The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console made by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was introduced in February 2013 as the next version of the PlayStation 3. The console was released on November 15, 2013, in North America; November 29, 2013, in Europe, South America, and Australia; and February 22, 2014, in Japan. As part of the eighth generation of gaming consoles, it competes with Microsoft’s Xbox One and Nintendo’s Wii U and Switch.
The PS4 uses a different design than its predecessor, the PlayStation 3. It includes an APU from AMD based on the x86-64 architecture, which AMD said was the most powerful APU it had ever created. This APU can reach a maximum performance of 1.84 teraflops. The console also focuses more on connecting with other devices and services. It allows players to play games on other devices like the PlayStation Vita through a feature called "Remote Play." It also lets users stream gameplay online or share it with friends, who can control the game remotely through "Share Play." The controller was redesigned with improved buttons, analog sticks, and an added touchpad. The console supports HDR10 video and can play 4K resolution media.
The PlayStation 4 received praise from critics and users. Many appreciated Sony’s focus on meeting consumer needs, supporting independent game developers, and avoiding strict digital rights management rules, which Microsoft had planned for the Xbox One. Before its release, critics and game studios also highlighted the PS4’s strong performance compared to its competitors. High demand helped Sony sell more consoles globally. In September 2016, Sony released a smaller version called the "Slim" and a more powerful version called the PlayStation 4 Pro. The Pro model has a better GPU and faster CPU to improve performance and support 4K resolution in games. By October 2019, the PS4 became the second best-selling PlayStation console in history, after the PlayStation 2. Its successor, the PlayStation 5, was released in November 2020.
History
According to lead architect Mark Cerny, the development of Sony's fourth video game console began as early as 2008.
Less than two years earlier, the PlayStation 3 had been launched after months of delays caused by production problems. These delays made Sony almost a year behind Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was already close to selling 10 million units by the time the PS3 launched. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Jim Ryan said Sony wanted to avoid repeating the same mistakes with the PS3's successor.
In designing the system, Sony worked with software developer Bungie, who gave their ideas on the controller and how to improve it for shooting games. In 2012, Sony began shipping development kits to game developers. These kits included a modified PC running the AMD Accelerated Processing Unit chipset. These development kits were called "Orbis."
In early 2013, Sony announced that an event called PlayStation Meeting 2013 would be held in New York City, U.S., on February 20, 2013, to talk about the "future of PlayStation." Sony officially announced the PlayStation 4 at the event. It shared details about the console's hardware and discussed new features. Sony also showed real-time footage of games being developed and some technical demonstrations. The design of the console was revealed in June at E3 2013, and the initial recommended retail prices were set at $399 (North America), €399 (Europe), and £349 (UK). Sony used problems that Microsoft had with the Xbox One, such as its higher price ($499 in North America) and strict rules about sharing game media, to highlight the PS4's lower cost and easier media sharing.
The company shared release dates for North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia, along with final details, at a Gamescom press event in Cologne, Germany, on August 20, 2013. The console was released on November 15, 2013, in the United States and Canada, followed by additional releases on November 29, 2013. By the end of 2013, the PS4 was launched in more European, Asian, and South American countries. The PS4 was released in Japan on February 22, 2014, at a price of ¥39,980.
Sony finalized a deal with the Chinese government in May 2014 to sell its products in mainland China, and the PS4 was the first product released there. Kazuo Hirai, Sony's chief executive officer, said in May: "The Chinese market, because of its size, is clearly a very large market for video game products… I think we will be able to repeat the success we had with the PS4 in other parts of the world in China."
In September 2015, Sony lowered the price of the PS4 in Japan to ¥34,980, with similar price reductions in other Southeast Asian markets. The first official PS4 bundle under £300 was the £299.99 "Uncharted Nathan Drake Collection 500GB," released in the UK on October 9, 2015. A 1 TB version priced at £329.99 was also available at the same time. On October 9, 2015, Sony announced a $50 price reduction for the PS4 in North America, lowering the cost to $349.99 (US) and $429.99 (Canada). A price cut in Europe followed in late October 2015, reducing the cost to €349.99/£299.99.
On June 10, 2016, Sony confirmed that a hardware revision of the PlayStation 4, rumored to be called "Neo," was being developed. This new version was designed to support 4K gameplay. The new model was sold alongside the original PS4, and all existing software was compatible between the two. Layden stated that Sony had no plans to "bifurcate the market," but that gamers on the Neo would "have the same experience, but one will be delivered at a higher resolution, with an enhanced graphical experience, but everything else is exactly as you'd expect." The high-end console was officially named PlayStation 4 Pro and revealed on September 7, 2016. At the same time, Sony introduced an updated version of the original PS4 with a smaller size.
