Currently, the "PS4 Slim" is the PS4 console you will buy completely new. It offers the same interiors as the original 4 PS2013, but features a sleeker design. It's still a fantastic console, and we'd say we know full well what the premium capabilities of the 4K-capable PS4 Pro and the super-powerful new PS5 can do.
Many PS4 models have been discontinued since the PS5 launched, but the PS4 Slim is still available. Sony intends to keep production going into 2022, so you might find some very reasonably priced PS4 bundles in sales. Of course, for future-proofing and 4K gaming, you're better off trying to get a PS5 bundle.
In addition to being the smallest PlayStation console on the market, the PS4 Slim is also the most affordable. There are compromises: there's no 4K resolution and no optical audio output, but if you can work within those limits, the PlayStation 4 Slim offers a lot for your money. The compact size of the PS4 Slim allows it to fit better in most rooms. It's also quieter and consumes less power than the original PS4.
With all that in mind, is the PlayStation 4 Slim still worth buying as a console or would those looking to game with Sony be better off opting for a PS5? This console offers a massive jump in power over the PS4, and while there will be a shortage, it will be easier to find than the now-discontinued mid-gen PS4 Pro upgrade.
All in all, the PS5 is the smart choice to save if you really want to future-proof for years of PlayStation gaming to come. Yes, there are plenty of newer versions released through the generations, so if you buy a PS4, you won't be left behind right away.
However, some newer games may not be up to the task of older hardware. Plus, the PS5 is backwards compatible with the best PS4 games, so you won't miss out on the back catalogue. If you're really looking to weigh the best option for you, we've got you covered in our individual guide: PS5 vs PS4: Should you buy a PlayStation 5 in 2022?
However, if you're not at all interested in the latest hardware with its 4K bells and whistles and just want a machine to help you catch up on PS4's fantastic library of games, then the PS4 Slim is an option that may be worth your while. good for you. Read on for more detailed console ideas.
- Sony PlayStation 4 Slim (1TB Black) at Amazon for €459.99 (opens in a new tab)
Sony PS4 (Slim): Quick Questions Answered
What is the difference between PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro? The PS4 Slim is essentially a slimmer, cheaper, and better-looking version of the original PS4. On the other hand, the PS4 Pro is more premium and can play in 4K
If you want to dig deeper into the differences between the two PS4 consoles, check out our comparison guide: PS4 Pro vs PS4: What's the difference? Keep in mind, though, that the PS4 Pro isn't widely available anymore.
Is the PS4 Slim better than the PS4 Pro? When it comes to specs, no. The PS4 Pro is the superior console. It gives you "true" 4K gaming, which is hard to get on other devices without compromise. It is also bigger on the outside than on the inside, the GPU is much faster. Although the processor has a similar architecture, it has been clocked at a faster speed.
But that doesn't necessarily mean you should buy one. The PS4 Pro is better for those who want a premium gaming experience and have a 4K TV. If you don't have a 4K TV or money to burn, the PS4 Slim might be better for you.
Is it the PS4 Slim 4K? No, it is not. You won't get 4K with the PS4 Slim, so if you're interested in 4K gaming and a 4K Blu-ray player, you'll have to aim for the PS4 Pro or PS5 instead.
PS4 Slim: design
Think back to when the original PlayStation 4 came along, and you might remember that its unconventional shape garnered a lot of attention when it was first revealed. The stripped-down PS4 that debuted in 2016 more or less retained the basic visual identity of the first PlayStation 4, but made the parallelogram package even more compact, softening some of the edges.
The first PlayStation 4 measured 27,5 x 30 x 5,3 cm, while the later PS4 Slim shrinks it down to 26,5 x 26,5 x 3,8 cm, about a third smaller. The overall weight is also lighter.
The first PS4 mixed glossy and matte plastics, but the PS4 Slim extends the matte black finish across the entire console. The top-mounted colored light bar indicator, which shows sleep, wake, and off status, is ditched in favor of little bright dots on the power button (which are actually harder to see, so be careful before unplugging the appliance).
As before, the disc drive slot faces forward, above the small power and eject buttons. More recent revisions of the PS4 also featured physical buttons on the console, but the Launch Edition of the PS4 preferred touch controls. Two USB ports sit on the front of the PlayStation 4 Slim, just like on previous PS4 models, but now they're much further apart and a bit easier to connect.
Both 500GB and 1TB versions of the PS4 Slim are available, though the former is much rarer. If you choose the smaller of the two, your hard drive may fill up surprisingly quickly with the console's reliance on mandatory game installations, but luckily it's easy enough to upgrade the internal hard drive or install games on an external hard drive. . .
On the back are the power socket (no external power supply needed), an HDMI port, the PlayStation Camera expansion port (essential for PlayStation VR), and an Ethernet network jack.
The only major casualty of the stripped-down design is the optical-out port on the back: HDMI will satisfy many gamers' needs for carrying audio signals, but those connecting older home theater receivers will lack the optical-out or headphone port. for swollen games.
However, the PS4 Slim has a lot of nice design touches around its chassis. The iconic PlayStation brand symbols Square, Triangle, Circle and Cross are etched into the side of the console (with the circle serving as a stand for those who want to stand the console upright with a dock accessory).
The same symbols can also be found glued to the bottom, acting as feet to lift the machine off a surface for better airflow. Overall, it's a well-thought-out design, which definitely justifies its "Slim" street name.
PS4 Slim: Configuration
Setting up the slim PlayStation 4 is a breeze, especially if you're upgrading from the original PS4 (or even a PS3), because you can use all the same cables, so there's no need to stretch out behind your TV.
Simply plug in the included HDMI and power cables and connect to the Internet to download various console patches and updates. Alternatively, you can skip Wi-Fi or Ethernet altogether and just launch a game. Unlike Xbox One, you can get to the home screen without initially connecting to the web and patching first.
Once connected to the internet, you will need to quit the PS4 update before you can make purchases in the store or play online.
PS4 Slim: multimedia
Since the first PlayStation, Sony's home consoles have led the charge in media playback support. The PS One was an excellent CD player, the PS2 was many gamers' first DVD player, and the PS3 introduced a Blu-ray player and USB playback.
The PS4, though it didn't introduce its own new format, continued the torch passed by the PS3, offering expanded support for streaming services, Blu-ray and DVD playback, USB media functionality, and even music with its own Spotify player. This carried over to the PS4 Slim.
What the PS4 Slim doesn't do, however, is offer an answer to the Xbox One S's 4K Blu-ray player, instead sticking to the standard Xbox One S's Full HD Blu-ray player. PS4 original. It's still a solid platform, but anyone looking to show off their 4K TVs with the PS4 Slim will be disappointed (and it's also conspicuously absent from the PS4 Pro).
Arguably, with streaming being used more and more for viewing media, it's not a desperately needed feature, especially if it drives down the overall cost. But it will age the PS4 Slim console, preventing it from being fully future-proof. Perhaps most annoying is the complete removal of the optical-out audio jack, which could cause a headache for those with older AV gear.
One update that applies to the entire PS4 lineup, including the PS4 Slim, though, is HDR support. It adds more detail to light sources in an image, and it's pretty much a staple of TV technology these days.
All other streaming services and apps featured on the PS4 return for the PS4 Slim, including (but not limited to) Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, plus BBC iPlayer and Sky TV in the UK, and HBO Go and Hulu in the US. USA
Sony's movie rental platform is also available if you're looking for the latest Hollywood releases. YouTube is here, as is Twitch game streaming and a Spotify Connect-enabled version of the popular music streaming service, letting you control the tunes on your TV from the comfort of your phone.
Sony PlayStation 4 Slim: price comparison
