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PS4 vs PS4 Pro – what’s the difference?

Have you thought about which console is better, PS4 vs PS4 Pro? If you are one of those people who don’t see the difference between these two models, then you have come to the right page! In this article, we are going to compare PS4 Pro and PS4 to determine which one is better.  

PS4 vs PS4 Pro – Which one to buy?

If you think that the only difference between these consoles is appearance, you are wrong. Although they look similar, there are different components under the hood that provide different gaming experiences. If you are not sure which model can meet your expectations, check out the table below. To fully understand the specifications, read the entire article.

VersionPS4 ProPS4
CPUAMD Jaguar 2.1GHzAMD Jaguar 1.6GHz
GPU AMD Radeon (4.2 TFLOP)AMD Radeon (1.84 TFLOP)
4K ResolutionYesNo
Audio optical outputYesNo
PortsHDMI 2.0HDMI 1.4
USB3 x USB 3.1 2 x USB 3.1 
Memory8GB GDDR5 + 1GB DDR38GB GDDR5
HDD1TB 500GB (upgradable to 1TB)
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0Bluetooth 4.0
WiFi802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5.0GHz)802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5.0GHz)
PriceCheck Price on AmazonCheck Price on Amazon

PS4 Pro

Pros:

  • 4K resolution
  • HDMI 2.0 and an optical audio output
  • Additional memory
  • Boost mode 

Cons

  • Design
  • Price

PS4

Pros:

  • Design 
  • Price
  • Ability to upgrade storage
  • Good graphic performance

Cons

  • Lacking boost mode
  • 4K resolution not supported

Features Face to Face

Appearance

Both models are made of slightly dappled black plastic. Overall, the plastic doesn’t look appealing since it attracts dust, which can be very visible since the devices are black. So, if you don’t tolerate dust, you will have to clean your console often.

PS4 vs PS4 Pro
PS4 on the left and PS4 Pro on the right

If you look at the picture above, you may notice a big difference between these two models. This is because the PS4 has two plastic layers, while the PS4 Pro has an additional layer. So, it looks thicker compared to the PS4. 

To be consistent, Sony decided to place the Playstation logo in the middle of the upper part of the devices. The PS4 Pro has an led light string on the front side that indicates whether the console is turned off or turned on. 

The PS4 dimensions are approximately 265×39×288mm and it weighs around 2.1kg. The PS4 Pro weighs around 3.3kg and its dimensions are approximately 295×55×327mm. 

To conclude, the PS4 Pro is a little bit bigger and heavier. It might not seem much at first glance, but it is significantly bigger. So, if you want to buy the PS4 Pro, you will need more space. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more sophisticated design, the PS4 might be a better solution for you. 

Winner: PS4 

Storage 

Storage is essential when it comes to playing the latest video games. Every new game has more gigabytes, so you have to consider that when buying a new console.

The PS4 comes with 500GB of storage space, which can be upgraded to 1TB. On the other hand, the PS4 Pro comes with 1TB of storage space. So, if you don’t want to waste your time thinking about whether you will have enough memory for your favorite game, the PS4 Pro might be a better choice for you. 

Winner: PS4 Pro

Power Consumption

Surprisingly or not, the PS4 Pro uses more energy than the PS4 version. The PS4 uses a maximum of 165 W, while the PS4 Pro uses a maximum of 310 W. If you frequently play games and want to cut down the electricity bill, the PS4 is the better option. 

Winner: PS4 

USB and other Connections

Both the PS4 and PS4 Pro support USB 3.1. The only difference is the number of ports. The PS4 has two ports, and the PS4 Pro has one additional port. 

PS4 Pro Ports
PS4 Pro Ports

Both models support the WiFi connection 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz, as well as Bluetooth 4.0. The same applies with the HDMI output. The PS4 features HDMI 1.4, while the PS4 Pro has HDMI 2.0. 

Additionally, the PS4 Pro has optical audio out. So, if you want to enjoy high-quality sound on an external sound system, the PS4 Pro could be the perfect choice for you!

Winner: PS4 Pro

WiFi

If you are not a fan of cables, both consoles allow connection to a WiFi router. The process of connecting to the router is simple. Go to Settings, Network, and choose Set Up Internet Connection. The only thing left is to enter your credentials.

PS4 Set up Internet Connection
PS4 Set up Internet Connection

However, you have to be aware that this type of connection can slow down the internet. If you place the console away from the router, the connection can become unstable. Also, walls and other physical obstacles can make your connection even worse. 

To avoid connection problems, you can place the console near the router or use a wired connection. However, since both devices support the same type of Wi-Fi, there is no clear winner in this segment. 

Winner: Draw

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is crucial when it comes to external devices. For instance, the Dualshock 4 wireless controller uses this type of connection. Besides wireless controllers, you can connect various devices to your console such as smartphones, headsets, mice, keyboards, etc. 

