With Sony cranking out new enhanced devices at such a quick pace that it’s difficult to tell the difference, PlayStation experts have their job cut out for them. While the market was still buzzing over the original PS4 console, Sony introduced the PS4 Slim on September 16, 2016, including some noticeable but minor differences in features. 

Sony apparently wasn’t ready to let the excitement die down before raising the bar even higher with the arrival of the PS4 Pro version on November 10, 2016, leading to confusion over which of the gaming systems (PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro) to purchase.

Each model is tailored to a specific audience, which is reflected in the pricing. The PlayStation 4 Slim, commonly known as the PS4, can be obtained for as little as $360, although the PlayStation 4 Pro offers more powerful options and costs at least $450.

Let us assist you in making that decision by highlighting the specifications that distinguish the PS4 Slim from PS4 Pro. This article will also help you determine whether switching to the updated version is essential if you are already receiving your money’s worth from the previous.

Overview

Both the PS4 Pro and the PS4 Slim have advantages and disadvantages. If you want a model that takes up less space, the PS4 Slim is an excellent choice. However, if you wish to own a PS4 version that has a 4K resolution, the PS4 Pro is the top option. In this essay, we have provided an objective comparison of the PS4 Slim vs. the PS4 Pro. I hope you’ve made your decision.

PS4 Slim vs PS4 Pro

	PS4 Slim	PS4 Pro
Launch	September 15, 2016	November 10th, 2016
Price	$360	$405
Size	Smaller size	Large size
CPU	AMD Jaguar octa-core at 1.6GHz	AMD Jaguar octa-core 2.1GHz
GPU	AMD Radeon 18 UCs at 800 MHz	AMD Radeon 36 UCs at 911 MHz
Performance mode	No	Graphics/performance
Computational performance	1.84 Teraflops	4.2 Teraflops
Storage	500GB to 1TB	1TB to 2TB
RAM	8 GB	8GB + 1GB extra
Disc player	Blu-Ray	Blu-Ray
Ports and interface	2x USB 3.1, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x PS Camera, HDMI 1.4	3x USB 3.1, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x PS Camera, Optical Audio Output, HDMI 2.0
Dimensions and weight	288 x 265 x 39 mm; 2.1 kg	327 x 295 x 55 mm; 3.3 kg
Maximum image quality	1080p + HDR	4K + HDR
Power consumption and temperature	Max ~80W (1080p)	Max ~155W – 42C (4K)
Maximum frame rate per second	30 fps	60 fps

PS4 Models

The PlayStation 4 was released in 2013, with only the original model available. Sony later launched two enhanced versions of the PS4. These are the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro models.

You can now pick between three distinct PlayStation versions. They are all slightly different from one another. This makes deciding on the right one for you tough.

Which is the better pick, the PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro?

Difference between PS4 and PS4 Pro? You can decide which would be better for you by weighing the advantages and downsides of the PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim.

Design

The Sony PlayStation 4 Slim was Sony’s second model of the console to be introduced. Sony’s goal with the machine was to deliver the same functionality as the standard console in a narrower, smaller, and less expensive package. The PS4 Slim dimensions are 288 x 265 x 39 mm, and it weighs 2.1 kg, whereas the regular PS4 measured 305 x 275 x 53 mm and weighed 2.8 kg. The PS4 Pro, for instance, is 327 x 295 x 55 mm and weighs 3.3 kg.

Apart from the size and weight, the three console variants look relatively similar. The initial PS4 had a line along the middle that “divided” the system into two sections. The top part of the PS4 Slim is reduced in height, whereas the PS4 Pro has three parts rather than just two. It is worth mentioning that the Pro version features the noisy cooler issue that occurred in the first PS4 model, whereas the Slim version does not.

Specifications

All PlayStation 4 models can work with the same games, and there aren’t any games that are only available on one of them. The essential parameters are the same. However, the PS4 Pro has much more oomph in its hardware. As a result, it may run titles with enhanced features such as greater resolution and a more consistent frame rate.

As per Sony, the Pro version has 30% more processing capability thanks to a 2.1 GHz CPU than the PS4 Slim’s 1.6 GHz CPU. It also has a more powerful graphics card, a Radeon having 36 processing units that can achieve 4.2 Teraflops, as opposed to the PS4 Slim’s 18 units at 1.84 Teraflops. The Pro version includes 1 GB of extra memory to handle all out-of-game requests, leaving 8 GB open for the gamer to use as they see fit.

