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 consoles, it competed with Microsoft’s Xbox One and Nintendo’s Wii U and Switch.
The PS4 uses a different design than the PlayStation 3. It includes an APU from AMD, which is built on the x86-64 architecture. This APU can reach up to 1.84 teraflops of power, which AMD called the most powerful APU it had created at that time. The console focuses more on connecting with other devices and services. It allows players to play games on devices like the PlayStation Vita ("Remote Play") and share gameplay with others online or let friends control the game remotely ("Share Play"). The controller was also redesigned with updated buttons, analog sticks, and a built-in touchpad. The PS4 supports HDR10 for better video quality and can play 4K resolution media.
The PlayStation 4 received positive reviews from critics, who praised Sony for listening to gamers’ needs, supporting independent game developers, and avoiding strict digital rights management rules that 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, which had a better GPU and faster CPU for improved performance and 4K support. 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 Mark Cerny, the main designer of Sony's fourth video game console, work on the system started as early as 2008.
Less than two years before, the PlayStation 3 had been released after many delays caused by production problems. These delays made Sony nearly a year behind Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was already selling close to 10 million units by the time the PS3 launched. Jim Ryan, the leader of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said Sony wanted to avoid making the same mistake with the next version of the PlayStation.
When designing the system, Sony worked with Bungie, a software company that gave suggestions about the controller and how to improve it for shooting games. In 2012, Sony sent development kits to game makers. These kits included a special computer with an AMD Accelerated Processing Unit chipset. The kits were called "Orbis."
In early 2013, Sony announced an event called PlayStation Meeting 2013, which would take place in New York City, U.S., on February 20, 2013. The event was meant to discuss the "future of PlayStation." At the event, Sony officially introduced the PlayStation 4. It shared details about the console's hardware and new features. Sony also showed real-time footage of games being made and some technical demonstrations. The design of the console was shown in June at E3 2013. The suggested prices were $399 in North America, €399 in Europe, and £349 in the UK. Sony used problems Microsoft faced with its Xbox One, such as its higher price ($499 in North America) and strict rules about sharing game media, to highlight the PS4's advantages, including its lower cost and easier media sharing.
Sony shared release dates for North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia, along with final details, during a press event at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, on August 20, 2013. The console was released on November 15, 2013, in the U.S. and Canada, followed by additional releases on November 29, 2013. By the end of 2013, the PS4 was available in more countries in Europe, Asia, and South America. In Japan, the PS4 was released on February 22, 2014, for ¥39,980.
In May 2014, Sony made a deal with the Chinese government to sell its products in mainland China. The PS4 was the first product offered there. Kazuo Hirai, Sony's CEO, said, "The Chinese market is clearly a large market for video games… I think we will be able to have the same success with the PS4 in China as we have in other parts of the world."
In September 2015, Sony lowered the price of the PS4 in Japan to ¥34,980, with similar reductions in other Southeast Asian countries. The first official PS4 bundle under £300 in the UK was the "Uncharted Nathan Drake Collection 500GB" for £299.99, released on October 9, 2015. A 1 TB version was also available for £329.99 at the same time. In North America, the PS4's price dropped by $50 to $349.99 (US) and by $20 to $429.99 (Canada) on October 9, 2015. Europe followed with a price cut to €349.99/£299.99 in late October 2015.
On June 10, 2016, Sony confirmed it was working on a new version of the PlayStation 4, called "Neo," which was designed to support 4K gameplay. This model was sold alongside the original PS4, and all software worked on both versions. Sony said it would not divide the market but would allow players on the Neo model to enjoy higher-resolution graphics while keeping the same overall experience. The new model, called PlayStation 4 Pro, was officially announced on September 7, 2016. At the same time, Sony introduced a smaller version of the original PS4.
In May 2018, John Kodera, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, told investors the PlayStation 4 was nearing the end of its lifespan and that hardware sales would likely decrease. He said Sony would focus on improving user engagement through new first-party games and online services. Kodera added, "We will use the next three years to prepare for the next step, to crouch down so that we can jump higher in the future."
After the PlayStation 5 launched in November 2020, Sony stopped making the PS4 in Japan except for the 500 GB Slim model on January 5, 2021. The standard PS4 and PS4 Pro continued to be made for Western markets. A report from Bloomberg News in January 2022 said Sony planned to stop producing the PS4 by the end of 2021 to focus on the PS5. However, a global chip shortage from 2020 to 2023 made it hard to meet PS5 demand. Instead, Sony decided to keep making the PS4 to help with the PS5 shortage and maintain relationships with component suppliers.
Hardware
The PlayStation 4 uses technology similar to modern personal computers. This design helps game studios create games for the PS4 more easily and at a lower cost.
