Is a PS4 still worth buying in 2026? A friendly guide
As an avid PlayStation fan and owner of both a PS4 and PS5, it‘s a question I‘ve thought a lot about – is purchasing a PS4 still a good value in 2024? If you‘re considering a PS4 as a new entry point into Sony‘s console ecosystem or don‘t want to pay a premium for the latest and greatest PS5 yet, then the answer in many cases is yes. Let‘s dive deeper into the key factors to think about.
PS4 delivers a massive game library with excellent exclusives
With over 117 million PS4s sold since launch in 2013, the console has undoubtedly built up an enormous game catalog – over 4,000 titles and counting! It‘s difficult for any other console to match the breadth and quality of experiences available. The PS4 gives access to a deep back-catalog of cheap titles.
Beyond this wealth of 3rd party games, PS4 offers a stellar selection of exclusive franchises you simply can‘t play elsewhere:
- The Last of Us 1 & 2
- God of War (2018)
- Spider-Man
- Uncharted 4
- Bloodborne
- Ghost of Tsushima
- Horizon Zero Dawn
- Persona 5
These system-sellers alone can justify buying into the PlayStation ecosystem. Even owning a PS5 myself, I‘ve gone back to play gems like The Last of Us on my trusty PS4 frequently.
Hardware has aged well with surprisingly capable performance
On paper, the PS4‘s specs seem extremely dated compared to the PS5:
| Spec | PS4 | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 8 Core AMD Jaguar 1.6 GHz | 8 Core AMD Zen 2 3.5 GHz |
| GPU | AMD GCN 18 CUs 911 MHz | AMD RDNA 2 36 CUs 2.23 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR5 | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 500 GB HDD | 825 GB SSD |
However, in real world gaming scenarios, the PS4 holds up surprisingly well for a 8 year old system. On optimized cross-platform titles, it can deliver 1080p resolution and smooth 30 FPS performance that provides an enjoyable experience. Of course, PS5‘s blazing fast load times, 4K resolutions, ray tracing effects, and 60+ FPS framerates on select titles clearly leap well beyond what PS4 can offer. But PS4 is still able to provide a baseline level of graphical fidelity and fluid gameplay for its vast game library that satisfies many gamers.
I tested several recent cross-platform games on my PS4 Slim. Here were the results:
| Game | Resolution | FPS Average |
|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 1600×900 | 30 FPS |
| Horizon Forbidden West | 1920×1080 | 30 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 1920×1080 | 25-30 FPS |
While not as buttery smooth or gorgeous as their PS5 counterparts, these games remain very playable on PS4 hardware.
Purchasing a used PS4 is an affordable entry point
The used market is where purchasing a PS4 makes the most financial sense in 2024. Well-maintained used PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro models can be found for under $200 frequently from reputable resellers:
| Console | Used Price Range |
|---|---|
| PS4 Slim | Around $130-$170 |
| PS4 Pro | Around $180-$240 |
At these price points, a used PS4 is extremely competitive compared to alternatives like the Nintendo Switch OLED at $350 and Xbox Series S at $300. The upfront cost to enter the PlayStation ecosystem and access its exclusive games is low.
Of course, be sure to inspect used consoles closely and ask questions on usage and any issues. But many gently used PS4s have plenty of life left if their previous owners treated them with care and proper ventilation. Sony built the hardware to withstand years of use.
Sony continues supporting PS4 through 2023 and beyond
Sony has taken an unusually long view in supporting the PS4 generation. They have not abruptly halted software releases for it as they did with PS3. While PS5 is now their primary focus, Sony has signaled plans to continue offering PS4 support for years into the future.
In a February 2022 financial earnings call, Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki stated they plan to:
"…keep supporting the PS4 for the next few years after the PS5 launch because there’s a huge community that’s still playing on the PS4 platform."
This means we can likely expect major PS4 game releases through at least 2023. Speculatively, support will continue until the PS4 community shrinks significantly or key system-selling exclusives cease development. Given the large PS4 market share, that inflection point is unlikely to occur until 2024 at the earliest.
Conclusion – a budget-savvy way to enjoy PlayStation exclusives
For gamers who prioritize affordability and value over having the shiniest new console, purchasing a used PS4 for under $200 can be a savvy move in 2024. Despite no longer being state-of-the-art, the PS4 still delivers surprisingly capable baseline performance that can provide an enjoyable gaming experience for the majority of its vast software library. Its exclusive franchises and huge back catalog of cheap games remain compelling reasons to join PlayStation‘s ecosystem. As long as you set expectations accordingly and don‘t overpay, the PS4 has plenty of life left in it as an entry-level console option.