Hardware

The PS4 Pro is a major power improvement compared to the basic PS4, as far as the GPU is concerned. The PS4 Pro has a 4.20-TFLOPS graphics processor based on Radeon, which is a significant improvement over the 1.84-TFLOP CPU utilized inside the standard PS4 ($799.95 at Amazon) and the PS4 Slim.

The PS4 Pro’s CPU also receives a frequency boost, but Sony did not disclose how much quicker it is compared to the PS4’s processor, despite the fact that both machines are using the octa-core x86-64 AMD “Jaguar” CPU. Sony also increased the storage capacity of the PS4 Pro to 1TB, while a 1TB version of PS4 Slim was launched as well. Unexpectedly, the PS4 Pro contains the very same 8GB of GDDR5 RAM as both the standard PS4 and PS4 Slim; that is surprising given Sony’s focus on 4K video support on the PS4 Pro.

Graphics

Sony emphasized the merits of using an Ultra High Definition (4K of UHD) as well as high dynamic range (HDR) television and what the PS4 Pro can achieve with it. The new Pro model can output in 4K quality, whereas the PS4 and PS4 Slim cannot. All PS4s will receive a significant upgrade that will add HDR compatibility to the current 1080p output. However, it was interesting to wait and experience how it was implemented.

This does not necessarily imply that the PS4 Pro can render games at 4K. In fact, that appears rather unlikely. According to Sony’s specifications, the PS4 Pro’s 4K video output can either come through game rendering or up-conversion after rendering at a lesser resolution, and most games will likely use the latter.

Natively rendering games at 4K gives consistently greater graphical fidelity than up-conversion, but it taxed the processors on gaming PCs which cost several times as much as the PS4 Pro. The significantly beefier GPU should help, but given that the machine isn’t getting a significant bump in CPU speed and memory, consider most games just to be up-converted.

HDR and 4K require a high-end television that can accommodate the increased resolution and broader dynamic range. Prices for 4K HDR TVs have dropped dramatically over the years, and you can now get a 55-inch screen for approximately $1,300 LG 55UH8500, but this is still a significant investment. If you do not own a 4K TV, you won’t be able to harness the PS4 Pro’s better resolution output.

Gaming Experience 

The PlayStation 4 Slim model is simply smaller and less expensive. As a result, it has no additional capabilities over the standard model and a resolution restriction of 1080p. The story is very different from the PlayStation 4 Pro. The Pro version was designed as a premium edition for dedicated gamers who want to play PS4 games at greater resolution, such as 4K, and at higher frame rates, such as 60 frames per second (most games work at 30).

These extra features are most effectively used after game studios upgrade their games to support PS4 Pro. There are just a few hundred titles explicitly built for the console, including well-known series such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Call of Duty, as well as Sony exclusives such as God of War as well as Horizon: Zero Dawn. For games that aren’t officially supported, Sony PS4 Pro employs a “Boost Mode,” which typically boosts frame rate and overall performance.

Gamers with the PlayStation VR virtual reality system will enjoy a better experience with the PS4 Pro. The device’s greater frame rate plus resolution aid in the user’s immersion in virtual reality.

Virtual Reality

The performance of PlayStation VR is entirely different. The PS4 Pro was designed to support PlayStation VR better, but the differences are modest in many titles.

Most titles that were available before the launching of the Pro look slightly better on the Pro. Those titles that have been updated to support the Pro’s increased visuals look substantially better than on the basic PS4. Because of the emphasis on framerate in PlayStation VR, Pro Enhanced titles will have better detail.

Even if you don’t notice a significant difference in quality between the two right now, you’ll probably want a PlayStation 4 Pro in the long run for better PlayStation VR gameplay. Bigger and better games will require more power.

Having said that, Sony for PS5 has worked on a VR headset with an improved controller comparable to the Oculus Touch that will connect with a single wire. Everything about it will be far superior to the previous PSVR, with an enhanced display and more advanced tracking.

However, the previous PSVR will operate on PS5, but you will want an additional PS4 camera adapter. These can be obtained through Sony Support or in the box of new PSVR bundles.

Storage Options

These extra features are most effectively used after game studios upgrade their games to support PS4 Pro. There are just a few hundred titles explicitly built for the console, including well-known series such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Call of Duty, as well as Sony exclusives such as God of War as well as Horizon: Zero Dawn. Sony PS4 Pro employs a “Boost Mode,” which typically boosts frame rate and overall performance for games that aren’t officially supported.

Gamers with the PlayStation VR virtual reality system will enjoy a better experience with the PS4 Pro. The device’s greater frame rate and resolution aid the user’s immersion in virtual reality.