In May 2018, during a presentation to investors, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO John Kodera said the PlayStation 4 was approaching the end of its lifecycle and that the company expected hardware sales to decrease. He explained that Sony would address the decline by focusing on "strengthening user engagement," including continued investments in new first-party games and online services for PS4. Kodera added in an interview with the press, "We will use the next three years to prepare the next step, to crouch down so that we can jump higher in the future."
After the launch of the PlayStation 5 in November 2020, Sony stopped producing all PS4 models in Japan except the 500 GB Slim version on January 5, 2021. The standard PS4 and PS4 Pro were still produced for Western markets. According to a report from Bloomberg News in January 2022, Sony had planned to stop producing the PS4 by the end of 2021 in favor of the PlayStation 5. However, a global chip shortage from 2020 to 2023 made it difficult for Sony to meet PlayStation 5 demand. Instead, the
Hardware
The technology inside the PlayStation 4 is similar to the parts found in modern personal computers. This similarity helps game studios create games for the PS4 more easily and at a lower cost.
Sony and AMD worked together to design the PlayStation 4’s Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). The APU combines a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU), along with other parts like a memory controller and video decoder. The CPU has two 28 nm quad-core Jaguar modules, totaling 8 64-bit x86-64 cores. Seven of these cores are available for game developers to use. The GPU has 18 compute units and can reach a theoretical peak performance of 1.84 TFLOPS. The system uses GDDR5 memory that can run at a maximum speed of 2.75 GHz (5500 MT/s) and has a memory bandwidth of 176 GB/s. The console has 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, which is 16 times more than the PS3’s memory. This helps the PS4 last longer. The console also includes custom chips that handle tasks like downloading, uploading, and social gameplay. These tasks can happen in the background during gameplay or when the system is in sleep mode. The console has an audio module that supports in-game chat and a large number of audio streams. All PlayStation 4 models support high dynamic range (HDR) color profiles.
The PS4’s optical drive can read Blu-ray Discs up to three times faster than the previous model. The console has a hardware module that can decompress data quickly. The original PS4 supports 1080p and 1080i video, while the Pro model supports 4K resolution. The console includes a 500 gigabyte hard drive for extra storage, which users can upgrade. System Software 4.50, released on March 9, 2017, allowed external USB hard drives up to 8 TB for additional storage.
The PS4 has Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, Bluetooth, and two USB 3.0 ports. It also has an auxiliary port for connecting to the PlayStation Camera, a motion detection device first introduced on the PS3. The system includes a mono headset that connects to the DualShock 4 controller. Audio/video outputs include HDMI TV and optical S/PDIF audio. The console does not have analog audio/video output.
The PS4 has a "Rest mode" feature that puts the console in a low-power state. Users can quickly resume their game or app after waking the console. The console can also download updates and content while in this mode.
The DualShock 4 is the main controller for the PS4. It has a similar design to earlier DualShock models but includes new features. The analog sticks have a concave shape, the triggers and shoulder buttons are redesigned, the D-pad has a steeper angle for a resting spot, and the hand grips are thicker with microtexturing. A new touchpad allows up to two simultaneous touches and can be pressed like a button. The "Start" and "Select" buttons were replaced with "Options" and "Share" buttons. The "Share" button lets users access social features like streaming and recording. The controller uses a non-removable lithium-ion battery that charges via a micro USB port. It has an internal speaker and a headphone jack. The system includes headset earbuds.
The DualShock 4’s motion tracking is more sensitive than the PS3’s controllers. An LED light bar on the controller helps the PlayStation Camera track its motion and can show visual effects in games. The controller uses Bluetooth for wireless connectivity but is not compatible with PS3 controllers. PlayStation Move motion controllers, however, work with the PlayStation Camera. In 2013, Sony said the DualShock 4 could support basic functions on a PC. In 2016, Sony released a USB wireless adapter for full PC compatibility. Valve’s Steam platform later added support for the DualShock 4.
A revised version of the DualShock 4 came with the "Slim" and Pro models in 2016. It has a stripe on the touchpad for the light bar to shine through and can communicate wirelessly when connected to the console via USB.
The PlayStation Camera is an optional motion sensor and camera for the PS4, similar to the Kinect on Xbox. It has two 1280×800 pixel lenses with an f/2.0 aperture and a 30 cm focusing distance. The two cameras can work together for depth sensing or separately for video and motion tracking. The camera has a four-channel microphone array to reduce background noise and support voice commands. It can also log users in automatically using face detection.
