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?
What has been part of PC gamers' daily bread for what feels like millennia is also becoming a topic for console gamers: upgrading. The PS4 Pro is a performance upgrade of the normal PS4. It plays exactly the same games, but manages higher resolutions and squeezes more frames out of the games. Next year, Microsoft will follow suit with the Xbox One Scorpio, which is supposed to be even faster, and even the Nintendo 3DS received an upgrade a year ago. But don't worry, you don't have to be a hobbyist. The only tool you need is your wallet.
A scoop on top
The PS4 Pro is roughly the same size as the original PS4 and adds a third level to the design. It's a few centimetres taller, but that's not really noticeable. Visually, I even like it a little better - somehow it looks even more futuristic. I'm particularly pleased about the return of the physical buttons. The on/off and eject buttons can be pressed properly again. With a satisfying click, even. I like it worlds better than that haptic gugus where I could never remember which button was which.
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
The additional power of the PS4 Pro is primarily invested in a rendering process developed by Sony called Checkerboard. This allows the image to be artificially upscaled to 3840x2160 pixels, i.e. 4K, with astonishing sharpness and quality. It clearly stands out from the usual upscaling that all televisions are actually capable of in some way. However, it must first be implemented by the game. The PS4 Pro achieves full 4K resolution for a few titles even without the help of checkerboarding.
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
If the PS4 Pro is connected to a Full HD TV, the console still renders in higher resolution, but then reduces it back to 1080p using downsampling, which results in better picture quality. At the same time, you can expect more stable or even higher frame rates. IGN has created a clear list of which games will be improved and how.
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"
The multiplayer shooter from Dice is a prime example for the PS4 Pro. The game relies on dynamic resolution, which increases to 1656p in the single-player campaign on the Pro. Compared to the standard PS4, the picture is significantly better and the frame rate is also considerably higher. However, it does not quite match the quality of the ultra settings on the PC. Note: The latest software update is said to have apparently led to a graphics downgrade on the PS4 Pro.
"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"
On a 4K TV you get either 3200x1800 pixels at 60fps with HDR or native 4K at 30fps. This makes the already first-class remastered version look even more fantastic. A real treat. On a full HD TV, however, you don't get HDR and the performance is sometimes worse than on the standard PS4, writes Eurogamer. Unacceptable.
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.
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.
I like the fact that players are usually given the choice of whether they prefer better quality or more frames per second. I definitely prefer better image quality, as I also notice lower frame rates less quickly with the pad compared to the PC with mouse and keyboard. Others will prefer a more stable frame rate, which can sometimes fall below the 30fps brand on the PS4 for certain titles. Especially at 1080p (whether on a 4K TV or a Full HD), the Pro ensures almost consistently better performance and slightly better picture quality at the same time. The loading times are also slightly shorter.
The lack of a UHD Blu-ray drive is a shame, but considering how few UHD films are currently available to buy, it's easy to get over. The PS4 Pro is a really good offer at a fair price. For anyone who doesn't yet own a PS4, I would recommend the Pro despite the higher price compared to the standard version. The surcharge is worth it. If you already own a PS4, you have to ask yourself how much the limited frame rate has bothered you so far or how important slightly better picture quality is to you. If you also own a PS VR, the decision is even easier - even if the lack of HDR is extremely annoying.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.