Sony and AMD developed a special chip called an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) for the PS4. This chip combines a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and other parts like a memory controller and video decoder. The CPU has two 28 nm quad-core Jaguar modules, totaling 8 cores. Seven of these cores are used for game development. The GPU has 18 compute units and can reach a peak performance of 1.84 TFLOPS. The system uses GDDR5 memory, which can run at 2.75 GHz (5500 MT/s) and has a memory bandwidth of 176 GB/s. The PS4 has 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, 16 times more than the PS3. This helps the console last longer. Additional chips handle tasks like downloading, uploading, and social gameplay, even when the console is in sleep mode. The console also has an audio module that supports in-game chat and many audio streams. All PS4 models support high dynamic range (HDR) color.
The PS4’s optical drive can read Blu-ray Discs up to three times faster than the previous model. It includes a hardware module for decompressing data quickly. The original PS4 supports 1080p and 1080i video, while the Pro model supports 4K resolution. The console has a 500 GB hard drive, which users can upgrade. System Software 4.50, released on March 9, 2017, allows external USB hard drives up to 8 TB for extra storage.
The PS4 includes Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and two USB 3.0 ports. It also has an auxiliary port for the PlayStation Camera, a motion-detection camera first introduced on the PS3. A mono headset is included with the system. Audio/video output options include HDMI and optical S/PDIF. The console does not have analog audio/video outputs.
The PS4 has a "Rest mode" feature that puts the console in a low-power state. Users can resume their game or app quickly, and the console can download updates while in this state.
The DualShock 4 is the PS4’s main controller. It has a similar design to earlier DualShock models but includes improvements. The analog stick caps are concave, the triggers and shoulder buttons are refined, the D-pad has a steeper angle for a resting space, and the hand grips are thicker with microtexturing. A touchpad is added, which can detect two touches at once and act as a button. The "Start" and "Select" buttons are replaced with "Options" and "Share," the latter for social features like streaming and screenshots. The controller uses a non-removable lithium-ion battery, charged via micro USB. It has an internal speaker and a headphone jack. A headset is included with the system.
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 motion and can show visual effects in games. The PS4 uses Bluetooth for wireless connectivity but is not compatible with PS3 controllers. PlayStation Move motion controllers are supported with the PlayStation Camera. In 2013, Sony said the DualShock 4 would support basic functions on a PC. In 2016, Sony released a USB wireless adapter for full PC compatibility. Valve’s Steam platform also added support for the DualShock 4.
A revised DualShock 4 was released with the PS4 Slim and Pro models in 2016. It has a stripe on the touchpad for the light bar’s LEDs 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 an 85° field of view. The two cameras can work together for depth sensing or separately for video and motion tracking. It also has a four-channel microphone array to reduce background noise and support voice commands. Face detection allows users to log in automatically.
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 for 3D audio and video output. It can also be used with PlayStation Move motion controllers.
Software and services
The PlayStation 4 uses an operating system named "Orbis OS," which is based on a version of FreeBSD 9.
The console can be used without an Internet connection, but more features are available when connected.
The console has a customizable menu called the "PlayStation Dynamic Menu." This menu offers different color options and shows the player's profile, recent activity, notifications, and unlocked trophies. It supports multiple user accounts, each with unique pass-codes. Players can choose to share their real name or use a nickname for privacy. Facebook profiles can be linked to PlayStation Network accounts, helping users identify friends. The main screen displays real-time updates from friends, such as shared media and recently played games. Third-party services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are accessible through the menu. During gameplay, users can multitask by opening the browser or managing party chat. Switching between apps is done by pressing the "PS" button twice.
Voice control is enabled using the PlayStation Camera or a microphone. Users can say "PlayStation" to activate voice commands, which allow actions like starting a game, taking screenshots, or saving videos. A list of available commands can be viewed by saying "All Commands."
The PlayStation 4 supports Blu-ray and DVD playback, including 3D Blu-ray. It no longer plays CDs because it lacks an infrared laser. Custom music and video files can be played from USB drives or DLNA servers using the Media Player app.
The console provides access to free and paid services through PlayStation Network, such as the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Plus subscription, PlayStation Music (powered by Spotify), and PlayStation Video (for renting or buying TV shows and movies). A U.S.-only streaming service called PlayStation Vue began testing in late 2014. Sony plans to expand its services over time. Unlike the PlayStation 3, most multiplayer games on the PlayStation 4 require a PlayStation Plus membership, except for free-to-play or subscription-based games.
