PS4 Pro – Everything You Need to Know
Sony has finally revealed a new version of its flagship PlayStation 4 console. Named the PlayStation 4 Pro, the more powerful machine features 4K compatibility, a faster processor and enhanced graphics capabilities. PS4 Pro is slated to launch on 10 November 2016.
Earlier this year, rumors were doing the rounds in the gaming community that Sony was planning to develop a new console. Codenamed Project Neo the news took the gaming industry by storm. The original PlayStation 4 was only three years old, which is very recent in a gaming console’s lifecycle. Still, a new console coming from Sony anytime soon was not completely unexpected.
Details were kept under wraps for a few months but Sony finally made its grand reveal on September 7, 2016 in New York. Just a few days ago at this year’s PlayStation Meeting in New York, Sony finally unveiled its mysterious Project Neo console to the world and revealed a slimmer version of the PS4, too.
Just like with the previous versions of the PlayStation consoles, Sony has released a PS4 slim model that will retail at €299.99, but the much bigger news is their new and advanced console. Project Neo is now officially known as PS4 Pro, a high-end version of the PlayStation 4 console with many cutting-edge features. It will be launching on November 11, 2016 and will retail at €399.99.
PS4 Pro Features
Hardware is only as good as the features and specs they possess. Sony disclosed all of the PS4 Pro’s features at the Meeting, and it is quite impressive and very forward thinking. The PS4 Pro will offer an improved gaming experience, with support for 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR). With these two main features, it will enhance frame rates and stabilize graphics.
In addition to 4K graphics for gaming, the PS4 Pro will support 4K video streaming as well. HDR will result in an enhanced color depth and a greater contrast, resulting in deeper black levels and brighter highlights. With the extra graphical power of 4K and HDR, game developers will now be able to create more vibrant and richer gaming worlds that will look better and run smoother.
1080p Share Play will let your mates experience your gameplay in amazing definition, while 1080p Remote Play to do the same when streaming games to compatible devices.
A New Member of the PS4 Family
Many gamers were sitting on the fence with Sony’s new console a few months ago as they presumed this new console would be the next generation, making the current PS4 games obsolete. Many were even calling this PlayStation 4.5 before the official announcement. A section of gamers thought that it would split the PS4 player base, with certain games designed specifically for the PS4 Pro with its 4K and HDR capabilities.
Fortunately, for all PlayStation gamers, none of those is true. The PS4 Pro will simply be another member of the PS4 family, but with more powerful, state-of-the-art features.
Sony has assured us that there will be no exclusive PS4 Pro games. They will not alienate the existing PS4 fan base by releasing games that will only run at 4K graphics with HDR.
The PS4 Pro will be compatible with all PS4 games, those released in the past, those being released now, and those that will be released in the future. The PS4 Pro will not divide PlayStation fans.
The newer console is simply an upgraded alternative to the best gaming console on the planet. If gamers want to be at the forefront of technology and innovation, then they can use the PS4 Pro and experience those benefits.
Games that have already been released on the PS4 will receive a 4K update to look better and run smoother on the new console.
New games being released after November 10 will be able to take full advantage of PS4 Pro’s new technologies.
Moreover, PlayStation unveiled its PlayStation VR virtual reality project earlier this year and many speculated that only this new console would be able to support PS VR games.
Sony has confirmed that all PS VR games will run equally well on the standard PS4 and the new PS4 Pro.
No PlayStation player will be left out from feeling the wonderful immersive gaming experience of VR gaming.
The PS4 Pro 4K Experience
Since this console is being marketed as a 4K, HDR gaming experience, many were left wondering if they required a 4K TV to actually use the PS4 Pro. The answer is no; gamers do not require a 4K TV to use the PS4 Pro. The PS4 Pro can display much higher resolutions than the standard PS4 when using a 4K TV (4K vs. 1080p). The new console can still improve your gaming experience on your current HDTV.
If you’re wondering, “How so?” Sony has given game developers the opportunity of upscaling 1080p content to 4K content. Consequently, this will help in increasing environment and character model details, and improving the overall visual quality. So there are plenty of benefits and perks for gamers even if they do not own a 4K TV. The PS4 Pro will make subtle yet perceivable differences in visual quality.
Earlier, we mentioned that the PS4 Pro supports 4K video streaming. Sony made this move because in addition to being the gaming console of the future. The Japanese company wants the PS4 Pro to be the consumer’s entertainment device of choice in the living room. Sony knows that many of its fans use the PS4 for watching movies and TV shows. Therefore, the company is also collaborating with Netflix and YouTube to provide new apps for 4K streaming services on the PS4 Pro.
PS4 Pro Technical Specifications
We cannot emphasize this enough, but the key selling points of the PS4 Pro are the 4K resolution (4096×2160 pixels). This is in addition to support for both gaming and video streaming, as well as HDR support for crisper and cleaner graphics. As a result, this will result in visuals being more life-like and realistic. The upgraded console’s hardware specs are also an indication of the console’s immense gaming power. They are listed below, provided by Sony.
- Main processor: Single chip custom processor
- CPU: x86-64 AMD “Jaguar”, 8 cores
- GPU: 4.2 Tera FLOPS, AMD Radeon based graphics engine
- Memory: GDDR5 8GB RAM
- Storage size: 1 TB
- Dimensions: 295x55x327 mm (width x height x length)
- Mass: 3.3 kg
- Optical drive: Blu-Ray drive
- I/O ports: Super-speed USB (USB 3.1 Generation 1) port x3; AUX port x1
- Networking: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x1; IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ax; Bluetooth 4.0 (LE)
- Power: AC 100V, 50/60 Hz
- Power consumption: 310 W
- Operating temperature: 5 °C – 35 °C
- AV output: HDMI out port (supports 4K/HDR); Digital Out (OPTICAL) port
PS4 Pro + PS VR
With the latest addition to the PlayStation 4 family, the PS4 Pro will be a revolutionary games console that offers gamers more of what they already love. Namely better graphics and crisper and sharper visuals utilizing the latest technology features.
If you happen to own a 4K TV, the PS4 Pro will display games in the highest resolution possible. Even if you do not have one, the new console will still upscale your games to 4K on a 1080p HDTV. With PlayStation VR coming very soon, gamers can experience the virtual reality experience on a PS4 Pro with the most realistic visuals.
The PS4 Pro will officially launch on November 10, 2016 and will retail at €399.99. Significantly , that is the same price as the original PS4 did when that was released in 2013. Stay tuned here for more information on the PS4 Pro until launch date.
