PS4 Pro vs PS4 Slim – Which Should I Choose?

PS4 Pro vs PS4 Slim

Which one is better? PS4 Pro vs PS4 Slim? If you’re on the hunt for the newest PlayStation in the market, then you’re probably wondering which one of the PS4’s is the best console for you. While both are models of the PlayStation 4, each has its pros and cons. Some might find the PS4 Pro better while some might find the PS4 Slim the more practical choice. So which one is it? Read on to know more. 

The Birth of PS4 Pro

The Birth of PS4 Pro

If you’ve been following PlayStation for quite some time now and are familiar with their products, then you know that it has never released a Pro version of any of its previous PlayStation models. Sure, there’s a PS3 Slim and PS3 Super Slim, but it never had a Pro version. 

For those of you who didn’t know, the premise for having Slim versions of the PlayStation is to mainly capture the other needs and preferences of the market. Taken from its name, Slim versions of the PlayStation are a lot thinner in width and smaller in size. 

Going back, why is there a PS4 Pro? The main reason behind another PS4 version is 4K TV. When PS4 was released, 4K TV was just starting to gain traction in the market. By 2016, it was so popular that Sony ended up creating another version of the PS4 to accommodate this huge demand in 4K TV. 

What is 4K TV?

You’ll be reading a lot about 4K TV here, so it’s best to know what it is and what the hype is all about. First of all, 4K TV refers to the 4K resolution. This means that the TV has 3840 x 2160 pixels. When it comes to resolutions, the more pixels, the better. 

Compared to HD TVs, which are already considered high-quality, 4K TV pushes it even higher by giving Ultra-HD effects. The latter gives a more realistic image than your regular HD TV. 

PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim - What’s the Difference?

PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim - What’s the Difference

Now that you know why the PS4 was born in the first place, it’s time to compare the two PlayStation 4 versions side by side. 

  1. CPU and GPU

The CPU of the PS4 Slim is an AMD Jaguar 8-core. It has the same CPU as the PS4 Pro, so you can expect the same processing power. However, they are different in terms of speed. PS4 Slim has a lower speed, 1.6 GHz while the PS4 Pro has a higher speed at 2.1 GHz. 

Normally, you would want the fastest processor, but in this case, the change is not as big so you can still find the PS4 a good choice.

  1. Storage

For obvious reasons, the PS4 Slim has a lower storage capacity. It starts at 500 GB but it can also be bought at 1 TB. For the PS4 Pro, it automatically has 1 TB of storage. If your games take up a lot of space, you would be more comfortable having 1 TB of storage. 

  1. Size and Weight

By just looking at the boxes, you will see that the PS4 Slim has a smaller footprint. It has dimensions of 10.43 x 11.34 x 1.54 inches. On the other hand, the PS4 Pro is thicker and bulkier at 11.61 x 12.87 x 2.17 inches. Of course, the latter is a lot heavier too, almost twice as heavy as the PS4 Slim. Although you won’t be carrying your console around, you might consider the size and weight in identifying if the PS4 Pro can fit in your current TV setup. 

  1. Power Consumption

Lastly, you have the power consumption. The PS4 Slim uses less energy overall which only maxes out at 165W. This is good news for parents because the electricity bill won’t shoot up as much. It’s also a great way to reduce the energy consumption especially if your kid tends to leave the PS4 turned on. Unfortunately, this can’t be said for the PS4 Pro because it uses a maximum of 310W. 

Which Should You Get?

Which Should You Get

The real question here is, what should you get? When you already know the differences in specs between the PS4 Pro and the PS4 Slim, it’s time to decide on what to buy. Here are some factors that will help you make the right decision. 

  1. Budget

If you are on a tight budget, the first thing you want to know is the price. How much does it cost to buy a PS4 Pro? How affordable is the PS4 Slim? Fortunately, the PS4 Slim is as low as $299. It’s about the same price as the original PS4. For obvious reasons, the PS4 Pro is more expensive. It costs $399. 

When thinking about the price, you often ask which one will be the most cost-effective. You’d be amazed at how the lowest is not always the best. In the case of the PS4 Slim, it is cheaper for a reason and that’s because it can’t display in 4K. If you plan to use a 4K TV, then you can’t say you saved money by buying a PS4 Slim because later on, you’d end up buying a PS4 Pro to match the specs of your TV. 

In short, the PS4 Slim is more affordable but it also has a lower definition than PS4 Pro. 

  1. Performance

By now, you’re already aware that the PS4 Pro’s most unique feature is the 4K TV compatibility. But how does it fare in terms of performance? 

The more powerful GPU will help a lot in terms of handling 4K gaming. However, that’s just about it. Despite its 4K TV feature, the PS4 Pro does not entirely run most games in native 4K. This is because there aren’t even a lot of games in native 4K in the first place. A lot of demanding games run at around 3200 x 1200 pixels which is not 4K. 

The lack of native 4K games is not because 4K TV has no appeal. Rather, it’s just so expensive to create a game that has 4K resolution. The game itself won’t even render that smoothly to make all the costs worth it. To work around this problem, game companies convert their games to 4K instead. Don’t worry, the difference is not so obvious. To the untrained eye, you won’t even notice that the game isn’t native 4K. 

  1. 4K TV Availability

Of course, if you are leaning towards buying a PS4 Pro, then it’s highly recommended that you buy a 4K TV, too. If you don’t, then you will waste the PS4 Pro’s most important feature. 

This is where a lot of people draw the line. Think about it - if you want a PS4 Pro but don’t have a 4K TV, then you have to buy the TV, too. That’s a lot of expense in just two purchases. Sure, it’s not a problem if you love the PS4 Pro but then again, you have to consider budget, performance, and the games you wish to play on it. 

On the other hand, if you don’t have a 4K TV, don’t sweat it. You can always go for the PS4 Slim.

  1. Virtual Reality
ps4 pro vs ps4 slim vr gaming

There’s a new kid on the block that takes your gaming experience to a different level. That’s VR or virtual reality. You know, those large eye frames that you wear to feel like you’re actually in the game. Sony has its own VR counterpart named PlayStation VR. It’s Sony’s own VR headset that is relatively more affordable than the other VR manufacturers in the market

When it comes to running VR, you’ll be happy to know that both PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro support VR. Starting from PS4, all of Sony’s consoles can run VR. However, when it comes to performance, the PS4 Pro is still better in terms of graphics. Nonetheless, the graphics won’t be that bad in PS4 Slim either, so it’s only a matter of preference at this point. 

  1. Games

What about the games? Are there games that are only compatible with PS4 Pro? Fortunately, no. All of the games that are available for PS4 Pro can be played in PS4 Slim and PS4. There will be slight differences in the performance and the graphics, but other than that, there aren’t any games that stand out that are specific for PS4 Pro. At least, there’s none in the market yet or Sony doesn’t intend to produce this kind of exclusivity. 

Conclusion

In the end, the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro have a lot of similarities than differences. Both can play the same games, both have a powerful CPU, and both can handle VR. However, if you intend to buy or you already have a 4K TV, then buying a PS4 Pro to complement it will be a good idea. If you’re on a tight budget, don’t want to upgrade to 4K TV, and you want a more lightweight console, then the PS4 Slim is for you. 

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