Smartphones, tablets, and the PlayStation Vita can interact with the PlayStation 4 as second-screen devices and can wake the console from sleep mode. A Sony Xperia device or PlayStation Vita can stream gameplay to handhelds, allowing supported games to be played remotely. Sony aims to make all PS4 games playable on the PlayStation Vita. Developers can add Vita-specific controls for Remote Play. This feature was later expanded to include Windows and Mac computers. An update in April 2016 allowed Remote Play on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Mac 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 games from the console and have them downloaded remotely, watch live streams of other gamers, and view in-game maps while playing.
Social features
The PS4 console includes a feature called Ustream, which allows gamers to create, direct, and share their own video game content. This is possible simply by playing games and using the console's tools.
Sony emphasized the importance of "social" features in the PS4. While the console has improved its social tools, these features are not required and can be turned off if desired.
Users can create or join online groups based on shared interests. These groups offer discussion boards, the ability to view game highlights and achievements from other members, and options to chat with others or play cooperative games together. Sony explained that these communities help players connect with others who enjoy similar games, especially when working together on challenging multiplayer tasks. However, Sony has announced that the community system on the PlayStation Network will no longer be available after April 2021. This change will not stop users from sending private messages or joining group chats on the PlayStation Network.
The DualShock 4 controller has a "SHARE" button. This button lets players review the last 60 minutes of gameplay to choose a screenshot or video clip to share. Players can upload these clips directly to the PlayStation Network or to websites like Dailymotion, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Alternatively, they can copy the media to a USB drive and upload it to a preferred website. A free app called ShareFactory allows users to edit videos by cutting scenes, adding music or voiceover, and using green screen effects. Later updates added features such as picture-in-picture layouts, photo collages, and animated GIFs.
Gamers can watch live gameplay of friends' sessions using the PS4 interface. This includes viewing through a shared camera and microphone, watching silently, or broadcasting their own gameplay live to websites like DailyMotion, Twitch, Ustream, Niconico, or YouTube Gaming. Others can view and comment on the broadcast from different devices or web browsers. If a user is not streaming, a friend can send a "Request to Watch" message to join the session.
The "Share Play" feature allows users to invite a friend online to join their game session, even if the friend does not own the game. The user can give the friend full control of the game or play together as if they were in the same room. This feature is useful for helping a friend overcome difficult parts of a game. Mark Cerny, a Sony engineer, explained that players can take over control remotely if a friend is stuck. Share Play requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and can only be used for one hour at a time.
Games
Each PlayStation 4 console comes with a game called The Playroom already installed. This game shows how the DualShock 4 controller and PlayStation Camera work. To play The Playroom, the PlayStation Camera is needed. If the camera is not present, 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 also available for download from the PlayStation Store. These games are not limited to specific regions, meaning a game bought in one area can be played on any PlayStation 4 console worldwide. Players can access their digital game collection on any PS4 console they sign into. All games must be installed on the console’s storage. A feature called "PlayGo" lets users start playing parts of a game, such as the first level, once the download or installation reaches a certain point. The rest of the game continues to download or install in the background. Game updates and system software updates also download in the background while the console is not in use. In the future, users will be able to browse and stream games using Gaikai to try them quickly. Sony plans to offer more free-to-play games, such as PlanetSide 2 and War Thunder. Sony also made it easier for independent developers to release games on the PS4 by allowing them to publish their own games without needing help from others.
The PlayStation 4 cannot play 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 high definition and support features like sharing with friends 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. Users can buy games individually or pay a monthly fee to access them. This service was created because the PS4 hardware could not play older PlayStation 3 games directly. The United States Open Beta for PlayStation Now started on July 31, 2014. The official launch 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" series of games, which let players use their mobile devices and special apps to control the games. 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 released on November 14, 2018. In 2019, the game Erica was delayed and did not include PlayLink features, even though it was planned to have them at the 2017 Paris Games Week. In 2020, Sony confirmed that PS4 PlayLink games 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 Android devices running version 9 or 11 due to compatibility issues. iOS users were not affected. Some PlayLink apps, like Battleship by Ubisoft, have been released outside of the PlayStation platform.
Release
The PlayStation 4 was developed through teamwork between companies in the East and West, rather than one group making all the decisions. Game developers were actively involved in the process, working together on creative projects.
Before the console was released, many developers and journalists had positive reactions. Mark Rein from Epic Games praised the improved design of Sony’s system, calling it "a great piece of hardware." John Carmack, a programmer from id Software, said Sony made smart engineering choices. Randy Pitchford from Gearbox Software was happy with the amount of fast memory included in the console. Eurogamer also noted that the graphics technology in the PS4 was impressive, an improvement over the challenges faced by developers on the PlayStation 3.
