Sony announces PlayStation 4 Pro and a thinner and lighter PS4
Sony has revealed at the PlayStation Meeting 2016 in the PlayStation Theatre today (September 7) in Times Square, New York, their new 4K console, PlayStation 4 Pro, and a thinner and lighter model of PS4.
The slimmer PS4 will hit the market on September 16 at $299.99. This console has reduced the volume by 30%, weight by 16%, and even energy consumption by 28% compared to the original PS4 console launched back in 2013.
The PlayStation 4 Pro will be launched on November 11 at a price of $399.99. The console improves PS4 games with the latest technology High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 4K resolution, plus better refreshing rates. Games that already looked great in the PS4, will be further detailed in the PS4 Pro thanks to a more powerful GPU and CPU.
The 4K resolution provides sharper and more detailed graphics. The HDR technology enables images much closer to what our eyes perceive in the real world.
Some developers are updating games that have been released for PS4 to be compatible with PS4 Pro, while others are developing upcoming releases that will be compatible with PS4 Pro.
With the launch of PS4 Pro you can download updates for various games (like Uncharted 4) that will be enhanced in the new console. Future releases that will be PS4 Pro compatible include Call of Duty: Warfare Infinite Horizon: Zero Dawn, Mass Effect: Andromeda and Days Gone.
The following games will support 4K and HDR:
- Battlefield 1
- Spider-Man
- For Honor
- Watch Dogs 2
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remastered
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III
- Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- Days Gone
- Farpoint
- Horizon Zero Dawn
- FIFA 17
- Dishonored 2
- Mass Effect Andromeda
- Final Fantasy XV
In case your TV is just HD without 4K or HDR support, the Pro PS4 still offer a number of benefits. All games will be running at 1080p resolution and some of them will even be played at a higher or more stable cadence.
Netflix will launch a new application with the launch of PS4 Pro that will be compatible with 4K. And YouTube is also developing a 4K compatible application for PS4 Pro.
Sony explains in their press release that all the PS4 models, the original launched in 2013, the slim PS4 and the PS4 Pro will have access to the same library of games. All models are also compatible with the upcoming launch of PlayStation VR in October.
There will be no exclusive gameplay function for PS4 Pro or the PS4 slim. Sony believes that the impact of HDR in video games and entertainment is so promising that all consoles, including the PlayStation 4 model launched in 2013, are supporting the HDR technology.