Sony Unveils Upgraded PlayStation 4 Pro, Includes 4K & HDR Capabilities

Following Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 7, Sony held its own conference in New York City yesterday, unveiling the long-awaited PlayStation 4 Pro, and it’s slimmer counterpart, the PlayStation 4 Slim.

PlayStation 4 Pro & PlayStation 4 Slim

Teased at E3 this past year under the code name “Neo,” the new console will be available on November 10 and is priced at $399. For those seeking a high performance video and gaming box on a budget, the PlayStation 4 Slim will sell at $299, with both consoles being interoperable. No need to throw out your previous game collection either, as older games can be patched to work with the new devices using a program called Forward Compatibility. The patch will add the graphics adjustments to improve older game performance.

The most notable change under the hood of the Pro is the ability for 4K playback, and its Netflix and YouTube apps will support 4K and HDR streaming from those services. Perhaps most disappointing to potential consumers—and likely making Microsoft very happy—is the decision to not include 4K Blu-Ray disc playback. There is still a Blu-Ray player, one that is of such good repute that even the Criterion Collection used it as a reference screening room player. This makes the PlayStation 4 Pro perfect for gamers, less so for those who also want the highest-quality home theater experience possible. Of the PlayStation 4 Slim, it’s biggest features are a more compact design and energy-efficient system.