PlayStation VR is a virtual reality system for the PS4. It includes a headset with a 1080p display, LED lights for motion tracking, and a control box that handles 3D audio and video output. It can also use PlayStation Move motion controllers.
Software and services
The PlayStation 4 uses an operating system called "Orbis OS," which is built using a special version of FreeBSD 9.
The console does not need an Internet connection to work, but more features become available when connected.
The console includes a customizable menu called the "PlayStation Dynamic Menu." This menu has different color options and shows the player's profile, recent activities, notifications, and unlocked trophies. It supports multiple user accounts, each with its own pass-code. Players can choose to share their real name or use a nickname when needed. Facebook profiles can be linked to PlayStation Network accounts, helping users identify friends. The main screen displays real-time updates from friends. The "What's New" section shows shared media, recently played games, and other updates. Services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video can be accessed through the menu. During gameplay, users can switch between tasks, such as opening a browser or managing chat, by pressing the "PS" button twice.
The PlayStation Camera or a microphone allows users to control the system with voice commands. Players can use voice to start games, take screenshots, or save videos. Saying "PlayStation" activates voice control, and "All Commands" lists available options.
The PlayStation 4 supports Blu-ray and DVD playback, including 3D Blu-ray. It no longer supports CD playback because it lacks a special laser needed for CDs. Music and video files from USB drives or DLNA servers can still be played using the Media Player app.
The PlayStation 4 provides access to free and paid PlayStation Network (PSN) services, such as the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Plus subscription, PlayStation Music powered by Spotify, and PlayStation Video, which lets users rent or buy TV shows and movies individually. A U.S.-only cloud-based TV service called PlayStation Vue started testing in late 2014. Sony plans to improve these services over time. Unlike the PS3, most multiplayer games require a PlayStation Plus membership, except for free-to-play or subscription-based games.
Smartphones and tablets can work with the PlayStation 4 as secondary screens and can also wake the console from sleep mode. A Sony Xperia smartphone, tablet, or PlayStation Vita can stream gameplay to handheld devices, allowing supported games to be played remotely. Sony aims to make all PS4 games playable on the PlayStation Vita. Developers can add special controls for use with Remote Play. This feature was later expanded to work on Windows and Apple computers. An update in April 2016 added Remote Play support for Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Apple OS X Yosemite and El Capitan. Remote Play supports resolutions of 360p, 540p, and 720p (1080p on PS4 Pro), frame rates of 30–60 FPS, and the DualShock 4 controller connected via USB.
The PlayStation App lets iOS and Android devices interact with the PlayStation 4. Users can purchase PS4 games from the app and have them downloaded to the console, watch live streams of other players, and view in-game maps while playing.
Social features
The PS4 console includes Ustream, which allows gamers to create, produce, and participate in their own video game content by playing games. Sony emphasized the "social" features of the PS4 as an important part of the console. While the PS4 offers improved social tools, these features are not required and can be turned off if desired.
Players can create or join groups based on their interests. These groups include discussion boards, shared game achievements and clips, group chats, and the ability to play cooperative games together. Sony explained that groups help players connect with others who share similar interests, especially when playing challenging multiplayer games with limited friends. Sony announced that the community system on the PlayStation Network will stop working in April 2021. However, users will still be able to send private messages or use group chats on the PlayStation Network.
The DualShock 4 controller has a "SHARE" button that lets players review the last 60 minutes of gameplay to choose a screenshot or video clip to share. Players can upload media directly from the console to other PSN users or websites like Dailymotion, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Alternatively, media can be copied to a USB drive and uploaded to a preferred website. A free app called ShareFactory allows players to edit videos, add music or voice commentary, and use green screen effects. Later updates added options to create picture-in-picture layouts, photo collages, and animated GIFs.
Players can watch live gameplay of games their friends are playing through the PS4 interface, using cross-game camera and microphone input, or choose to spectate silently. They can also broadcast their own gameplay live on platforms like DailyMotion, Twitch, Ustream, Niconico, or YouTube Gaming, allowing others to watch and comment from other devices. If a player is not broadcasting, a friend can send a "Request to Watch" message.
Share Play lets players invite an online friend to join their game session through streaming, even if the friend does not own the game. Players can give full control of the game to the remote user or play cooperatively as if they were in the same room. Mark Cerny explained that this feature helps when facing difficult parts of a game. "You can see a friend is struggling and help them by taking over the controller," he said. Share Play requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and can be used for one hour at a time.
Games
Each PlayStation 4 console comes with a game called The Playroom, which shows how to use the DualShock 4 controller and the PlayStation Camera. The PlayStation Camera is needed to play The Playroom. If a camera is not available, a short video about the game will appear instead of the full game.