The connection process is simple. Go to Settings, Devices, and choose Bluetooth devices. When you select this option, your console will automatically search for all nearby devices. 

Unfortunately, not all Bluetooth devices are compatible with the console. For instance, if you want to connect Bluetooth headphones to your console, they need to support Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). 

Therefore, whether you have PS4 Pro or PS4, it is recommended to read the specifications of the product you want to buy to ensure it is compatible with the console.   

Winner: Draw   

Memory

There is not much difference between these two when it comes to memory. Both versions have 8GB GDDR5, but the PS4 Pro has an additional 1GB of memory for the so-called non-game apps, such as Netflix. 

The extra DRAM is much slower compared to the GDDR5 memory. The main goal of the additional memory is to speed up the process of switching between apps and games.

For instance, when you turn off the Netflix app, all application data will be stored in DRAM memory instead of GDDR5. Keeping this in mind, you will have 1GB of additional GDDR5 memory for gaming. So, if you want to install and use popular applications, consider the PS4 Pro, which might be a great console for you.  

Winner: PS4 Pro

Resolution Capabilities

4K (2160p)

The PS4 Pro supports 4K resolution, unlike the standard PS4, which supports only Full HD 1080p resolution. This is maybe the biggest reason to choose the PS4 Pro version over the PS4. You can play games or watch Netflix content at the highest resolution. 

But there are a few exceptions. Many games will work at 4K resolution perfectly. However, the majority of the most demanding games won’t. This is because rendering games at such a high resolution is very challenging, even with the built-in power of the PS4 Pro.

So, your PS4 Pro console will occasionally run games near 4K resolution. Still, this is a significant improvement when compared to the 1080p resolution. 

PS4 vs PS4 Pro comparison
The Last Of Us: PS4 vs PS4 Pro comparison

Additionally, if you own a 4K TV that supports HDR, you can see better, clearer, and more vivid colors. It is important to emphasize that you don’t need to have a 4K HDR TV to use the PS4 Pro, but it is recommended. 

Some games have better graphics on 1080p TVs, but not all games have this ability. Therefore, if you want to raise the gaming experience to a higher level, getting yourself a 4K HDR TV might be a good idea

Winner: PS4 Pro

1080p

One of the most significant differences between these two consoles is that the PS4 Pro has a GPU twice as powerful as the PS4 version’s GPU.

In other words, all PS4 games which are struggling to keep the high number of fps (frames per second) should have a stable 60 fps on the PS4 Pro. This stronger GPU also delivers a high-quality 1080p resolution compared to the PS4. Of course, you need to have at least a FullHD TV to enjoy all the PS4 Pro benefits. 

Winner: PS4 Pro

Internals

CPU

PC and laptop users are always worried about whether their configuration will be strong enough to run the latest video games. When a game finally comes out, they need to test their computer to see if it can run the game on high or medium resolution. 

So, they need to think about processors, RAM, cooler systems, and many other components that can affect the gaming experience. This is not the case with either the PS4 Pro or PS4. 

PS4 internal components
PS4 internal components

All Playstation games are perfectly optimized, so you don’t need to think about whether you will be able to play your favorite game. So, if you want to buy a gaming device but don’t want to constantly think about internal components, consider investing in one of these consoles.

However, some people want to know which PS4 component brings them such a great gaming experience? A processor, without a doubt, is the most important thing when it comes to playing video games. 

Both the PS4 and PS4 Pro feature the same AMD Jaguar processor. The processor has 8 physical cores, which is more than enough to have a great gaming experience. For instance, today’s processors tend to have fewer cores but more threads. Keeping that in mind, these processors are great for gaming. The more cores you have, the better!  

The only difference between these two processors is speed. The PS4 Pro CPU’s speed is 2.1GHz, while the PS4 CPU’s speed is 1.6GHz. This slight difference in CPU speed does not make a significant impact. You may not even notice the difference when playing games. 

Winner: PS4 Pro

GPU

Perhaps the biggest difference between these two consoles is the graphics resolutions. The PS4 runs on HD. Additionally, the PS4 Pro can also run on 4K resolution. The PS4 Pro features the AMD Radeon (4.2 TFLOP) GPU, and the PS4 comes with the AMD Radeon (1.84 TFLOP) GPU. 

TFLOP is a unit for measuring computer performance, similar to horsepower for car engines. So, TFLOP or teraflop indicates how many trillion floating-point operations per second a computer can process? For example, if a GPU has 7 teraflops, it means it can process 7 trillion floating-point operations in one second. So, the bigger the number, the better

Sony, the manufacturer, claims that the new PS4 Pro can work on 4.2 teraflops, meaning it has AMD Radeon that can process 4.2 teraflops. Therefore, when it comes to graphics, we can say that the new PS4 Pro is more than twice as strong as the original PS4. 

