Buying guide · NexWave Games
PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro: Which one should you buy?
You want a PlayStation 4, but the ads turn it into a contest: Slim here, Pro there, and everywhere is . Do you have to pay more for a Pro? The answer depends mainly on your TV, the games you play and the state of the console.
The same PS4 games, another image
A PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro use the same library of PS4 games. There's no separate stack of "Pro-only" games you miss with a Slim. The Pro has more powerful hardware and can offer higher resolution, more stable image frequency or additional graphic details in supported games. This varies per game and sometimes even per selected image mode. So don't expect any magic upgrade from any game.
Sony connects the Pro to 4K image on a suitable television. This does not mean that each game runs in native 4K; different games use their own techniques and settings. On a 1080p TV a Pro can still offer advantages with certain titles, but the difference is usually less obvious than on a large 4K TV.
Only the Pro HDR?
No. Both the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro support HDR when your TV and the used game do the same. The term HDR on an ad is therefore no reason to automatically choose a Pro. Prefer to check which resolution your TV has and search for your favorite game to support specific Pro enhancements.
The Slim is smaller and fits easily with a simple TV furniture. A Pro needs more space and can be more audible under heavy loads; with a used console sound and heat also depend on maintenance and dust. A video from the boot screen says little: ask for a short demonstration during a game.
What are you paying attention to in a second hand PS4?
Check if the disc drive loads a game, the HDMI port provides a stable image and the controller has no noticeably abnormal sticks. See if the fan functions normally during play and ask which cables, controller and storage space belong to the set. Do not compare bald Pro with a complete Smart including games as if it is the same offer.
Do you play on a Full HD screen, are the offers similar and do you just want to discover the PS4 catalogue? Then a decent Slim is often the easy choice. If you have a 4K TV and play your games with Pro support, then a well maintained Pro may be worth the extra price. A •Proposal on the box is less important than the condition of the device itself.
Choose your screen first, then your console
Ask yourself: do I see the difference in my own setup, and do I pay for a complete, working set? With these two questions, PS4 Slim versus Pro becomes a lot easier. Both give access to the same PS4 games; the Pro runs supported games sometimes more beautiful or smoother.