Should You Buy a PS4 Slim in 2026?

In my expert opinion as a long-time gaming enthusiast and tech product reviewer, the PlayStation 4 Slim remains a smart purchase in 2022 for budget-focused or casual gamers based on its price, game library, and expected remaining lifespan. While the PS5 is the shiny new toy, the PS4 Slim delivers strong 1080p gaming at a fraction of the cost.

A Legendary Game Library Awaits

The PlayStation 4 has one of the most impressive gaming libraries ever assembled, with over 1,800 titles across every genre imaginable. As of January 2022, the top 5 best-selling PS4 games are:

1. Grand Theft Auto V – Over 140 million copies sold
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief‘s End – Over 16 million copies sold
3. The Last of Us Remastered – Over 10 million copies sold
4. God of War (2018) – Over 10 million copies sold
5. Marvel‘s Spider-Man – Over 13 million copies sold

Other highly acclaimed PS4 exclusives include Bloodborne, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last Guardian, and many more. Gamers know PlayStation is home to the very best single-player narrative experiences.

And the PS4 can also play over 99% of the PS4 game library. This gives new buyers immediate access to past generation hits and hidden gems. No need to wait years for a robust catalog to develop from scratch.

Still Capable of Smooth 1080p Gaming

The PS4 Slim utilizes the exact same internal hardware as the original PS4 model, just in a smaller physical chassis:

• CPU: 8-core x86-64 AMD Jaguar 1.6GHz
• GPU: AMD Radeon-based graphics clocked at 800MHz
• Memory: 8GB GDDR5 RAM with 176GB/s bandwidth

Benchmarks show the PS4 hits ~1.84 TFLOPS of power. This was excellent for 2013, and still holds up reasonably well for 1080p gaming in 2022. Digital Foundry testing showed stable 30 FPS performance in demanding titles like Horizon Forbidden West. While not as fluid as 60FPS, 30FPS provides smooth gameplay with rare dips.

The PS4 Slim maxes out at 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution (Full HD 1080p). So those with 4K TVs won‘t benefit over an original PS4. But for the vast majority still gaming in 1080p, the PS4 Slim delivers the same great visuals and performance.

Years of Support Ahead

Sony has stated they plan to continue 1st party PS4 game development until at least 2025. Major releases like God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West saw "cross-gen" launches on both PS4 and PS5. This trend will continue for several more years.

Third party developers also have incentives to keep launching PS4 versions. The over 117 million PS4 consoles sold vastly outpaces the <20 million PS5s sold so far. Releasing exclusively on PS5 would alienate their largest possible customer base.

We can expect most triple-A games to support PS4 through 2023 at a minimum, with scaled back ports beyond that. The PS4 lifespan could mirror the PS3‘s impressive 13 year run.

Affordable Starting Price

One of the PS4 Slim‘s biggest advantages is its price and availability compared to the supply-constrained PS5.

Sony has ramped up production of the PS5, but demand still outpaces supply. Finding one at retail price remains difficult, leading to average resale markups of $130 – $200 above MSRP.

The PS4 Slim provides a budget pathway into PlayStation gaming. Refurbished units direct from Sony run $259.99 with a full warranty. And the secondhand market is flooded with quality used PS4 Slims in the $150-$200 range.

Drawbacks to Consider

While I feel the PS4 Slim offers solid value for most gamers, there are some disadvantages to weigh:

• Maximum 1080p Resolution – Those with 4K displays won‘t benefit over an original PS4. The PS4 Pro is required for 4K.

• Limited Future Support – 2023/2024 will likely mark the decline of new PS4 game releases as the console enters the end of life phase.

• No Native Backwards Compatibility – Only select PS2 classics are playable. The PS4 can‘t play physical PS1, PS2, or PS3 games like the PS5 can.

• Louder Fans/Overheating – The slimmer chassis can cause more fan noise and heat issues compared to the original PS4 depending on placement.

For players wanting the very best graphics and longest usable lifespan, the PS5 is the way to go. But gamers on a budget or parents buying for kids can save a lot opting for a PS4 Slim in 2022.

PS4 Slim vs. Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series S

How does the PS4 Slim compare against Nintendo and Xbox‘s current-gen budget offerings? The $299 Switch OLED and $299 Xbox Series S sit at identical MSRPs. Let‘s see how they stack up:

The Switch OLED‘s strengths are its incredible Nintendo exclusive franchises like Zelda and Mario, along with the unique hybrid portable + big screen gaming modes. But its performance lags far behind the PS4 and Xbox.

The Xbox Series S offers more power for higher resolution gaming, and full access to Microsoft‘s past catalogs. But the brand new system has far fewer games available so far compared to Sony‘s mature library.

Overall, the PS4 Slim holds its own as a great budget gaming system backed by a strong exclusive lineup and huge game selection. Casual gamers are hard pressed to be disappointed by a PS4 Slim in 2022.

The Verdict: Still a Great Starting Point in 2022

For gamers seeking good 1080p performance on a budget, the PlayStation 4 Slim represents a smart buy in 2022. While not as powerful as the PS5 or offering native 4K, the PS4 Slim delivers access to an incredible game catalog at very affordable used prices.

Sony‘s continued 1st party support until at least 2025 guarantees upcoming hot new releases can still be enjoyed. And the large PS4 install base ensures ongoing 3rd party support as well. If all you need is smooth Full HD gaming, the PS4 Slim has years of life left.

I give a strong recommendation to the PS4 Slim for casual or budget focused gamers looking to play all the PlayStation exclusives they‘ve missed. Kids and families will also appreciate the affordable entry point. Pick up a refurbished unit direct from Sony or scan for deals on used consoles to enjoy the immense PS4 game library without breaking the bank.