After the next-gen console’s launch, the PlayStation 5, many people are in dilemma whether they should buy PS4 or PS5, as both the consoles offer excellent gaming experiences. You can compare them below and take your decision accordingly.
If you want to enjoy the latest blockbuster games with the best visual and audio fidelity for many years to come, we recommend getting the PlayStation 5. Grab a PlayStation 4 during a sale if you want a more budget-friendly option and a fantastic gaming experience. Also, there are several amazing PlayStation 4 video games available at discounted prices during the sale.
With the PS4, you have a wide variety of games to choose from, so it’s hard to run out of options. However, there will be more and more PS5 exclusive titles in the coming years that will not be available on the PS4. We will look at the differences between PS4 and PS5 regarding their specifications, cost, game collection, and upgrade options so that you can make an informed decision about whether you should buy PS4 or PS5.
PS4 vs PS5 Digital Edition vs PS5 Standard Edition Specifications
As the PS4 Pro has been discontinued from Sony, we will be comparing the PS4 Slim, PS5 Digital Edition, and PS5 Standard Edition here:
| Component | PS4 Slim | PS5 Digital Edition | PS5 Standard Edition |
| CPU | Single-chip custom processor, x86-64 AMD “Jaguar”, 8 cores | x86-64-AMD Ryzen ‘Zen 2’ 8 Cores / 16 Threads up to 3.5 GHz (Variable frequency) | x86-64-AMD Ryzen ‘Zen 2’ 8 Cores / 16 Threads up to 3.5 GHz (Variable frequency) |
| GPU | 1.84 TFLOPS, AMD Radeo based graphics engine | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine Ray Tracing Acceleration up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS) (Variable frequency) | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine Ray Tracing Acceleration up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS) (Variable frequency) |
| System Memory | GDDR5 8GB | GDDR6 16GB with 448GB/s Bandwidth | GDDR6 16GB with 448GB/s Bandwidth |
| Internal Storage | 1TB | 825GB with 5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw) | 825GB with 5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw) |
| Optical Drive | BD × 6 CAV DVD × 8 CAV | Not Applicable | Ultra HD Blu-ray (66G/100G) ~10xCAV BD-ROM (25G/50G) ~8xCAV BD-R/RE (25G/50G) ~8xCAV DVD ~3.2xCLV |
| Game Disc | Blu-ray and DVD playback, no audio CD support | Not Applicable | Ultra HD Blu-ray, up to 100GB/disc |
| Video Out | HDMI out port (HDR output supported), HDMI ver 1.4. HD output at 720p, 1080p. | HDMI OUT port Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1) | HDMI OUT port Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1) |
| Audio | AMD TrueAudio | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech |
| Dimensions | Approx. 265×39×288 mm (width × height × length) (excludes largest projection) | Approx. 390mm x 92mm x 260mm (width x height x depth)(excludes largest projection, excludes Base) | Approx. 390mm x 104mm x 260mm (width x height x depth)(excludes largest projection, excludes Base) |
| Weight | Approx. 2.1 kg | 3.9kg | 4.5kg |
| Power | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz Max. 165W | 340W | 350W |
| Input / Output | Super-Speed USB (USB 3.1 Gen1) port × 2 | USB Type-A port (Hi-Speed USB) USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2 USB Type-C port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) | USB Type-A port (Hi-Speed USB) USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2 USB Type-C port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) |
| Networking | Ethernet（10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T）×1 IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth v4.0 | Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.1 | Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.1 |
PS4 vs PS5 Digital Edition vs PS5 Standard Edition price
The cost of PS4, PS5 Standard, and PS5 Digital Edition is as follows:
| PlayStation Model | Cost |
| PS4 Slim | $299.99 USD |
| PS5 Digital Edition | $399.99 USD |
| PS5 Standard Edition with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc costs | $499.99 USD |
We want to point out one fact here that, although the PS4 Slim was launched with a price tag of $299.99 USD but due to the launch of PS5 and disrupted supply chain after the discontinuation of all the other PS4 models(including the PS4 Pro) and high demand of the PlayStation consoles, the PS4 slim price is found to be very inconsistent. It can be found selling anywhere between the price range of $430 to $450. For more details, you can read How Much Does PlayStation 4 Cost?
As we said earlier the PS5 is available in two editions, you can read more about the PS5 cost at How Much Does The PlayStation 5 Cost?
