PS4 models: Original vs Slim vs Pro

✨ TL; DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

The PS4 Slim is, simply put, the compact redesign of the original PS4, with identical gaming performance. It’s lighter, cooler, and more energy-efficient, with 250W for the PS4 vs 165W for the Slim. The PS4 Pro is the high-end model, and it has a faster 2.13GHz CPU vs the 1.6GHz of the other two, as well as a much stronger GPU, enabling 4K upscaling and higher frame rates. In other words, if you play on a 1080p TV, the Slim or Original is good enough, and you should only upgrade to Pro if you have a 4K TV and want enhanced graphics.

Can you trust this PS4 models list?

Back Market is Europe’s largest marketplace for refurbished tech, so we know consoles inside and out. Every refurbished PS4 on Back Market undergoes a thorough inspection, with up to a 100-point quality inspection, and comes with at least a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns. In fact, Back Market promises best-in-class refurbishment and guarantees devices are fully functional and reset to factory settings. This means our comparisons and recommendations are based on certified hardware specifications and real user feedback.

“Bought a refurbished PS4 Pro from TheiOutlet via Back Market, and it’s fantastic! Looks and runs like new, with smooth gameplay and great graphics.” – Adnan M.

Which PS4 should I buy for the best everyday 1080p gaming?

✨The PS4 Slim is the best for everyday 1080p gaming because it’s compact, energy-efficient, and plays all PS4 games at 1080p just like the original.

The PS4 Slim plays games exactly the same way as the original, and although there’s no extra horsepower, it’s quieter, cooler, and uses less electricity. The Slim’s body is about 25% lighter and about 2cm thinner than the original PS4. It also adds some extra modern conveniences, like the dual-band 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and USB 3.1 for faster transfers. In benchmarks and gameplay, the Slim matches the original PS4’s performance in 1080p. The trade-offs are minor, with the Slim lacking the optical audio output that’s on the other two, and it has the same 1080p limitation as the PS4. The PS4 Slim is best for most gamers, especially those on a budget or with a 1080p TV.

What are the features and benefits of the PS4 Slim?

The PS4 Slim has the same core features as the original with all the benefits of the Slim design. Slim models come in 500 GB or 1 TB storage and are available in black, white, and occasional special editions. Some of the key features include a full USB 3.1, dual-band Wi-Fi with faster wireless, Bluetooth 4.0, and the same DualShock 4 controller. It also supports Remote Play and PSVR. Because it’s a newer model (CUH-2000 series), it’s cooler and quieter, and still plays any PS4 title. Some of the main benefits are its modern look, energy savings, and plenty of storage for downloaded games. Also, if you buy it on Back Market, it’s backed by Back Market’s inspection and usually sold with warranty.

“Great stuff, the PS4 was like brand new, I can tell it was refurbished properly. Very happy, thanks.” – Dan B

Why is the PS4 Pro model the best for 4K/HDR performance?

✨ The PS4 Pro is the best for 4K/HDR performance, perfect if you want the smoothest, highest-detail gameplay.

The PS4 Pro is a mid-generation upgrade designed for players who want the very best graphics. Under the hood, it sports a faster 2.13GHz 8-core CPU and an AMD Polaris GPU providing 4.2 teraflops, which is more than double the power of the base PS4/Slim. It still has 8 GB of GDDR5 RAM but adds 1 GB of DDR3 RAM for background tasks. Crucially, the Pro’s extra GPU power lets it output to 4K and handle HDR much better. Many games on the Pro offer high-resolution or performance modes that the Slim or standard PS4 can’t achieve. The downsides are that it’s heavier and thicker than the Slim and consumes almost double the electricity. Another common problem is that it tends to sound louder under heavy load, and can closely resemble the PS4 sound when playing demanding scenes, because it uses much more powerful hardware that generates a lot more heat. It’s generally noticeably softer than the PS4, but the fan behaviour depends heavily on game load. If you have a 4K HDR TV, however, the Pro truly shines since it’ll play games in 4K or super-sampled 1440p with HDR, giving visuals that the Slim and PS4 can’t match. The PS4 Pro is best for buyers with high-end displays or those who want the extra graphical fidelity and frame-rate headroom.

What are the features and benefits of the PS4 Pro?

The PS4 Pro is the powerhouse model that builds on the Slim with premium upgrades; it features a larger 1 TB hard drive and a faster HDMI 2.0 port for 4K TVs. It also adds an SPDIF optical audio port that’suseful for older sound systems and three USB 3.1 ports vs the two on Slim. The Pro’s hardware means features like Performance Mode or Boost Mode are available, and some of the main benefits include smoother gameplay and enhanced graphics on Pro-supported games, which is essential for VR users wanting the best PSVR experience. "Boost Mode" is a system setting that allows the console to improve performance in certain older PS4 games without needing a developer patch. This doesn't add new graphics features or affect PS4 Pro-enhanced games. The PS4 Pro supersampling mode is another benefit the others don't have, and is a downsampling technique where the console renders a game at a higher internal resolution before scaling it down to 1080p output. This is specifically designed for HDTVs at 1080p or lower.

