Should You Buy a PlayStation 4 in 2026? Absolutely.

As an avid gamer myself, I get asked this question a lot by friends and family who are looking to get into gaming. My answer? A resounding yes! Despite being almost 10 years old, the PlayStation 4 absolutely remains a fantastic purchase in 2024 for budget-focused gamers or those new to PlayStation.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain why the PS4 is still worth buying, examine how it stacks up to the new PS5, provide purchasing advice, and share some of my personal experiences to illustrate why the PS4 can still deliver an amazing gaming experience even in the new generation of consoles.

The PlayStation 4 Stands the Test of Time

Since launching in 2013, the PlayStation 4 has cemented itself as one of the most popular and best-selling consoles ever made. Here are some key statistics that showcase the PS4‘s dominance:

• 117.2 million – Total PS4s sold as of January 2022, making it the 5th highest selling console ever behind only the PS2, Nintendo DS, Game Boy, and PlayStation 1 (source)

• Over 1 billion – PS4 games sold as of 2019, including massive hits like Spiderman (13.2M copies), God of War (11M copies), and The Last of Us Remastered (10M copies) (source)

• 104 million – Monthly active PS4 users still reported as of October 2022, showing the console remains widely used (source)

• $1.6 billion – Revenue generated by PlayStation Network on PS4 in Q4 2021 alone, indicating a strong digital game market exists (source)

Given these remarkable figures, it‘s clear the PS4 has tremendous staying power even nearly a decade into its lifecycle. This viral vintage product still has lots of game left!

How Does the PlayStation 4 Stack Up to the PS5?

As Sony‘s newest generation console, the PS5 obviously has more powerful specs and capabilities than the aging PlayStation 4. But how much better is it really? And are the improvements worth upgrading right away?

Comparing their core specs shows the advancements Sony made with the PS5:

This translates to 2-3x better processing speeds, 2.5x faster rendering, and 4x the memory bandwidth. Big generational leaps!

But how do these specs impact real world gaming performance? Digital Foundry conducted extensive analyses comparing games across both consoles. Here‘s what they found (source):

• Frame Rates – PS5 runs PS4 games at 60fps vs 30fps cap on PS4. Huge fluidity upgrade!

• Load Times – Up to 6x faster load times on PS5. Games like God of War drop from 40 sec loads down to 7 sec.

• Resolution – PS4 caps at 1080p. PS5 can run PS4 games at 4K via upscaling. Much sharper image quality.

So while the PS5 certainly runs legacy PS4 games better, is this enough of a boost to warrant upgrading right away? Not necessarily!

Many current PS4 owners like myself are perfectly satisfied with the performance we still get on our PS4s. While 4K and faster load times are nice, responsive 30fps gameplay at 1080p is still very playable for casual gaming. Upgrading to PS5 can definitely wait in my opinion!

The PlayStation 4‘s Game Library Stands the Test of Time

With over 7000 games released, the PS4 has perhaps the deepest and most diverse game library ever. Nearly all major multiplatform games still get PS4 releases, and the console gives you access to countless critically acclaimed PlayStation exclusives.

Here are just a few of my favorite PS4 games that still look and play phenomenally today:

• God of War (2018) – Arguably the PS4‘s best game. An emotional story paired with visceral combat. Stunning visuals that hold up perfectly fine at 30fps and 1080p/4K via PS4 Pro enhancements.

• Marvel‘s Spider-Man – Does this game really need an introduction? Who doesn‘t want to swing around NYC as Spidey? Even more fun on PS5 at 60fps!

• Bloodborne – FromSoftware‘s gothic masterpiece. Nightmarish enemies and punishing combat that keeps you coming back. No frame rate dips here.

• Persona 5 Royal – Stylish anime graphics that pop on the PS4. An engaging high school meets supernatural thriller story with depth.

• Uncharted 4 – Cinematic action adventure that caps off Nathan Drake‘s story with big set pieces and locales. A technical showpiece.

And the hits keep coming! Highly anticipated exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok and Final Fantasy XVI are still slated for PS4 release later this year. Despite being at the end of its lifecycle, PS4 continues to get support.

Between the deep back catalogue and new releases, a PS4 gives you access to more incredible games than you‘ll ever have time to play!

The PS4 Provides an Affordable Entry Point to PlayStation Gaming

For many gamers, price and availability are major factors when choosing a console. The PS4 shines in both areas, especially compared to the scarce PS5.

You can easily find a used PS4 for $150-$200 these days on eBay, Facebook Marketplace or from local sellers. That‘s an amazing value when you consider a new PS4 Pro still launched for $399 just back in 2016!

