PS4 vs PS4 Pro

It is usually confusing when you are purchasing the PlayStation, and you come across multiple options to pick from. They do not look different; even their performance range appears to be the same, as both can run the same games. But why would Sony add Pro to a top-rated model of gaming consoles?

The similarity between the standard PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 4 Pro is unquestionable. But unless you have tried gaming on both consoles, you cannot feel the difference. The PS4 Pro is a new addition to the Sony PlayStation family. They have refined the hardware to render the graphics better than the previous console and made it capable of running at 4K and HDR. Though some people prefer calling the PS4 Pro the PS5, it is not that.

When the PS4 came out, it was the number one console chosen for gaming. It was impressively different from the previous version, PS3, and offered compatibility for many games. Indeed, Sony created it as an answer to Microsoft's Xbox. Nevertheless, it is a phenomenal pick for home gaming and even TV.

This review will mention all the differences between the PS4 and the PS4 Pro. These are based on their pricing, graphic performance, additional features, etc.

The biggest difference

Among all the differences, the graphics resolution is the biggest one. The PS4 is designed to operate at 1080p or more common HD graphics. On the other hand, the PS4 Pro is mastered to operate at 2160p, referred to as 4K. Soon after the 4K technology hit the market, game developers shifted their designs to the newer technology. In the coming future, all you will be able to play on PS4 are the older games that have not been updated to the newer resolution.

Most games are still not designed with the 4K resolution. It means they still have the 1080p graphics. The clarity results would not be different either if played on PS4 or PS4 Pro. To get clarity, a Pro-Mode or a Pro-Patch would be required. The patch adds the required enhancement details to the game, making it look different than when it is played on the PS4. However, not every developer will launch the game with a Pro-Patch.

Making the games perform at 4K would not only require the PS4 Pro, but they also require a 4K display. A 4K TV would be required to complete the game display enhancement option. So running the Pro on a standard TV with 1080p resolution would be pointless.

Performance Specs

There are more performance enhancements made on the PS4 Pro that make it more advanced than the PS4. First, it comes with the GPU, which has doubled in performance. The clock speed has jumped from 1.6 to 2.1 GHz, with the power jumping from 800 to 911 MHz. Although the processor is the same, improvements have been made to support the 4K. Additionally, the Wi-Fi has been updated from 802.11b/g/n to 802.11ac. Similarly, Bluetooth has jumped from 2.1 to 4.0. In the end, PS4 Pro features 1 GB of additional RAM to support the system with the boot and non-gaming features.

Connections and Drive

Another handy improvement on the PS4 Pro is the addition of a USB Port. The PS4 counts 2 USB 3.0 ports, while the PS4 Pro has three ports. An additional USB port is useful with VR as it requires a USB connection to run the headset. The remaining two ports already serve as the charging port for the controllers. Ahead of that, the HDMI has been updated from 1.4 to 2.0a.

This change was made for the 4K output. Many users with HDMI cables for the standard PS4 will question whether they will need a new cable for the PS4 Pro with HDMI 2.0a. As per Sony, this is not required as the same HDMI cable will work properly and bring the necessary results. Furthermore, an optical audio port is added to the PS4 Pro. It was planned for the original PS4 but was not included.

The Blu-ray drives are the same on both consoles. It is a standard Blu-ray with HD graphic resolution support instead of 4K. This would certainly appear like a catch on the PS4 Pro, which is deemed a 4K system, but its drive is not characterized for such performance. Indeed, this gives an advantage to the Microsoft Xbox series that offers the 4K Blu-ray disc drive.

Dimensions

It is not evident that improved hardware would require more space. But the PS4 Pro has received a slight increase in size and weight. The standard PS4 gets the space for the disc drive and other ports between the two layers of its structure. But the Pro gets an additional third layer, increasing nearly 0.79-inches in depth and width. Ahead of that, the weight has topped to 1lbs as well. If you've already set a particular location for the PS4 and are going to purchase the PS4 Pro, you would need to make a little more space to get it to fit easily.

Price Differences

On a regular chart, the PS4 would cost around $260, while for the improved version, you need 90-100 dollars more. The pricing is not very different, but if you have a modern smart TV with a 4K display at home, why not go with the PS4 Pro? It would indeed be a special treat to have one when you have the requisite power. If 4k is not so important to you, then indeed, the PS4 is the best deal.

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