It does have some downsides, though; you’ll need a 4K or HDR display to fully use its power, and the console is noticeably bigger.

What are a couple of games that’ll benefit from the PS4 Pro model?

There are several well-documented games that have clear benefits to using the PS4 Pro vs the Slim or original. Horizon Zero Dawn, and DOOM are two of the most noticeable.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Verified improvements on PS4 Pro:

• Uses dynamic 4K resolution scaling for sharper image quality

• Adds HDR support for improved lighting and colour

• Produces clearer, more detailed environments

Sony highlights that the game delivers “crisp, clear vistas” with enhanced lighting on PS4 Pro

Why it matters:  This is one of the strongest examples of a game built to show off the PS4 Pro hardware, with clear gains in both resolution and visual fidelity.

DOOM

Verified improvements on PS4 Pro:

• Runs at up to 1440p resolution with dynamic scaling

• Maintains a target of 60 FPS gameplay

• Offers more stable performance under load

Why it matters:  DOOM is performance-driven. The PS4 Pro’s extra power helps maintain smooth frame rates, which directly improves gameplay responsiveness.

Why is the original PS4 model best for strict budgets?

✨ The original PS4 is the best for strict budgets, as it tends to cost less. It has the same gaming performance as the Slim, so it’s only worth getting over a Slim if it’s significantly cheaper.

The original PS4 model offers the same baseline hardware as the Slim, since the Slim is just a redesign. When new, the original sold for the same price as Slim, but today, any original PS4 you find will likely berefurbished or second-hand, and they’re generally cheaper than the Slim models. Its pros are mainly the cost. You might find an original PS4 for slightly less than a Slim or bundled with old games. It includes the optical audio port for older surround systems, which the Slim dropped. On the downside, it’s bulkier and uses more power than the Slim. It also lacks any futureproofing and will only do 1080p, no 4K upscaling. Essentially, the original PS4 is best for bargain hunters who need the absolute cheapest entry. An original PS4 is still fully capable of playing every PS4 game out there.

What are the features and benefits of the PS4 Original?

The original PS4 offers a standard PlayStation 4 experience and includes a 500 GB HDD, one DualShock 4 controller, HDMI and Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz), and Bluetooth. It plays Blu-ray discs and all PS4 games and has a maximum TV output of 1080p, with HDR support added via firmware. One of the main benefits is that it was the full-featured launch model, while the biggest drawback is that it’s the least efficient and has a glossy top that can scratch, plus it’s almost entirely obsolete now that the Slim exists.

How does the PS4 (CUH-1200) differ from the original PS4 (CUH-1000)?

The PS4 2015 release was the most important revision of the original PS4 line, and offered users a bunch of key improvements. It lowered the power consumption from 250W to 230W and reduced the weight from 2.8kg to 2.5kg to make the model lighter and more energy efficient than the 2013 original model. It also came with a fully matte finish, which the original didn't have, as well as a slightly quieter fan profile. The early model's touch buttons had a tendency to misfire or fail from time to time, so the revision came with physical buttons to alleviate this problem.

What are the PS4 models’ technical specifications?

How do these PS4 models compare?

What are some shopping tips for getting the right PS4 model?

✨ Match the PS4 model to your screen and wallet. A Slim is great for 1080p gaming and saves on energy; only go for a Pro if you have a 4K HDR TV and want that extra graphical polish.

For a standard 1080p TV, the PS4 Slim is usually the sweet spot. It’s compact, affordable, and plays any PS4 game at full quality. For 4K/HDR setups, have a look at the PS4 Pro to enjoy sharper visuals. On a tight budget, a refurbished original PS4 or Slim from Back Market can save money with virtually no loss in game support.

Also consider your future needs when looking at the PS4 model differences; if you plan to move to PlayStation 5 later, or want VR, note that PS5 plays all PS4 titles with even better performance. But if you only care about existing PS4 exclusives like Spider-Man or The Last of Us Part II, a Slim or Pro will serve you well. Remember Back Market’s advantages, that every console is checked and warrantied, so even a cheaper, refurbished PS4 comes with confidence.

What is the final conclusion?

The original PS4 is the right choice only if you’re shopping on the tightest budget and don’t mind the louder fan noise, higher power use, and older launch design. The PS4 Slim is the best all round option for most buyers because it’s quieter, lighter, more efficient, and still plays the full PS4 library without giving up much in real use. The PS4 Pro makes sense if you want the sharpest image on a 1080p or 4K TV, plus better frame rates in supported games and extras like Boost Mode and supersampling. Even so, it’s still a PS4 at heart, so it won’t deliver the same jump as a newer system. If you’re buying for the long term, the PS5 is the smarter upgrade because it gives you a much bigger jump in speed, loading times, and future support.