PlayStation 4 games are sold in stores on Blu-ray discs and can also be downloaded from the PlayStation Store. These games are not limited to specific regions, so games bought in one area can be played on any PlayStation 4 console. Players can log into any PS4 console to access their digital game collection. All PlayStation 4 games must be stored on the console’s internal memory. A feature called "PlayGo" allows users to start playing parts of a game (like the first level) once the download or installation reaches a certain point, while the rest of the game continues to download or install in the background. Updates to games and system software also download in the background and while the console is in standby mode. In the future, users will be able to browse and instantly stream games using Gaikai to try them out. Sony plans to offer more free-to-play games, such as PlanetSide 2 and War Thunder. Sony also made it easier for independent game developers to release games on the PS4 by allowing them to publish their own games without needing help from others.
The PlayStation 4 is not compatible with discs from older PlayStation consoles. However, some games from the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable systems are available for purchase on the PlayStation Store. These games are improved to look better in high definition and include features that let players share and interact with others on the PS4.
In December 2013, Andrew House said Sony planned to launch a cloud gaming service for the PS4 in North America by the third quarter of 2014, with a European launch in 2015.
At the Consumer Electronics Show on January 7, 2014, Sony introduced PlayStation Now, a service that lets users play PlayStation 3 games on the PS4 through a cloud-based streaming system. Players can buy games individually or pay a subscription fee. The service was not available for all users at first, but the United States Open Beta started on July 31, 2014. The official release in the United States was on January 13, 2015. By March 2015, PlayStation Now was in a closed beta test in the United Kingdom.
At E3 2017, Sony announced the "PlayLink" line of games, which allows players to control games using their mobile devices and companion apps. These apps were released on November 21, 2017, and included games like Knowledge is Power, That's You, Hidden Agenda, SingStar Celebration, and Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier. More games, such as Just Deal With It, Chimparty, WordHunters, UNO, Melbits World, Ticket To Ride, and Knowledge is Power: Decades, were added in November 2018. In 2019, the game Erica was released without the PlayLink feature, even though it was originally planned to include it. In 2020, Sony confirmed that PlayLink games for the PS4 would work on the PlayStation 5. Since 2021, many PlayLink apps have been removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play, including UNO. On December 14, 2023, apps for Chimparty, Frantics, Hidden Agenda, Knowledge is Power, Knowledge is Power: Decades, and That's You were no longer available for new users on Google Play devices running Android 9 or 11 due to compatibility issues, but iOS users were not affected. Some PlayLink apps have also been released outside of PlayStation, such as Battleship by Ubisoft.
Release
The PlayStation 4 was developed through a partnership between companies in the East and West, rather than being controlled by one region alone. Developers played an active role in its creation, working together on new and creative projects.
Before the console was released, many developers and journalists praised it. Mark Rein from Epic Games called the PS4's hardware design "enhanced" and "a phenomenal piece of hardware." John Carmack, a programmer who helped start id Software, said Sony made "wise engineering choices." Randy Pitchford from Gearbox Software was happy with the amount of high-speed memory in the console. Eurogamer also noted that the PS4's graphics technology was "impressive" and an improvement over the PlayStation 3.
Many industry experts said the PS4 performed better than the Xbox One. Game developers told Edge magazine that the difference in performance was "significant" and "obvious." ExtremeTech said the PS4's graphics processing unit had a "serious advantage" over the Xbox One. However, games that use the same assets across platforms may look "very similar." In other cases, designers might use the PS4's extra power to improve frame rates or resolution. Games made by Sony's own studios that fully use the PS4's hardware may look "significantly better" than those on the Xbox One.
Sony addressed concerns about digital rights management (DRM) that could limit the resale of used games. Jack Tretton, a Sony executive, said there would be "no restrictions" on trading or reselling PS4 games on physical media. Scott Rohde, another Sony executive, said the company planned to avoid online passes and designed its policies to be "consumer-friendly, extremely retailer-friendly, and extremely publisher-friendly." IGN praised Sony's support for indie developers and trading games, saying most gamers would agree that "if you care about games like [Sony] do, you'll buy a PlayStation 4." IGN also praised the PS4's removable and upgradable hard drive, calling it an advantage over the Xbox One.
GameSpot called the PlayStation 4 "the gamer's choice for next-generation," citing its price, lack of restrictive DRM, and Sony's efforts to "acknowledge its consumers" and "respect its audience."
The PlayStation 4 received strong reviews from critics. Scott Lowe of IGN gave it an 8.2 rating out of 10, praising the DualShock 4's design and social features but criticizing the lack of software features and underuse of the touchpad. The Gadget Show praised the DualShock 4's new triggers and control sticks and the Remote Play feature but noted the system lacked media support at launch. IGN compared the PS4 and Xbox One across categories, and the PS4 won every category, earning the People's Choice Award.
