PS4 Pro tested: Is the upgrade worth it?
16.11.2016
Translation: machine translated
It is a faster and better PS4 that should even enable 4K resolution. Does the PS4 Pro deliver what it promises and is it also interesting for gamers without a 4K TV?
A scoop on top
The PS4 Pro makes everything a little faster, but otherwise you don't notice any difference to the original PS4 when you start it up. In operation, both are about equally loud.
The Dualshock controller is more or less identical to its predecessor, apart from the additional light strip at the top of the touchpad and the slightly greyer buttons.
If you jump into the video settings, you'll find two new options:
- 2160p YUV420
- 2160p RGB.
They denote the 4K resolution of 3840x2160 pixels. The RGB option is only available if you have a suitable TV. If you have a PS VR connected in between, you won't get HDR. The processor unit does not support HDR. I bought a splitter especially for this so that I don't have to constantly reconnect the cables, but unfortunately I was unsuccessful with my model. Recommendations are very welcome.
Gaming in 4K
Most games will receive new menu items after the corresponding PS4 Pro update, such as switching HDR on and off, higher resolution or more performance - the latter is particularly interesting for people who don't have a 4K TV. The additional performance of the PS4 Pro is therefore utilised differently from game to game.
No 4K TV, no problem
Here is a brief overview of how the PS4 Pro games are improved
"Infamous Last Light"
The addon for "Infamous Second Son" looks really fat. The textures look a little sharper, the game runs more smoothly and the HDR really brings out all the neon colours. The game already looked great as normal, but this makes me want to play it again. An ideal candidate for the HDR upgrade.
"Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare"
The PS4 Pro significantly increases the resolution. It fluctuates between 1560p and full 2160p. The frame rate is also much more stable. The result is impressive.
"Battlefield 1"
"Deus Ex: Mankind Divided"
The game scales up to 4K, which is particularly effective in the sci-fi scenario. The performance is generally higher and more stable than on the PS4. In the first mission, however, the frame rate sometimes drops to 20FPS, while the normal PS4 is closer to 30.
"Rise Of The Tomb Raider"
Lara Croft manages a full 3840x2160p at 30fps with checkerboarding. When comparing the image to real 4K on a PC, there is practically no difference. Alternatively, you can set the performance mode and game at 1080p at an almost constant 60fps. Twice as much as the normal version. Owners of full HD TVs also get better graphics thanks to 4K supersampling.
"Watch Dogs 2"
A crisp 1800p at 30fps doesn't sound bad. Unfortunately, the performance cannot be kept constant and there are always slight frame rate drops. The game runs smoothly on the standard PS4. Unfortunately there is no HDR. But it looks very nice when it runs smoothly.
"The Last Of Us Remastered"
As expected, games will benefit more and more from the PS4 Pro in the coming months and years, especially if they are programmed for it from the ground up. However, developers must first familiarise themselves with the new hardware.
And what about PS VR?
The resolution of the PS VR is limited by the display. But you still benefit from the PS4 Pro. Either through more beautiful effects, better performance or a crisper image. The same technology is used as for PS4 games. Games are rendered in a higher resolution and then downscaled, resulting in sharper textures. Ideally, these improvements also reduce dizziness for the user. As already mentioned, HDR is not available for PS VR.
"Robinson The Journey"
The game is already visually one of the best games on the PS VR and now looks a lot sharper and also played a little more pleasantly. However, as I'm obviously one of those people who don't tolerate virtual reality particularly well, I still felt a little sick to my stomach.
"Battlezone"
"Battlezone" receives a number of optimisations such as improved effects and a resolution of 3360x1890p, which is downscaled to 1080p. The game also plays a little more smoothly as a result and the "Tron"-like graphics look crisper.
"Rez Infinite"
"Rez Infinite" renders in native 4K resolution, which provides a little more detail and sharpness. I already had virtually no problems with dizziness and the like on the standard PS4, but found that it was even more pleasant now.
What is noticeable through the tape is that fast head movements produce less motion blur and when you stand still, everything seems a little sharper. The PS VR's display still stinks in comparison with any Full HD display, but the PS4 Pro raises the overall quality a good deal and makes everything a little smoother. Sensitive minds like me are still not completely immune to dizziness, but even I found the PS VR to be a little more pleasant.
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Conclusion: Not a must-have, but a fair deal
Mixed results like in "Watch Dogs 2" are unacceptable when playing on a clearly faster console. Let's hope that it will be fixed with patches from Sony and the game manufacturers and can be attributed to the usual teething problems with launches.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
