Is the PS4 Pro Still Worth It in 2026? A Resounding ‘Yes‘ for First-Time PS4 Buyers
As an avid PlayStation enthusiast, one question I get asked a lot these days is – "Is the PS4 Pro worth buying in 2024?" With the PS5 capturing the spotlight, it‘s natural to wonder if now is the right time to invest in Sony‘s previous powerhouse console.
After extensively using all PlayStation systems, my opinion is clear – the PS4 Pro remains 100% worth it in 2024, especially for first-time PS4 buyers. Let‘s dive deeper on why:
Unmatched Visuals and Performance for the Price
Make no mistake, the PS4 Pro still delivers a superb gaming experience in 2024. Here are some key tech specs and improvements over the base PS4:
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Native 4K Resolution – With 4K upscaling, games are displayed at a crisp 3840 × 2160 pixels, 4x more than 1080p. This level of visual detail is stunning.
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Significantly Higher FPS – The PS4 Pro GPU pushes 35-60% higher framerates in games like Ghost of Tsushima (60FPS vs 30FPS) and God of War (60FPS vs 45FPS). Smoother gameplay is transformative.
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HDR Support – With advanced TVs, High Dynamic Range enables far more vivid colors and vibrance. HDR is especially impressive in colorful open-world games like Horizon Forbidden West.
| Visual Capability | PS4 | PS4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | 4K |
| Framerate | 30-45 FPS | 45-60+ FPS |
| HDR | No | Yes |
It‘s incredible that this level of performance can be purchased today for around $250 for a refurbished PS4 Pro. Compared to 1996 when the PS1 launched for $299, that‘s a great value.
Optimized to Run New Games Through 2025
Another big advantage of the PS4 Pro is you can play all major PlayStation releases for at least the next 2 years.
Sony has stated they will continue making games for PS4 through 2025. Major 2023 titles like Final Fantasy 16, Assassin‘s Creed Mirage and Street Fighter 6 are all coming to PS4 too.
The PS4 Pro‘s enhanced hardware helps these new cross-gen games run even better. I‘m thrilled to experience these highly anticipated titles on my PS4 Pro soon.
And once you eventually get a PS5 down the road, you can bring your entire PS4 game library and earn trophies seamlessly forward.
Unlock the Full PlayStation Ecosystem
Beyond power, the PS4 Pro opens the door to Sony‘s entire connected ecosystem:
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PlayStation Plus – Online multiplayer, monthly free games, exclusive discounts and cloud storage. This service has given me over $1000 in free games alone.
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PlayStation Now – A Netflix-style library of streamable PS2, PS3 and PS4 games. Great for trying classics you missed.
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PS Store Sales – Frequent digital sales with PS4 games discounted up to 75% off. I never buy games full price.
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Social Features – Chat parties, trophies, activity feeds and broadcasting gameplay live on Twitch or YouTube. PlayStation facilitates connections.
The value of this ecosystem lasts even after upgrading from PS4. The network effects are a key reason I‘ve been a PlayStation gamer for over 20 years.
My Personal Recommendation as a PS Devotee
As someone who has bought every PlayStation console at launch, I can‘t recommend diving into this generation enough in 2024.
The PS4 Pro fully delivers the legendary PlayStation experience – sensational exclusives like God of War, Spiderman and The Last of Us, deep immersive worlds to get lost in, and vibrant community engagement.
With over 4000 games released, there‘s never been a better time to mine the deep riches of the PS4 catalog. Excellent deals can now be found as well.
Trust me, you‘ll treasure finally joining the PlayStation family and wonder why you didn‘t do it sooner!
If you have any other questions about getting started with the PS4 Pro, please ask them in the comments below! I‘m always happy to help fellow gamers get the most out of PlayStation.