Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro Review
The Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro is a mid-generation upgrade to the standard PS4, offering enhanced performance and improved visuals, making it an appealing option for gamers looking for a more immersive experience without jumping to the next-gen consoles like the PS5.
- Release Date: 10 November 2016.
- HDD Size: 1TB
- Price: £349 (GB) and $399 (US)
Design & Build
The PS4 Pro retains the overall sleek aesthetic of the standard PS4 but with a more substantial footprint due to the added hardware.
The three-tiered design is bulkier and slightly less elegant, but it manages to blend into most home setups. The matte black finish adds a premium feel, but it does attract dust and fingerprints easily.
Performance
The PS4 Pro’s most significant upgrade comes in its performance capabilities. It features a more powerful GPU, allowing games to run smoother and at higher resolutions.
When paired with a 4K TV, many games can take advantage of 4K upscaling and HDR support, leading to sharper visuals, richer colours, and improved overall graphical fidelity.
While not all games natively run in 4K, the PS4 Pro’s checkerboard rendering technique allows it to simulate 4K very effectively. Even on a 1080p display, the Pro offers super-sampling, which reduces aliasing and creates cleaner, crisper visuals.
Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro: What’s in the Box?
Besides the Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro itself, what else comes packaged in the box? You also get an HDMI cable, a USB cable, a mono headset, an AC power cord, and the new DualShock controller.
PS4 V PS4 Pro
In short, there is not too much difference between the two models. The size of the PS4 Pro is slightly bigger than its predecessor but this is marginal.
Imagine another small layer added to the top of the older PS4. Instead of the touch-sensitive buttons, the new model has physical switches, which gives a positive feel.
The Wi-Fi chipset is slightly more powerful, too, and a third USB3 socket is included.
Also, the PCU is now a speedier 8-core chip. However, for those who are wondering if they should upgrade, the answer would be no unless their monitor is 4K.
Sony’s DualShock controller
Also included with the new PS4 Pro is the DualShock 4 controller. In short, we first saw this come with the PS4 Slim. But it’s functionality is the same as the original hand-set.
The LED light has been moved to above the touch pad but this is purely cosmetic.
However, when playing a multi-player game, this can be useful as you can now see which character you are controlling.
Game Library
The PS4 Pro benefits from the vast library of PlayStation 4 games, all of which are compatible with the Pro. Some games, such as “God of War,” “Horizon Zero Dawn,” and “Spider-Man,” have been optimized specifically for the Pro to take advantage of its enhanced hardware. While the performance improvements are not as noticeable for every title, many games run at higher frame rates, providing a smoother and more responsive experience.
Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro: VR Compatibility
The PS4 Pro enhances the PlayStation VR experience as well. It delivers higher-quality visuals and more stable frame rates in VR games, making the immersive experience more enjoyable and comfortable for extended play sessions.
User Interface and Features
The PlayStation user interface remains intuitive and easy to navigate, with minimal lag even with the Pro’s boosted performance. Features like Remote Play and Share Play are seamless, and the integration with PlayStation Plus for cloud saves and free monthly games adds value.
Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro: Noise & Heat
One downside of the PS4 Pro is the noise. The fans can get quite loud during graphically demanding games or when running in 4K mode. Additionally, the console can run hot after extended gaming sessions, although it doesn’t seem to impact performance.
Pros
- 4K and HDR support for stunning visuals
- Better performance and smoother gameplay than the base PS4
- Vast game library with many titles enhanced for the Pro
- Enhanced VR performance
- Good value for gamers who don’t want to leap to next-gen yet
Cons
- Fans can get noisy under heavy load
- Bulkier design compared to the standard PS4
- No 4K Blu-ray support (unlike Xbox One X)
- Benefits less noticeable without a 4K TV
Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro: Verdict
Unless your television monitor is 4K, then we can’t see why you would wish to upgrade. Sure, there is slightly more power, but there is enough in the original PS4 for game play as it is. Of course, if you insist on keeping up with the new technology, you will go for it. However, we would recommend that you wait for a complete overhaul and a totally new Sony gaming machine to emerge.
The Sony PlayStation PS4 Pro is an excellent console for those who want enhanced visuals and smoother performance but aren’t ready to invest in the PS5 yet. While it doesn’t quite reach true 4K performance in all games, the improvements in resolution and frame rates make it a worthwhile upgrade for PS4 owners with a 4K TV. However, if you’re not gaming in 4K, the differences between the base PS4 and the Pro may be less significant.
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