With the ninth console generation now very much underway, you might be wondering if it’s still worth picking up a PS4 in 2022. After all, the PS5 surpasses it in pretty much every way; it’s technically superior, and it can play PS4 games, so if you can get ahold of a PS5, surely that’s the better option. The answer may actually be more complex than that for a number of reasons. If you’re considering buying a PS4 this year, read on. Here are just some of the reasons why it’s still worth getting a PS4 in 2022.
The PS4 still has a web browser
For many, this will be a somewhat niche reason to pick up a PS4, but for others, it will be crucial to their purchasing decision. The PS4 still has a web browser that you can access from the user frontend. This is in stark contrast to the PS5, which has removed this feature. That means there’s plenty you can still do with the PS4 that you can’t with its successor; you can try betting online on this website, for example, using your PS4’s browser. If you care about browsing the web on your console, the PS4 is a no-brainer.
The PS5 is not readily available yet
At present, there’s pretty much no way to just walk into a high street retailer and order a PS4. Availability is still extremely low; the console is in short supply, with many scalpers selling it at a ludicrous markup. This means that even if the PS5 is the superior console, you just can’t get it right now without queueing up or getting lucky with timings. There are sites out there dedicated to spotting PS5 stock, so it’s pretty much impossible just to happen upon a PS5 for sale at retail price right now.
There’s still a huge PS4 library to enjoy
Don’t let not being able to get a PS5 get you down. The PS4 has a massive game library to enjoy; it’s been on release for eight years, and over that time, it’s built up a huge collection of games that are essential to experience. From the JRPG delights of Persona 5 and Final Fantasy VII Remake to the horror landscapes of Bloodborne and the deep emotional narratives of God of War and The Last of Us, there’s plenty to enjoy on PS4 without needing to buy Sony’s bigger, beefier new console.
The PS4 can do lots of things the PS5 can
Although you obviously won’t be able to play PS5 games on your PS4, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the console’s other functions. Services like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Video are all available on PS4, and you can still watch your own content if it’s stored on the console. Lots of games that are available for PS5 also have PS4 versions, so you can still download and play those, and if they support crossplay then you can enjoy them with your friends, even if they’re playing on PS5!
The PS4 has a Blu-ray drive
Okay, so the PS4 doesn’t have the PS5’s 4K Blu-ray drive. However, if you have regular Blu-ray discs, your PS4 will still play them with no issues. It’s unfortunate that the PS4 Pro, which is the upgraded model of Sony’s last-gen machine, doesn’t have a 4K Blu-ray drive, but if you don’t have a 4K display, this doesn’t really matter anyway. Rest assured that the PS4 will still play your collection of physical media (unless it’s specifically a 4K UHD Blu-ray disc, of course).
The PS4 is cheaper than the PS5
If you’ve still yet to play any games in the eighth console generation, then price could be a huge factor in picking up a PS4 in 2022. You’ll pay significantly less for a new PS4 than you would for a PS5; even if you pick up a used PS4 Pro (which is the only way to buy one since Sony unfortunately discontinued the model a little while back), you’ll still be paying less than you would for the new machine. Of course, the technical capabilities will be less impressive, but if you’re upgrading from the PS3, you’ll still notice a massive difference.
PS Plus still supports the PS4
Each month, if you’re a PS Plus subscriber, you get three games as part of your subscription. One of these games is a PS5 title (although it’s often also playable on PS4), while the other two are PS4 games. This means that if you have a PS4, you’re still getting two games on PS Plus at no additional cost. You won’t be able to play them if you cancel your subscription for whatever reason, but if you mainly play games on your PlayStation, a PS Plus subscription is an absolute no-brainer anyway.
You can play PS Now on PS4
If you’ve got a sturdy internet connection and you’re a PlayStation gamer, then you may wish to consider PS Now. This service lets you stream games via the cloud directly to your console, bypassing any install requirements or download waiting times. It’s worth saying that PS Now does require an extremely robust connection; any waver or glitch in your uptime will mean that the game experiences issues and you might see a drop in quality. However, you can still enjoy PS Now on PS4, so there’s no need to upgrade to PS5 if this is the main way you’re intending to experience your games.
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