Is the PlayStation 4 Pro Worth Buying?
Today Sony unveiled the next iteration of the PlayStation 4, calling it the PlayStation 4 Pro and is coming out this November. Originally codenamed the PlayStation Neo, the console will feature a faster processor, 4K video streaming, and better graphics on past and upcoming games which take advantage of the 4K capabilities of the console. But is this console worth upgrading to if you already have a PlayStation 4? Or if you’re in the market for a PlayStation 4, are the additional features worth the extra money the PS4 Pro will cost? We will explore the pros and cons of the PlayStation 4 Pro here and help you decide.
First, let’s lay out the pros and cons of the PlayStation 4 Pro.
Pros:
+4K Streaming of Video content from providers such as Netflix and Youtube.
+4K and HDR support for select games such as Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Call of Duty Infinite Warfare, and more.
+2.5 times better processor than the original PS4.
+Better Wifi which supports up to the ac wifi protocol.
Cons:
-Does not support 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray disc playback.
-Larger console size.
-Higher price point (+$100 MSRP).
Why You Should Buy the PlayStation 4 Pro
If you have a 4K capable TV with HDR (or plan on buying one sometime in the near future), and can afford buying a PS4 Pro, it may be a worthwhile investment to make especially if you want the best possible performance and graphics that a 4K/HDR enabled game has to offer. You should still be able to sell or trade in your original PS4 for $100 to $150, which you can use towards your purchase.
Also, if you want a console that will be relevant longer, buying a PlayStation 4 Pro now will ensure that you won’t have to buy something new again a year from now. Although all games made for the PlayStation 4 Pro will also be available on the original PlayStation 4, sooner or later the difference in performance between the same game on the two different consoles will be so vast you will want to upgrade. Games like Horizon: Zero Dawn and the new God of War will surely take advantage of the new features, giving the game the overall better experience.
Why You Should NOT Buy the PlayStation 4 Pro
To counter the statements made above, here are several reasons why you shouldn’t buy a PlayStation 4 Pro.
- The first and obvious reason is if you don’t have a 4K and/or HDR enabled TV, and don’t intend on buying one, then you won’t be able to use the PlayStation 4 Pro at it’s full potential.
- For existing PlayStation 4 owners, you will also be receiving a firmware update enabling HDR support for your console. The change from 1080p to 4K resolution may barely be noticeable to the untrained eye, but your games will still look amazing.
- If cost is an issue, you can expect some great deals on the standard PlayStation 4 and the newly announced PS4 Slim this holiday season which would be hard to resist.
- If Xbox One is your primary console and just want to get a PlayStation 4 for a few games here and there, you may be just fine with a standard PlayStation 4 or a PlayStation 4 slim for now.
- Casual gamers that don’t really care about having the best possible graphics on a game probably don’t need to get a PS4 Pro.
Finally, if you already have a PlayStation 4, or think you could wait another year, it would be curious to see if Sony comes out with a console to compete with the Xbox One Scorpio (out next year). The Xbox One Scorpio boasts a more powerful processor than the PS4 Pro, capable of native 4K gaming. It would be hard to believe that Sony isn’t hard at work making something to keep up with or blow away the competition.
The Final Word
To conclude, if PlayStation 4 is your primary console and you absolutely must have the latest and greatest gaming has to offer, then you should put your money down now and pre-order a PlayStation 4 Pro and start thinking about getting rid of your old console. There will be no better place to play Horizon: Zero Dawn, Call of Duty Infinite Warfare, and several other “forward compatible” games out now or coming out in the near future. Otherwise, the standard PlayStation 4 or the PS4 Slim is still an amazing console and it’ll be a year or two before a game comes along that absolutely needs to be played on the Pro.
The PlayStation 4 Pro releases Thursday, November 10, 2016 in the U.S. for $399.
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