It is also possible to increase the console storage later on using an external hard drive, but check our tutorial first to ensure that the hard disk you choose is compatible with the console. To be consistent, it must have at least 250 GB of storage, a maximum capacity of 8 TB, and a USB 3.0 connection.

Prices

How much is a PlayStation 4? In the domestic market, console costs are incredibly high, and the PlayStation 4 is no exception. The PlayStation 4 Slim is more readily available in Sony’s “mega pack,” which includes the console and three more games for $360. Some bundles include titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, Spider-Man, Ghost of Tsushima, and Days Gone, ensuring the consumer gets a reasonable price.

Because the PS4 Pro is geared towards more demanding users, it is worth the user’s time to assess whether a PlayStation 5 (PS5) would be a wiser investment. Sony’s next-generation console allows for new games that the PS4 cannot run while being backward compatible with existing ones.

However, finding the PlayStation 4 in stock has grown increasingly difficult. When you do, the price is usually much higher than the MSRP. You’ll have to decide whether it’s worth paying $100 more for a console than it’s generally priced for. I would only pay $350 for a PS4 Slim.

If you can easily find a PS4 Pro price for less than $500, you should get it if you need a new system, especially since the Pro is no longer available. Consider acquiring a used or refurbished console, which will be substantially less expensive.

Limited Edition Consoles

The general look of your PS4 system should not be a final purchase decision, but it is something to think about. When Sony believes a game will be highly popular when released, a Limited Edition version of the console is usually right behind it. There are also some fascinating retro designs to choose from, such as a PS4 designed after the original PlayStation or a bright blue version with the iconic button arrangement on the side.

The one thing to remember about PS4 Limited Edition consoles is that they were nearly always created around the PS4 Pro. Because the Pro console has been discontinued, these will be exceedingly difficult to locate and only be accessible through third-party vendors.

PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which One Should I Choose?

One of the benefits of having several versions of game consoles is that it allows gamers to choose the quality of gaming experience that best suits their taste and expertise. It is evident that upgrading from the original PS4 to the PS4 Slim is not a good decision given the minor technical changes between the two, but having a Pro is one thing that will provide a superb gaming experience for anyone, especially when paired with a 4K HDR compatible TV or monitor.

On the subject of PS4 Slim versus PS4 Pro, there’s no doubt that the latter is a better option in terms of performance boost and overall supremacy, but don’t forget to pay for a 4K TV if you don’t already have one, since it rounds out the Pro package. A PS4 Slim, on the other hand, is okay because it also promises a fantastic gaming experience and can suffice if you are not willing to spend significant money on a console.

What about the PS5?

While they are siblings, the differences between the PS4 Pro and PS5 are night and day. Because the PS5’s SSD, GPU, and CPU are faster and more powerful than the PS4 Pro and can handle games that the PS4 Pro couldn’t even dream of, their controllers differ as well, with the DualSense outperforming the DualShock 4 due to adjustable triggers and enhanced haptic feedback. There’s also a PS5 Digital Edition with no disc drive.

	PS5	PS4 Pro
GPU	10.28 TFLOPS, 36 CUs @ 2.23 GHz Custom RDNA 2	4.2 TFLOPS, AMD Radeon
CPU	8x Cores @ 3.5GHz Custom Zen 2	8x cores @ 2.16 GHz Custom Jaguar
Memory	16GB GDDR6	8GB GDDR5
Memory bandwidth	448GB/s	176GB/s
Storage	825GB SSD	1TB HDD
Backward compatibility	Yes	No
PSVR support	Yes	Yes
Optical drive	4K UHD Blu-Ray drive	1080p HD Blu-Ray drive

You can get a PS5 right now, but stock is extremely limited. However, now that the PS4 Pro has been discontinued, the PS5 is a clear choice if you want a little more power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are PS4 and PS4 slim the same? Though not identical, both consoles are powered by the same GPU, CPU, and RAM and operate at the same level of features.

Which is better: PS4 Slim or PS4?

Among other things, the PS4 Pro outperforms the PS4 Slim by more than 30% in CPU and 100% in GPU.

Which is the better console, PS4 or Xbox One?

The PlayStation 4 has 8GB GDDR5 RAM compared to the Xbox One’s 8GB DDR3 RAM, and with greater native resolutions, the PS4 is undoubtedly the better gaming machine.

Is PS4 Slim backward compatible?

Because the PS4 is not backward compatible, you cannot play PS3, PS2, or PS1 disc-based games.

Can the PS4 support 4K discs?

The PS4 is not designed to play 4K Blu-ray discs, although it may be modified to do so. In addition, the PS4 Pro can stream 4K content but not play it from CDs.

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