Is it Worth Getting a PS4 Pro?

The PS4 Pro is an upgraded version of the original PS4 console with improved hardware that allows for 4K gaming and streaming. If you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience, then the PS4 Pro is worth considering. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Pro is not a necessary upgrade if you’re happy with your current PS4 console.

The PS4 Pro is a very peculiar console; the question of whether it is worth it or not depends solely on two situations. Do you already have a PS4 and want to upgrade, or do you not have one and you want to know whether or not to go for the PS4 Pro over the PS5?

If you fall in the Category of already having a PS4 and thinking about getting a PS4 pro? I would say you shouldn’t get the PS4 Pro because I think if you want to upgrade your PS4, you should get the PS5 outright. I agree that there are some performance boosts that come with the PS4 Pro, but they aren’t substantial enough to warrant the switch from the PS4 to the Pro version.

Especially if you consider that the only way to maximise the full potential of the PS4 Pro would require you to get a 4K TV. However, if you already have a 4K TV, then the switch to a PS4 Pro would seem logical, but I would still suggest that you should wait and go for the PS5 because the PS5 is still the more superior console, and you would still be able to play all of the latest games that are releasing on your standard PS4 console, even though they may not look as sharp and as detailed as they would on the PS4 Pro.

However, there is one big caveat about getting a PS5 right now, and that is down to the chip shortages, price hikes and scalpers, making the availability of the PS5 very scarce. The PS5 is really hard to come by right now, and that is posing a real problem for a lot of gamers who want to get a PS5 but are finding it hard to get one.

So, this is where the PS4 Pro comes in; if you are in the market for getting a PS5 and you are finding it hard to do so, then you can go for a PS4 Pro because it still gives you an incredible performance boost, better graphics and stunning visuals as well as solid 4K stable FPS performance. Even though it is not as good as the PS5, you wouldn’t be left with such a wide margin between the performance of the PS5 and the PS4’s standard version. So, this might be the best time to go out and get a PS4 Pro because you know you should be future-proof for at least a few years.

If I’m being honest, the idea of getting a PS4 Pro right now is still very subjective, and it depends on a lot of factors. Things like can you afford one, do you already have a standard PS4, do you have a 4K TV, can you wait patiently for the situations around the PS5 to settle down, or do you just want to get a new console because your old one broke and still have a lot of games you play on it, should be the kinds of things you should consider before you decide on whether or not getting a PS4 Pro is worth it for you?

Performance

From a performance standpoint, the PS4 Pro that launched in 2016 had a lot of growing pains it had to undergo to become the incredible system that it is now. A few things had limited the performance of the PS4 Pro at launch that is no longer present in 2022.

When it came out in 2016, 4K TVs had just started to hit the mainstream, and a lot of people couldn’t get one. A 4K TV is still the only way to get the most out of your PS4 Pro, or you just be left playing a scaled-down 4K video game, which sort of defeats the purpose of having a PS4 Pro in the first place.

A lot of developers were not very familiar with the implementation process of how to get games running perfectly for 4k, and most games weren’t native 4K, and the variety of ways to implement 4K resolutions was also a definite drawback for developers.

However, that is not the case in 2022, developers have been able to get a handle on the multiple upscaling and 4K resolution rendering methods, and 4K TVs are no longer too expensive for most gamers.

Its 4K Performance

This is where the PS4 Pro excels; when used in conjunction with a 4K TV, older games experience significant performance improvements thanks to upscaling, and native 4K boosts. Particle effects fly off the screen, contrast ratios soar through the roof, and graphic fidelity in games like Infamous Second Son receives a significant boost.

While many games support 4K Pro mode, which upscales performance and boosts graphical fidelity, it is crucial to keep in mind that not all games release at native 4K resolutions. While this mode makes many games look stunning on 4K TVs, it still falls short of some of the best performance on high-end PCs, but it is still very impressive.

1080p Performance

The majority of Pro users would find playing games at 4K with HDR enabled to be the biggest draw. Not every player, however, may own a gleaming 4K HDR television. Sony has therefore improved the experience for players by using a method known as supersampling to present a scaled-down version of a 4K resolution on a 1080p display.

What are Some of the Pros and Cons of the PS4 Pro

Pros

4k HDR Console
1TB hard drive
Pro mode games look great

Cons

No 4k Blu-ray Drivers
Pro mode performance varies

Features

Some of the main features of the PS4 Pro are;

Resolution

The resolution of a game on an HDTV ranges from 1080p to 1440p.
Using improved upscaling methods, game resolution can be increased to nearly 4K.
On the PS4 Pro, certain games can output a native 2160p resolution.

Graphics

With better focus, distant background objects become more visible and detailed.
Images with rounded corners and other soft features appear more realistic and smooth.
Smoke and steam, for example, have a heavier appearance and a more authentic feel.
HDR improves game lighting, enhances colours, and brings screens closer to the full spectrum that the human eye can see.

Environmental Features

It is possible to create more realistic in-game textures and images, such as rust on metal and dirt on clothing.
PS4 Pro allows for sharper shadows and finer details at greater distances, adding depth and context to the image.
More intricate imagery can be displayed with more images on the screen at once.

Frame Rate Improvements

PS4 Pro generates more fluid-locked frame rates.
Faster targeted frame rates are generated by PS4 Pro.

The Bottom Line

Purchasing a PS4 Pro is entirely subjective, and it always depends on what you hope to gain from it. There are numerous factors to consider when determining whether or not a PS4 Pro is worthwhile.

However, one major consideration I believe you should consider when purchasing a PS4 Pro is that the PS5 shortage issues will not last forever. I already had the base model PS4, so getting a PS5 when it came out was always going to be a no-brainer.