PS4 Slim vs PS4: Which should you buy?

PS4 Slim

When looking for a new PlayStation this is the base model that you should consider. It's not as powerful as the Pro, but it gets the job done and fits just about anywhere with its smaller design.

PS4

There's really no reason you should be picking up an original model PS4 in 2019 since it's discontinued and offers practically no benefits over a PS4 Slim, but the option is there for people who want the original design.

Before you read on, read about the PS5

Since this article was published, a lot has changed in the games industry. This video game generation is coming to an end, ushering in the era of PS5, Sony's latest and greatest console. Though it's not on the market just yet, it will be soon this holiday.

The PS5 brings dramatic performance increases thanks to an ultra-fast SSD and 10.28 TFLOPS GPU running at 2.23 GHz. Its I/O throughput can reach speeds of 5.5GB/s (Raw) and 8-9GB/s (Compressed), transferring incredible amounts of data in an unprecedented amount of time. Simply put, it's going to be very, very good.

What's the difference?

Both the PS4 Slim and the original PS4aren't the best Playstation you can buy in 2019 — that honor goes to the PS4 Pro, but since the latter is discontinued, there's really only one option if you're looking for a base version of the console.

The differences between the original PS4 and PS4 Slim are almost entirely cosmetic. The PS4 Slim is noticeably smaller, and as such is lighter than its older counterpart. Where they differ in terms of performance is minimal. Each sports the same CPU and GPU. The advantage that the PS4 Slim has is that it tends to be quieter and packs a larger hard drive.

What these features mean to you

As I said before, you'll notice that much of the specs between each model remain the same. Both can run PSVR, both are able to run the same games at comparable frame rates and resolutions. Instead of focusing on their similarities, we'll focus on what's different.

Storage

Though the PS4 Slim released with 500GB models on the market, you'll only find ones with 1TB today. This doubles the amount of digital storage, meaning you can download more games, apps, and DLC. If you play games on any sort of regular basis, you'll find that 500GB doesn't cut it anymore. You'll either need to delete games from your library to make room for new ones or you'll just need to cut back on how many games you play entirely.

The original PS4 only comes with a 500GB internal hard drive. It can be upgraded just like the Slim's can, but you'll need to purchase an HDD or SSD separately and do it yourself.

Power consumption

The PS4 consumes nearly 100 watts more than its Slim counterpart during an average gameplay session. Over time this will run up your electricity bill, but the difference for most people will be negligible. Still, it's an important aspect to note for those who are eco-friendly and are looking to cut back on electricity usage in whatever ways possible.

Dimensions and weight

These probably need little explanation. The PS4 Slim, as its name suggests, weighs less and is 40% smaller than the original PS4 model. The design itself is similar, so it's not a complete departure and still fits very much within the PS4 family of devices.

Bottom line

Don't get the original PlayStation 4. Just don't. Unless you're looking to add to your collection and want that classic design, it's not worth your money anymore.