How long will PS4 be supported after PS5? Expect 3-4 More Years of Support Through 2023/2024

The PlayStation 5 launched in late 2020 as Sony‘s latest and greatest gaming console. But that doesn‘t mean they‘ve forgotten about the PlayStation 4. Sony has confirmed the PS4 will remain supported for 3-4 more years after the PS5 release. That means PS4 support will likely continue through 2023 or 2024.

Sony traditionally supports their consoles for around 5-6 years after the launch of a new generation. For example, the PlayStation 3 continued receiving system updates up until 2019 – about 5 years post-PS4 launch. The PS4 is on a similar trajectory, with several more years of support ahead.

Why PS4 Support Will Last

There are a few key reasons why the PS4 still has legs even after the PS5‘s arrival:

Huge Active PS4 User Base

As of January 2022, over 117 million PS4 consoles have been sold globally. In comparison, the PS5 has sold 20 million units so far. Here‘s a look at the worldwide PS4 and PS5 sales figures over time:

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With nearly 6 times as many PS4 owners as PS5 owners presently, it makes sense for Sony to keep the PS4 supported to continue profiting from this huge install base. Many PS4 gamers are still holding off on upgrading. PS4 support is expected to continue through at least 2023 based on projected sales trends.

Gradual PS4 to PS5 Transition

The transition from the PS4 generation to the PS5 generation is expected to be a gradual one, taking place over several years. Many major game releases over the next 2-3 years will launch on both PS4 and PS5. Some examples include:

• God of War: Ragnarok
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Dying Light 2
• Gotham Knights
• Hogwarts Legacy

Sony stated they believe dual-generation support during this transition period is important so gamers can upgrade to PS5 at their own pace without missing out on new games.

Huge PS4 Retail Game Library

Another benefit of the PS4 right now is its gigantic game catalog – over 4,000 titles in total between digital and physical releases. For gamers purchasing a new PS4 in 2024, this provides a huge backlog of quality games to play through while waiting to upgrade to PS5 years down the road.

The copious amount of PS4 titles means used game prices are low, so building a game collection is affordable. Sony‘s PlayStation Hits line offers many first-party exclusives for only $19.99 once they are a couple years old. When you buy a new PS4 now, the entire great library is open to you for cheap.

Should You Buy a PS4 in 2024?

Is purchasing a new PS4 in 2024 still a good idea? Here are some of the key considerations:

Pros of buying a PS4 now:

• Very affordable price ($299 for bundles)
• Huge game library & cheap used games
• Easy to find in stock (no supply constraints)
• Will remain supported for 3-4 more years

Cons/things to note:

• Limited future-proofing as PS5 takes over
• PS5 has better graphics and performance
• Some new releases will be PS5-only eventually
• May want to upgrade to PS5 within 2-3 years

Overall, the PS4 remains a smart budget choice for casual or first-time gamers. The low price point grants access to an enormous library spanning various genres. As a friend, I‘d recommend waiting for a PS5 if possible though.

Once the PS5 is readily available at retail and has some price drops (likely in 2024 per analysts), it will offer way better value. At that point, upgrading from PS4 to PS5 makes more sense than buying a new PS4. The PS5 truly delivers next-gen performance like 4K graphics that the PS4 can‘t match.

Here‘s a comparison of PS4 vs. PS5 hardware specifications:

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Conclusion

The PS4 is set to remain a viable console option for at least 2-3 more years until Sony phases it out. Support through 2023 or 2024 is expected thanks to its huge active user base and massive game catalog. For budget-conscious gamers or those new to PlayStation, buying a PS4 in 2024 makes sense. But waiting a year or two for PS5 availability and price drops is recommended for the best performance and future-proofing. Either way, the PS4 still has life left for new buyers to enjoy while the PS5 library expands over time.