Update: In 2025, Sony will stop releasing games for the PS4 and PS4 Pro.
Weighing up the PS4 Pro vs. the PS4 Slim is still something you may currently be considering even with the PS5 now available and the PS5 Pro on the way later this year. The latest PlayStation is building a strong library of its own but the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro are still providing a compelling gaming experience given they can run loads of cross-generation games, as well as a whole generations worth of fantastic titles. So picking up one of the last-generation consoles might not seem so strange.
The $299 PS4 Slim (which is simply known as PS4 at this stage of its lifecycle) replaced the original model with a slightly shrunk-down design. The $399 PS4 Pro is a 4K entertainment machine that can play games and movies in ultra-high-def.
So, if you're on the fence, and trying to determine which fits your needs best, Read on for a head-to-head between the PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim, so if you're not fully sold on getting a PS5 quite yet you'll know which fourth-generation PlayStation to go for.
PS4 Pro vs. PS4 Slim: features
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The PS4 Slim is the refreshed version of the standard PS4, with a design that Sony says is 30 percent smaller, 16 percent lighter and consumes 30 percent less power than the launch model. So unless you really need those few inches of extra space, folks who already own a PS4 have virtually no reason to buy the Slim.
At $299, however, the Slim is the cheapest barrier of entry for aspiring PS4 owners who want to play Ghost of Tsushima, Death Stranding, Marvel's Spider-Man and many more of the best PS4 games. Also, the Pro won't do you much good if you don't have one of the best TVs with 4K compatibility, so if you don't already own a 4K TV or don't have the budget to buy one, go with the Slim.
If you don't have a PS4 yet, own a 4K television and can afford to spend a little more, you should absolutely go for the PS4 Pro. For $100 more, you get a console capable of playing games and streaming movies in 4K resolution.
So should existing PS4 owners upgrade to the Pro? That's a tougher call. The ever-growing list of PS4 Pro enhanced games includes Red Dead Redemption 2, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Uncharted 4 and Destiny 2, so it all depends on what you play and how badly you want to see those games in shiny 4K. Naturally, due to its extra power, the PS4 Pro is notably chunkier than the PS4 Slim, which you may notice if you're trying to fit it under your TV or in a narrow cubbyhole.
PS4 Pro vs. PS4 Slim: PlayStation VR and HDR
The PlayStation VR headset works on any PS4, though you'll get the smoothest virtual reality experience possible on the Pro when getting immersed in games like Tetris Effect and Resident Evil 7.
Both the PS4 and PS4 Pro support High Dynamic Range for richer, brighter colors on supported TVs. So whether your screen of choice can use HDR or not, it won't make a difference to your buying decision.
PS4 Pro vs. PS4 Slim: Game Library
One thing you won't have to factor in when choosing your PS4 is game selection. All current and upcoming PS4 games work on PS4, PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro — the only difference is they might look a little prettier on the Pro. That means that you'll get to play excellent exclusives like Spider-Man, God of War (and its sequel God of War: Ragnarök) and Uncharted 4 as well as third-party blockbusters such as Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare no matter which console you choose. Even some of the biggest games of the current generation like Elden Ring and Hogwarts Legacy have still found their way onto the PS4 console.
PS4 Pro vs. PS4 Slim: What About the PS5?
If you're debating between the PS4 and PS4 Pro, perhaps you're also wondering whether you should get a PS5.
The next-gen PlayStation is more powerful, offers next-gen features like its haptics-heavy DualSense controller and 3D audio. Plus, it comes with some new exclusive games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2. It's significantly more expensive at $499 (though it's dropped closer to $399 during seasonal sales ), but it's a more future-proofed machine that will be receiving the latest games for likely the next five years at least.
The PS4 Slim is something to consider if you're on a very restricted budget or just want to dip into the console's existing game library. While a select few new releases are hitting the console (for example, Harry Potter Quidditch Champions and annual sports games like Madden NFL 25), it's certainly in its twilight years with the majority of blockbuster AAA titles in the future set to prioritise PS5, Xbox Series X and PC.
PS4 Pro vs. PS4 Slim: Bottom Line
All in all, the PS4 Slim is a good budget buy, while the PS4 Pro is a wise choice for gamers with 4K televisions who want the very best experience available. That is, if you want a PlayStation right now. Waiting for the PS5 might be a good idea if you want to make more of an investment, albeit a more expensive one, in long-term gaming enjoyment.
You also shouldn't forget about Microsoft's offerings either, even if you consider it blasphemy to buy a non-Sony console. There's the $249 Xbox One S, which has a 4K Blu-ray player and offers HDR gaming, as well as the $499 Xbox One X, which offers even more 4K power than the PS4 Pro, although it does cost more. Then there's the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, the next-gen Xbox consoles. Like the PS5, they are more expensive, but will have a longer life overall.
