The PS4 Slim offers the same interior as the original PS4, but benefits from a sleeker design that also conveniently shaves a few figures off the price. It’s a fantastic console, even when compared to the next-gen PS4 Pro and PS5, so while it may be starting to show its age, it doesn’t stutter for a moment.
Many models of the PS4 have been discontinued since the PS5 was released, but the PS4 Slim is still one of those left in stock, and Sony intends to keep production going for as long as possible. So, you can find some reasonably priced PS4 bundles in upcoming sales. But, if you’re looking for something that supports 4K gaming, the PS5 is more than likely for you.
The PS4 Slim is also the most affordable option for PS4 home consoles, but there are some compromises due to this. There’s no 4K resolution or optical audio output, but it can work with these limitations, so the PS4 Slim offers a lot for your money. The compact size also means the console is quieter and uses less power.
With all this in mind, is the PlayStation 4 Slim still a console worth picking up or would those looking to game with Sony be better off opting for a PS5? That console offers a massive jump in power over the PS4, and while there’s a shortage, it’ll be easier to find than the now-discontinued mid-gen PS4 Pro upgrade.
Overall, the PS5 is the smart choice to save if you really want to future-proof for years of PlayStation gaming to come. Yes, many of the latest releases are rolling out across the generations, so if you buy a PS4, you won’t immediately be left behind.
However, some new games may not keep up with the old 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 head-to-head guide: PS5 vs PS4: Should You Buy a PlayStation 5 in 2022?
However, if you’re not all that into the latest hardware with its 4K bells and whistles and just want a machine to help you catch up on the PS4’s fantastic library of games, then the PS4 Slim is an option you might want. adapt to you Read on for more detailed console ideas.
Sony PS4 (Slim): Quick Questions Answered
What is the difference between the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro? The PS4 Slim is essentially a slimmer, cheaper, and better-looking version of the original PS4. By contrast, 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 compromising. It’s also bulkier on the outside and inside, the GPU is much faster. Although the CPU 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 spare, the PS4 Slim might be better for you.
Is the PS4 Slim 4K? No, it’s 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 need to set your sights on the PS4 Pro or PS5.
PS4 Slim: Design
Think back to when the original PlayStation 4 first burst onto the scene, and you might remember that its unconventional shape garnered quite a bit of attention when it was first revealed. The stripped-down PS4 that debuted in 2016 more or less retained the core 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 5.3cm, while the latest PS4 Slim shrinks it down to 26.5 x 26.5 x 3.8cm, about a third smaller. The overall weight is also comparatively 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 states, is dropped in favor of small illuminated dots above the power button (which are actually harder to see, so be careful before unplugging the unit).
As before, the disc drive slot faces the front, 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 favored touch-sensitive 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 go with 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 fairly easy to upgrade the internal hard drive or install games to a hard drive. external.
On the back are the power socket (no need for an external power brick), an HDMI port, the PlayStation Camera expansion port (essential for PlayStation VR), and an Ethernet network socket.
The only major casualty of the scaled-down design is the optical-out port on the back: HDMI will satisfy the needs of many gamers for carrying audio signals, but those connecting to older home theater receivers or upgraded gaming headsets.
However, the PS4 Slim has a lot of nice design touches around its chassis. The iconic Square, Triangle, Circle and Cross symbols of the PlayStation brand are emblazoned on the side of the console (with the Circle acting as an accessory for those who want to stand the console upright with a dock accessory).
The same symbols are also attached to the bottom, acting as feet to lift the machine off a surface to improve airflow. Overall, it’s a well-considered design, notably justifying its “Slim” street name.
PS4 Slim: setup
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 entirely and just pop in a game. Unlike Xbox One, you can access the home screen without initially connecting to the web and patching first.
Once you’re connected to the internet, you’ll need to allow the PS4 to update before you can make purchases in the store or play online.
PS4 Slim: Media
Since the first PlayStation, Sony’s home consoles have led the charge when it comes to media playback support. The PS One became an excellent CD player, the PS2 was the first DVD player for many gamers, and the PS3 introduced a Blu-ray deck and USB playback.
The PS4, while not introducing a new format of its own, took over from the PS3, offering wide compatibility with the streaming service, Blu-ray and DVD playback, USB media functionality, and even playing the tunes with its own Spotify. . player. That 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 with the standard Full HD Blu-ray player from the original PS4. 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).
One could argue that with streaming being used more and more for viewing media, it’s not a desperately needed feature, especially if you keep the overall cost down. But it will age the PS4 Slim console, preventing it from being fully future-proof. What is perhaps most annoying is the complete removal of the optical output audio jack, which could cause headaches for those with older AV equipment.
However, one update that applies to the entire PS4 range, including the PS4 Slim, is HDR support. This adds more detail to light sources in an image and is pretty much a staple in TV technology these days.
All the other streaming services and apps featured on the PS4 return for the PS4 Slim, including (but not limited to) Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, as well as BBC iPlayer and Sky TV in the UK, and HBO Go and Hulu in the UK. US.
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.
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