Soon after its release, it became clear that some games on the PS4 ran at higher resolutions than on other consoles. For example, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag ran at 1080p on the PS4 but at 720p and 900p, respectively, on the Xbox One.
Demand for the PS4 was very strong. In August 2013, Sony announced over a million preorders. During its North American launch, one million PS4 consoles were sold. In the UK, the PS4 sold 250,000 units in 48 hours and 530,000 in the first five weeks.
By the end of 2013, Sony had sold 4.2 million PS4 units and over 9.7 million software units. By February 2014, Sony had sold over 5.3 million units in North America and Western/Central Europe. In Japan, 322,083 PS4 consoles were sold in the first two days of its release. By April 2014, PS4 software sales reached 20.5 million units. In Japan's 2013 fiscal year, strong demand for the PS4 helped Sony surpass Nintendo in global console sales for the first time in eight years.
According to Nielsen data from August 2014, 31% of PS4 sales went to people who previously owned a Wii or Xbox 360 but had not owned a PS3. At Gamescom 2014, Sony announced that 10 million PS4 units had been sold worldwide. By November 2014, the PS4 was the top-selling console in the U.S. for the tenth consecutive month.
In January 2015, Sony confirmed it had sold 18.5 million PS4 units. By March 2015, sales reached over 20 million units, and by November 2015, over 30 million units. By the end of 2015, sales surpassed 35 million units. By May 2016, total worldwide sales reached 40 million units. By December 2018, over 91 million consoles and 876 million games had been sold globally. By October 2019, the PS4 had sold 102.8 million units, making it the second-best-selling video game console of all time, behind the PlayStation 2.
As of June 2015, the PS4 had a market share of at least 70% in all European countries.
Hardware revisions
The PlayStation 4 has been made in several models: the original, the Slim, and the Pro. Each model has different features, and some versions are special editions.
On September 7, 2016, Sony introduced a new version of the PlayStation 4 called the PlayStation 4 Slim (model number CUH-2000). This model replaced the original. It is smaller than the original, with a rounded shape and a matte finish on the top. The Slim is 40% smaller in size. It has two USB 3.1 ports on the front with more space between them, and it no longer has an optical audio port. This model also supports USB 3.1, Bluetooth 4.0, and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi.
The PlayStation 4 Slim was released on September 15, 2016, with a 500 GB version at the same price as the original. On April 18, 2017, Sony changed the base model to a 1 TB version with the same price.
The PlayStation 4 Pro (codenamed Neo, model number CUH-7000) was announced on September 7, 2016, and launched on November 10, 2016. It is an upgraded version of the PlayStation 4 with better hardware. The Pro supports 4K rendering and improved performance for PlayStation VR. It has a more powerful GPU with 4.2 teraflops of processing power and a faster CPU. Like the Slim, it supports USB 3.1, Bluetooth 4.0, and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi. The Pro also has 1 GB of DDR3 memory to manage background tasks, freeing up 512 MB of GDDR5 memory for games. However, it does not support Ultra HD Blu-ray. The Pro model costs $399 in North America, €399 in Europe, and £349 in the UK.
Games labeled as "PS4 Pro Enhanced" have special optimizations for the Pro, such as 4K graphics or better performance. For other games, a feature called "Boost Mode" was added in system software 4.5 to increase CPU and GPU speeds for improved performance.
The PS4 Pro can render games in 4K using specific techniques and hardware. Sony’s technical leader, Mark Cerny, explained that the console uses "streamlined rendering techniques" and "best-in-breed anti-aliasing algorithms" instead of simply increasing resolution. A key method is "checkerboard rendering," where the console renders parts of a scene in a checkerboard pattern and fills in the missing parts using algorithms. Guerrilla Games’ Hermen Hulst said the PS4 Pro’s 4K quality is "perceptively so close [to true 4K] that you wouldn’t be able to see the difference."
The PS4 Pro supports Remote Play, Share Play, and streaming up to 1080p at 60 frames per second. It can also capture screenshots at 2160p and record 1080p video at 30 frames per second.
In late 2017, Sony released a revised PS4 Pro (model number CUH-7100) with updated internal parts. The hardware and performance remained the same, but the fan was slightly quieter, causing the console to run slightly hotter under heavy use. In October 2018, Sony released another revision (model number CUH-7200), initially included in bundles for Red Dead Redemption 2. This version has a new power supply with the same cord type as the Slim and improved sound performance.