When it comes to games, we have to emphasize that you might not see a big difference in every game you play. It depends very much on the game developers and their intent. For example, some might raise the quality of the picture so that 4K TVs can show clearer and sharper images.

Some might use a more powerful PS4 Pro GPU to provide better light effects or textures and smoother transitions without hiccups. A lighter picture can show more details and stronger contrast between the colors, providing an overall better gaming experience. 

But you should be careful when watching online comparisons, for example, on YouTube. If you don’t own a 4K TV, you will probably not see a difference between the two. 

Winner: PS4 Pro

Performance

Boost Mode

The PS4 Update 4.50 provides the new Boost Mode option. If turned on, this option can significantly improve your gaming performance. Of course, you can’t expect to improve it from 1080p to 4K, but you will see a significant difference with improved frame rates, visuals, and overall performance. 

PS4 Boost Mode Settings
PS4 Boost Mode Settings

You can turn on this mode on both 4K TVs and HD TVs. Most games will run better with this feature turned on. Easy, just go to Settings, then System, and turn on Boost Mode with the X button. 

When you activate this option, you are allowing your console to use more of its resources. So, when activated, the Boost Mode simply raises the clock speed of your CPU or GPU, depending on the game. Some games rely more on CPU than GPU and vice versa.   

Since the PS4 Pro comes with more powerful components, turning on this option makes sense. You might notice a higher and stable frame rate and more fluidity while playing games.  

Some people worry about whether the Boost Mode can damage the PS4 Pro, but the answer is no. Boost mode does not impact overclocking since it uses already available resources to bring a higher gaming experience.  

The only thing you can experience is game lags since some games are not optimized for boost mode. In that case, it is recommended to turn the mode off. A small percentage of games won’t run as well with this mode turned on. On the other hand, a large number of games can run significantly better. 

GameFramerate Without Boost ModeFramerate With Boost Mode
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare50-60fps60fps stable
Call of Duty: Ghosts50-60fpsclose to 60fps
Battlefield 440-60fps50-60fps
Batman: Arkham Knight20-30fps  30fps stable
Tropico 545-60fps55-60fps
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 540-60fps50-60fps
Assassin’s Creed Unity15-30fpsclose to 30fps

As you can see in the table above, the Boost Mode brings higher and stable frame rates. Unfortunately, the PS4 doesn’t have this option since it is the PS4 Pro special feature. 

Winner: PS4 Pro 

Virtual Reality

If you want to experience virtual reality, you don’t need to have a 4K TV. You need to invest in a PlayStation 4 headset. When we compare the PS4 vs PS4 Pro in this segment, both consoles support virtual reality. However, the main question is which version provides a better VR experience? 

PS4 Pro is slightly better when it comes to playing VR games. In general, textures and rendering resolutions are slightly improved. These differences are difficult to notice and depend on the quality of the game. 

For most people, it is not necessary to invest extra money to enjoy VR. It is up to you to decide whether you will buy the PS4 Pro or PS4. 

Winner: PS4 Pro

Standout Features

Limited Edition Consoles

If you are a hard-core fan of a particular game, you can buy a limited edition console. These models usually have unique colors with special art related to a specific game. So, if you are a fan of the Last of Us, Spiderman, Death Stranding, or Uncharted 4, you can get a limited edition console. 

Spider Man PS4 Console
Spiderman PS4 Pro Limited Edition

Price

The launch price of the PS4 was $300, while the launch price of the PS4 Pro was $400. So, there is not a large gap between these two when it comes to price. 

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the PS4 Pro comes with more powerful components than the PS4. But the main question is – do you want to have all these PS4 Pro improved features?

It is also important to emphasize that there are no PS4 Pro exclusive games. So, games can be improved to be played on the PS4 Pro, but they will also be available for the PS4. Therefore, you can play all of the games on the PS4. 

The bottom line, it is not worth the upgrade if you own an HD TV. Until you decide to buy a 4K TV, maybe the better option is to stick with your PS4. However, if you own a 4K TV, you might want to consider upgrading to the PS4 Pro because it brings several benefits and a better gaming experience. 

If you don’t already own a console, you should opt for the PS4 Pro since the price difference is not that significant. If given a choice between the two, it is better to buy an improved version, regardless of the TV type you have.

Here are the final results of our PS4 vs PS4 Pro comparison: 

Get the PS4 if you

  • Have an HD TV and don’t plan on buying a new one
  • You prefer slimmer designs
  • You don’t want to spend additional money on a console
  • Want to have the option to play all PS4 game titles  

Get the PS4 Pro if you:

  • Have a 4K TV and want to play games in 4K
  • Want to use non-game apps
  • Don’t care about the size of the console
  • Want to try the Boost Mode
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About Nathan

Hello! I'm Nate. I work for an internet company during the week, so you'll probably see me on here jabbering about the internet and building websites, which is my main side hobby.

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