When it comes to games, the PS4‘s immense library means you can build up an instant collection without breaking the bank:

• PlayStation Hits – Sony‘s lineup of acclaimed PS4 games available for $9.99 new. Titles like God of War III Remastered, Mortal Kombat X, and Uncharted 4.

• PlayStation Store Sales – Frequent digital sales offer popular games for 50-75% off. I‘ve scored games like Horizon Zero Dawn for under $10 during sales!

• Buy/Sell Used Games – Sites like Glyde let you buy/sell used PS4 games for reasonable prices. Sold copies of The Last of Us for $12.

Between the used market and frequent sales, you can build up an incredible PS4 library without spending more than $15-20 per game. That‘s outstanding value given the quality.

Additionally, the PS4 has reached complete maturity as a platform. All hardware bugs have long been addressed, so buying a used console is extremely reliable. This peace of mind is another advantage of opting for the PS4 over a new unproven system.

What Are the Downsides to Purchasing a PS4 Now?

I‘ll be the first to admit the PS4 isn‘t perfect though. There are some definite tradeoffs to weigh:

• Lack of 4K gaming – If you have a fancy new 4KTV, the PS4 won‘t take full advantage of it. Though the PS4 Pro can upscale to 4K.

• Reduced support down the road – How long until new releases drop PS4 support? This will happen eventually as developers focus on current-gen only. Mileage may vary.

• No access to PS5 exclusives – You‘ll miss out on exclusives not cross-gen like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and the upcoming Wolverine game.

• Online community shifts to PS5 – As more migrate to PS5, the bulk of the PlayStation online community will shift. PS4 lobbies may shrink.

For me, the plentiful pros still far outweigh these limitations. But they are factors to consider depending on your priorities and gaming habits.

Used PlayStation 4 – What to Check for When Buying Secondhand

Since the PS4 is readily available used, buying secondhand can be a smart move if you shop carefully:

• Test thoroughly – Check all buttons, ports, and features when you meet up. Make sure controllers pair properly.

• Inspect condition – Look for signs of damage or heavy wear/tear. Pay less for rougher condition.

• Ask about maintenance – See if they opened and cleaned out dust regularly. Good maintenance means longer lifespan.

• Factor in cosmetics – Limited edition or special color consoles can command higher prices if in new condition.

• Compare prices – Reference eBay/GameStop prices for a fair valuation based on model, storage size, and bundled items.

• Consider warranties – Some used retailers like GameStop offer refurbished units with limited warranties for better peace of mind.

I like to inspect thoroughly and test everything prior to purchase. This gives me confidence in the used hardware. Purchased my PS4 Pro used on Craigslist 3 years ago and haven‘t had any issues.

PlayStation 4 Accessories That Enhance Your Experience

One advantage of the PS4‘s maturity are all the great accessories available to enhance your experience:

• PlayStation VR – Does your PS4 library need more life? VR takes it to the next level with immersive experiences like Beat Saber and Resident Evil VII in first person. Such a game changer!

• PlayStation Plus – Online multiplayer, free monthly games, and exclusive discounts. At ~$40/year it more than pays for itself.

• DualShock 4 Controllers – Never have too many controllers for local multiplayer sessions. Scuf controllers add customizable paddles.

• External SSD – Load times still got you down? Adding an external SSD over USB 3.0 nearly matches PS5 speeds for a fraction of the price!

• Charging Station – No need to fret about battery life with a dock. Charges two controllers at once. Nyko makes a great one.

• PS4 Slim Vertical Stand – Save shelf space and show off your PS4 with a vertical stand. Improves ventilation and cooling too!

Part of the fun with an established console is all the add-ons available for enhancing your experience. The PS4 has a ton of great accessory options to look into.

Should You Buy a PS4 in 2024? My Definitive Verdict

Hopefully this deep dive has shown that the PlayStation 4 absolutely still remains a worthwhile purchase in 2024 and into the foreseeable future.

For budget-focused gamers, families looking for an affordable entry point, or casual players, the PS4 is a perfect choice. The combination of an enormous game catalog, super cheap game and console prices, and reliability as a mature platform make the PS4 a winner for value.

More hardcore players focused on 4K gaming, next-gen performance, or playing the latest PS5 exclusives will want to wait for Sony‘s new console. But for everyone else, the PS4 delivers everything you could want in a gaming system for an amazing price.

I know my PS4 Pro will continue ruling my living room for years to come thanks to the timeless library of PlayStation classics old and new. Sony really knocked it out of the park by creating a console generation that stands the test of time.