Many industry experts said the PlayStation 4 performed better than the Xbox One. Game developers told Edge magazine that the difference in performance was "clear" and "obvious." ExtremeTech stated that the PS4’s graphics processing unit had a "big advantage" over the Xbox One. However, games that use the same assets on both systems may look "very similar." In other cases, developers could use the PS4’s extra power to improve frame rate or resolution. Games made by Sony’s own studios that fully use the hardware may look "much better" than those on the Xbox One.
Sony addressed concerns about digital rights management (DRM) rules that could prevent people from reselling 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, added that online passes would not be allowed and that the policies were designed to be "friendly to consumers, retailers, and publishers." IGN praised Sony’s approach to indie developers and game trading, saying most gamers would agree that the PS4 is the better choice. IGN also liked the PS4’s removable and upgradable hard drive, which gave it an advantage over the Xbox One.
GameSpot called the PlayStation 4 "the gamer’s choice for next-generation" because of its price, lack of restrictive DRM rules, 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 out of 10, praising the DualShock 4 controller’s design and social features but criticizing the console’s lack of software features and underuse of the controller’s touchpad. The Gadget Show also 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 different categories, and the PS4 won every category, earning the People’s Choice Award.
Soon after its release, some games available on multiple platforms looked better on the PS4. For example, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag ran at 1080p on the PS4 but at lower resolutions on the Xbox One.
Demand for the PlayStation 4 was very high. In August 2013, Sony announced over a million preorders for the console. In North America alone, one million units sold on the first day of release. In the UK, the PS4 became the best-selling console at launch, selling 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, with over 9.7 million software units sold. By February 2014, Sony had sold over 5.3 million units in North America and Western/Central Europe. In Japan, 322,083 units sold in the first two days of its release. By April 2014, software sales reached 20.5 million units. During Japan’s 2013 fiscal year, strong demand 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 month in a row.
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 exceeded 35 million units. By May 2016, worldwide sales reached 40 million units. As of December 2018, over 91 million PS4 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 console of all time, behind the PlayStation 2.
As of June 2015, the PlayStation 4 held 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. Later models have added or removed features, and each model has special versions called Limited Edition consoles.
On September 7, 2016, Sony announced a hardware update of the PlayStation 4, model number CUH-2000, commonly known as the PlayStation 4 Slim. This model replaced the original PS4. It has a smaller size and shape than the original, with a rounded body and a matte finish on the top instead of a two-tone finish. The front USB ports were updated to the newer USB 3.1 standard and spaced farther apart. The optical audio port was removed. 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 priced the same as the original PS4. On April 18, 2017, Sony replaced the base model with a 1 TB version at the same price.
The PlayStation 4 Pro (codenamed Neo, model number CUH-7000) was announced on September 7, 2016, and launched worldwide on November 10, 2016. It is an improved version of the PlayStation 4 with better hardware to enable 4K rendering and improved PlayStation VR performance. It has a more powerful GPU with 4.2 teraflops of processing power and hardware support for checkerboard rendering. It also has a faster CPU. Like the PS4 Slim, it supports USB 3.1, Bluetooth 4.0, and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi. The PS4 Pro includes 1 GB of DDR3 memory used to manage background applications, allowing games to use an extra 512 MB of the console’s GDDR5 memory. While it can stream 4K video, it does not support Ultra HD Blu-ray. The Pro model was priced at $399 (North America), €399 (Europe), and £349 (UK).
Games labeled as PS4 Pro Enhanced have special improvements when played on the Pro, such as 4K graphics or better performance. For other games, a feature called "Boost Mode" was added in system software version 4.5. This option increases the CPU and GPU speeds to improve performance.
Achieving 4K resolution involves specific techniques and hardware. PlayStation technical leader Mark Cerny explained that Sony could not force 4K without making the console larger or more expensive. Instead, the console uses streamlined rendering techniques, advanced anti-aliasing algorithms, and features from the AMD Polaris architecture. Checkerboard rendering is a key method, where the console renders parts of a scene in a checkerboard pattern and fills in the missing parts with algorithms. This technique, combined with anti-aliasing filters, makes the image appear close to 4K. Hermen Hulst of Guerrilla Games noted that the PS4 Pro can produce visuals that look nearly identical to 4K.
The PS4 Pro supports Remote Play, Share Play, and streaming up to 1080p resolution 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 new PS4 Pro version (model number CUH-7100) with updated internal parts. The hardware and performance remained the same as the original PS4 Pro, but the revised model had a slightly quieter fan that operated at a slightly higher temperature under heavy use. In October 2018, Sony released another revision (model number CUH-7200), initially included in Red Dead Redemption 2 hardware bundles. This version had a different power supply with the same cord type as the Slim model and included further improvements to reduce noise.