PS4 Pro vs PS4: What's the difference?

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The PS4 and PS4 Pro are very similar in some ways, but are completely different in others. 

Although they both play the exact same games, the PS4 Pro offers resolutions of up to 4K, depending on whether individual games have received the all important Pro patch. 

These patches are unfortunate, because as yet only a fraction of the console’s library have them. 

Going forward, all PS4 games will need to include a “Pro Mode”, which will allow them to make the most of the Pro’s enhanced hardware. This pretty much guarantees that there’ll be a lot of Pro content in the future, but right now it’s slim pickings. 

We’ve now had some time to digest what the new console is capable of – highly detailed 4K/HDR gameplay, Ultra-HD media streaming from apps like Netflix and the new Pro Mode – but now it’s time to work out how it shapes up to the existing PS4 hardware. 

PS4 Pro

Appearance

  • PS4 Pro is bigger, but not by much
  • Sleeker finish on top of the Pro console

The most obvious difference between the original PS4 and the PS4 Pro is the addition of an extra layer onto the console.

While the original PS4 had two layers separated by a gap for the disc drive and two USB ports, the PS4 Pro has three layers.

Thankfully this hasn’t lead to too much of an increase in its dimensions. The original PS4 measured 275.1 x 305.1 x 53.1mm, while the Pro measures 295 x 327 x 55mm. That means it’s slightly bigger, it’s 2cm deeper and 2cm wider, but interestingly it’s more or less the same height.

It’s also half a kilogram heavier, or just over a pound.

Connections

  • PS4 Pro has an extra USB port
  • PS4 Pro also has an optical audio port
  • Original PS4 uses HDMI 1.4, Pro uses HDMI 2.0a

In terms of rear connectors, the PS4 Pro is nearly identical to the standard PS4, aside from the addition of an extra USB 3.0 port – which should be pretty useful if you’re planning on hooking up a PlayStation VR, since the headset takes up a USB port when it’s plugged in. 

An extra USB port is an excellent inclusion, since the PSVR brings back the Move Controllers which each need a USB port to charge. 

PS4 Pro vs PS4 rear

Unlike the new slimmer PS4, the PS4 Pro does include an optical audio output on its rear like the original launch PS4.

The final difference between the ports on the back of the console is the HDMI port. While the original PS4 had an HDMI 1.4 port, the PS4 Pro has an HDMI 2.0 port to allow it to output at 4K resolutions (more on that later).

Important to note is that you don’t need to upgrade your HDMI cable to take advantage of 4K, despite what Sony is claiming on its official FAQ. Any HDMI cable that can handle 1080p can do 4K just fine. 

Optical drive

  • Both systems have Blu-ray drives
  • Neither are capable of 4K Blu-ray playback

This is a particularly sore spot for Sony’s new system. Despite speculation to the contrary, the PS4 Pro does not include an Ultra HD Blu-ray player. It can play Full HD 1080p Blu-ray discs just the same as the original PS4.

Sony’s decision to omit a Ultra-HD Blu-ray drive from the system is puzzling, considering that Blu-ray support was one of the major boons of the PS3. Now, Sony might be saving that for another console down the road, however, considering that Microsoft’s Xbox One S already has the high-end disc drive, it would’ve benefitted Sony to launch the Pro with one as well.