Sony requires studios that games run at the same performance on all versions of PS4.

The main difference that can be seen is the lighting effects. Sunbeams or candle lights are more realistic and beautiful on PlayStation 4 Pro. The details of the scenery such as rocks, mountains, and the snow itself are faithfully reproduced.

By having greater rendering power, studios are able to create games with more detailed and larger worlds. Games do not suffer from slowdowns or almost infinite loading windows. For example, Assassin's Creed Odyssey takes a long time on a regular PS4 but runs faster on Pro.

The 4K of the PS4 Pro is not native

The issue of resolutions still causes controversy in the world of consoles. To clarify this issue, you should keep in mind that a PC with 4K support is much more expensive than a PS4 Pro. For this reason, it is to be expected that the 4K of the Pro version is not native. In games like Red Dead Redemption 2, the option doesn't even appear.

Even so, the difference is minimal! The PS4 Pro can go up to 3200 by 1800 resolution, which is close to 4K. Sony developed a technology that makes upscaling faster and easier. The result is that either you have a very trained eye for these things, or you won't notice much of a difference.

HDR or 4K without a compatible TV is losing money

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and it is basically a technology focused on making images brighter, sharper, and more detailed. Paired with 4K, games have a nice, smooth finish. The problem with this is that you need a suitable TV to take advantage of these technologies. And they are expensive!

A PlayStation Pro with a standard TV, without HDR or 4K, will present very similar graphics to a regular PS4. For that reason, if you don't have a TV with these features and don't think you're going to get one in the near future, it's best not to get the PS4 Pro if you already have a regular PS4.

Physical dimensions of each version

Thinking about this aspect is essential. Not everyone has a large game room or a room with a lot of space left over. That is why it is convenient to know the sizes of each version, to know where you can place the console and where not.

These are the sizes:

• PlayStation 4: 27.5 x 30.5 x 5.3 cm.
• PlayStation 4 Slim: 26.5 x 28.8 x 3.9 cm.
• PlayStation 4 Pro: 29.5 x 32.7 x 5.5 cm.

Generally speaking, the Pro is 20% larger than the first version, and 80% larger than the Slim!

Games that take advantage of the PS4 Pro

We do not always manage to notice an evolution in the games from one console to another. We remind you that it depends a lot on each title, and on the effort made by the developers to take advantage of everything that the Pro offers.

Here's a list of games that do take advantage of the PS4 Pro and look better on that version:

• Battlefield 1
• Borderlands 3
• Devil May Cry 5
• Hitman
• Horizon: Zero Dawn
• Infamous: Second Son
• Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
• Rise of The Tomb Raider
• The Last Guardian
• The Last of Us Remastered
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Watch Dogs 2

Conclusions: which model to buy

We have three conclusions to give you.

Conclusion 1 - If you already own a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 4 Slim and a 1080p TV, forget about buying the Pro. Unless you decide to buy a TV with 4K support, the Pro is not worth the money. You won't take advantage of it at all!

Conclusion 2: If you have the standard model of the console but you have a 4K TV, it is useful to buy the PS4 Pro. The graphics, resolution, details, everything improves with the combination of Pro + TV 4K + TV HDR. HDR detail is very important. If your television does not support this technology, do not spend the money to change the version!

Conclusion 3: If you don't have a PlayStation 4, or a 4K TV, we advise you to buy the Pro. The reason for this is that even if you don't have a 4K and HDR-compatible TV, both the visual finish and the performance receive a small difference. improvement. Especially in terms of performance, because the games will work better.

After all, if you don't have enough money for a PS4 Pro, don't be discouraged! You can always opt for the PS4 Slim, which is a version similar to the standard version but with slight improvements that you will surely appreciate.