PS4 vs PS5 games collection
PlayStation 4 has an extensive library of games; it has more than 4000+ titles that are playable on the console. PS4 offers some of the best gaming titles, such as Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, God of War, Bloodborne, The Last of Us Remastered, etc. You will never feel out of options after buying a PS4 console. The good news is most of the PS4 titles are playable on the PS5 console as well, all thanks to PS5’s backward compatibility. You can discover more about this at PS5’s backward compatibility.
Although some upcoming PS4 titles such as God of War: Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West have been scheduled to launch on both PS4 and PS5, but there are some PS5 exclusive games as well, such as:
- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
- Gran Turismo 7
- Destruction AllStars
- Demon’s Souls
- Returnal
- Astro’s Playroom
The above list will only grow in the future, and you will see more and more PS5 exclusive titles. Also, please note that the PS5 titles can cost you up to $69 unlike PS4 games, which generally cost up to $59.
Apart from the ability to play PS4 games through backward compatibility, you may also have the option to upgrade a physical disc or a digital PS4 game to the digital version of a PS5 game. The upgrade unlocks some of PS5’s advanced features on your PS4 games, such as short loading times, adaptive triggers, better resolutions, higher frame rates, and more. Please note that the upgrade feature is different from the backward compatibility feature of the PS5 console, and the former may or may not be available for every gaming title. Read on to find out how to upgrade your PS4 games to the PS5 version.
Can you upgrade the PS4 version of the game to the PS5 version?
It may be possible to upgrade a disc or digital PS4 game to a digital PS5 version. The game may provide this upgrade for free, may require a purchase, or may be available for a limited time. Check with the game publisher if the upgrade is available or not for your game.
To upgrade the PS4 physical disk to the PS5 digital version, you will require a PS5 standard edition having a Blu-ray disc drive. Follow the below steps to upgrade:
- Insert the PS4 game disc into the PS5 disc drive.
- Go to the game hub of the title.
- Choose the upgrade offer on the game hub.
- Select Download or Purchase with the discount price to download the content.
- After downloading the game, you can play the upgraded PS5 digital game.
- Please note that you will need to keep the physical disc inserted in the PS5 each time you play the game.
To upgrade PS4 digital game to a PS5 digital version, follow the below steps:
- Turn on your PS5.
- Open the PlayStation Store, and go to the game hub for the PS5 game.
- Choose the upgrade offer on the game hub.
- Select Download or Purchase with the discount price to download the content.
- After downloading the game, you can play the upgraded PS5 digital game.
Verdict: Should you buy PS4 or PS5?
The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 are both amazing consoles, and the gaming community has hotly debated the question of a next-generation upgrade. On the one hand, there’s no arguing that the PS4 had held its position as one of the best-selling gaming consoles and has delivered a great gaming experience. It has a vast library of games and a low price tag that makes it a desirable option. On the other hand, the PS4’s successor, the PS5 console, was officially announced in November 2020. The new processing unit, a new form factor, and a revamped controller provide an overall better gaming experience.
So, after going through the all the aspects such as price, specs, games availability, and upgrade options, we would recommend the following on whether you should buy PS4 or PS5:
- If you are a first-time buyer: For new buyers who are stepping into the fantastic world of PlayStation for the very first time and want to enjoy the latest PlayStation titles with the best possible experience available from Sony, we would recommend buying a PS5 digital edition. It is available at a lower price than the PS5 standard edition with Blu-Ray disc drive, and provides the best bang for your bucks. You will future-proof yourself in the department of gaming for many years to come with a PS5 in your home.
- If you already own a PS4 console: For PlayStation veterans who already have a PS4 console and are contemplating whether they should upgrade to PS5 or not? Chances are you already have PS4 titles in physical disc format, and as the PS5 offers backward compatibility with PS4 games, we would highly recommend investing in the PS5 standard edition having the Blu-Ray disc drive. This way, you will be able to play your already owned PS4 physical discs and enjoy all the upcoming PS5 exclusive games as well.
- If you want a budget-friendly option: For the gamers who want to enjoy the world of PlayStation without spending too much then, we would recommend buying the PS4, which is still going strong. Most of the games can be found at a discounted rate during the sales, and you can grab yourself a PS4 at a meager cost during the sale period, such as the Amazon Prime Day sale. You can even find great PS4 bundle offers as well. Later, you can always upgrade your PS4 with a PS5 when its prices drop after a few years down the line and play both PS5 and PS4 titles.
