Buying a PS4 Pro in 2020: Is It Too Late?

The original PlayStation 4 is already pushing 8 years after being first released in 2013, and with the release of the PlayStation 5 just right around the corner, it’s only fair to wonder, is buying a PS4 Pro in 2020 still worth it? Or, would interested gamers who don’t own a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 4 Pro yet be better off waiting the extra few months for the PlayStation 5?

Is It Worth Waiting for the PlayStation 5?

First off, we’re not just talking about buying a PlayStation 4 in 2020 here. We’re talking about buying a PS4 Pro, the mid-cycle upgrade to the original PlayStation 4. It was released first in late 2016 and comes with a wide slew of improvements over the original 2013 release, including but not limited to, 4K support and smoother, higher frame rates.

Back in December, we talked about the merits of buying a PS4 Pro then, and it made a lot of sense.

It was the holiday season, and there were plenty of deals for the PlayStation 4 Pro and a 4K TV. Not to mention, we didn’t know much about the PlayStation 5 yet. We knew that it was coming, but we didn’t exactly know when, and what kind of improvements we should be expecting.

However, more and more details regarding the next-generation console are starting to emerge. Sony has been more open to talking about the PlayStation 5 – the only thing which was missing was the spec sheet which we now have. This means that its time to get super excited! We’re getting closer-than-ever to the PlayStation 5.

PS5 SPECS

PS4 Specs

It’s quite clear that the PS5 has far superior specs so if you are able to hold out just a few more months, you’ll be getting a console built to last. Thus, this makes for quite the dilemma. Should you buy a PlayStation 4 Pro today, knowing that a better next-generation console could be up for sale for roughly the same price within the next 12 months or so?

If you already have a working PS4 then we would highly recommend waiting it out for the release of the ps5, which is just around the corner.

Why It’s Worth Buying a PS4 Pro in 2020

If you’re in desperate need of an upgraded unit or if your current PS4 has died, then it wouldn’t be the end of the world to take the plunge and splash out on a new PS4. Even if the PS5 releases in a few months, that’s still a long time to wait without a console. This is especially true if you’re already itching to play the upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusives. Besides, it’s not like the PlayStation 4 or the PlayStation 4 Pro will be obsolete once the PlayStation 5 arrives and there will likely be some great trade-in deals once it does.

Another good point is that developers continued releasing games for the PlayStation 3 up until 2018, with dozens of games for the PS3 still being released from 2015 onward. If we assume that Sony and other developers will follow the same timeline, we should see games still being developed for the PlayStation 4 up until 2022-2023. It wouldn’t even be unrealistic to expect marquee Sony exclusives to still be developed for the PlayStation 4 up until 2021.

This means that, even if you buy a PlayStation 4 Pro today, you’ll still have a full two years worth of video games being released.

Add the already-excellent catalog of games that the PlayStation 4 already has, six years into its lifespan, you’ll find that there’s plenty of games to go around for the PlayStation 4 to keep you busy before you start getting bored and think of buying yourself a PlayStation 5.

Check out Amazon deal for the Pro Sony PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB Console – Black (PS4 Pro)

What about a PS4 Slim? The younger brother of the Pro

We’ve spent all this time talking about buying a PS4 Pro in 2020 that we forgot about its cheaper and more svelte sibling, the PS4 Slim.

Released alongside the PS4 Pro in 2016, the PS4 Slim offered a cheaper and slimmer alternative to both the upgraded version of the PS4 and even the original PS4 console.

So, you may ask, what’s the difference between the PS4 Pro and the PS4 Slim?

Essentially, it’s just the 4K support and the ability to record gameplay in 1080p (the regular PS4 and PS4 Slim can only record in 720p). Sure, under the hood, the PS4 Pro is a lot more powerful, but we don’t have time to go in-depth with the technicalities. All that you need to know is that, if you have a 4K TV, then, by all means, buying a PS4 Pro is a good idea. Otherwise, you’ll do just fine with a PS4 Slim.

The PS4 Slim can run all the games that the original PS4 and the PS4 Pro can run just fine. This includes exclusives such as Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Last of Us, God of War, and more.

Check out these bundles below which all include some of the exclusive games. PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB Console – Only On PlayStation Bundle

Besides, the difference between 4K and 1080p on the PS4 is not always that significant.

Ultimately, regardless of whether you’re gaming on a PS4 Pro or a PS4 Slim, you’re still playing the same game and arguably getting the same type of enjoyment.

The biggest difference? The PS4 Slim costs almost half the price of the PS4 Pro!

Final Thoughts

Buying a PS4 Pro in 2020, or even a PS4 Slim, can make some sense.

The price of the PlayStation 4 has gone down quite a bit since it first released back in 2013. Plus, the games are a lot cheaper now. Besides, even if the PS5 does indeed release in 2020, so what? It’s not like Sony’s just going to forget about the PS4. Most likely, you’ll be seeing the same titles and exclusives across both consoles for, at least, the first year or two. On the other hand, if you decided to wait things out, there might not be too many games to enjoy on the PS5, or, if the backwards-compatibility rumours are true, there won’t be too many games that can utilize the added power of the PS5.

Overall, buying a PS4 Pro in 2020 or a PS4 Slim is worth it if you factor in trade-in value once the ps5 is out. Having said that, I wouldn’t go upgrading to a pro version if you already have a working slim or standard console. 🙂

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What do you think? Is buying a PS4 Pro in 2020 too late? What are your thoughts on going with the PS4 Slim instead? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.