The PS4 was already the best gaming console around, and Sony went ahead and improved it further with the PlayStation 4 Pro. Underneath its chassis is extra power to push your games into UHD 4K resolution, HDR support, and better frames. And we can’t forget some of the most highly-acclaimed exclusives like God of War (2018) and Horizon: Zero Dawn.
Why We Like It – PlayStation 4 Pro Review
An improved version of the original console with UHD 4K and HDR support, extract more frames and vibrant colors like never before from some of the greatest exclusives to ever grace the console like God of War (2018), Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Ghost of Tsushima.
- Supports 4K Ultra HD
- Supports High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- Superb exclusives
- PlayStation Plus rewards a step behind Xbox Game Pass
- Doesn’t support 4K UHD Blu-ray discs
Performance
PS4 games looked good on the original PS4, but look even better on the Sony PS4 Pro’s superior performance. Enhanced games look sharper, there’s more detail, and most of all: they play better. With that extra power, many PS4 titles go from 30 FPS to 60 frames per second. Of course, we can’t ignore its HDR. With an HDR TV, you can extract beautiful colors from your games like never before. Once you experience HDR, you’ll always want it.
During our PS4 Pro review, one feature stood out: Boost Mode. Many games display in 4K, but not every game. Boost Mode provides extra power to those games, allowing for higher frame rates or sharper images. It’s an awesome feature the original PS4 and PlayStation 4 Slim don’t have, ensuring that every game benefits from the power of the Pro Sony has released. But if you want to relive the past and play old games in the iconic SEGA genesis, read our Sega genesis mini gaming console review.
Design
The design of the PS4 Pro didn’t change all that much. The Power button and Eject button were moved to a horizontal position. The two USB ports have been moved further to the right rather than somewhere in the middle. One design flaw is the Blu-ray player. Unfortunately, it is not an Ultra HD Blu Ray Player; instead, it plays the same kind of Blu-rays as the standard PS4. It’ll still play YouTube and streaming services in 4K, however. It is not mobile, unlike the Nintendo Switch Gaming Console. What if playing 3D games is what you want? Check out our Sony PlayStation 3D display review.
Value
When comparing the PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox One X—two high end models—it can be tough deciding, but is clearly better than the Microsoft Xbox One S. Which has the better value? Here’s a helping hand: the PS4 Pro has incredible exclusive titles like God of War (2018), Marvel’s Spider-Man, The Last of Us, Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy VII (Remake), Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and more. You do get free games through PlayStation Plus, but we’d argue the Xbox Game Pass is slightly better. However, the Sony PlayStation VR benefits greatly from the PS4 Pro’s power.
PlayStation 4 Pro Review Wrap Up
The PlayStation 4 Pro is an excellent ending to a superb gaming console. It provides a great increase in performance without investing in a whole new machine, and is perfect for someone who hasn’t experienced the console yet. You get HDR, UHD 4K, and superb exclusives like Ghost of Tsushima. Xbox Game Pass is arguably better, but PS+ isn’t far behind. It’s just a bummer the console doesn’t play UHD Blu-ray discs.
