PS5 vs PS4: Performance, Price & Games 2026
The PS5 delivers 8-10x faster loading times, supports 4K gaming at up to 120fps, and features a custom SSD with 825GB storage, while the PS4 maxes out at 1080p-1440p at 60fps with traditional HDD storage. The PS5 represents a generational leap in performance and technology.
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
Sony's ninth-generation console with custom AMD CPU/GPU, 825GB SSD, and 4K/120fps gaming capability
Gamers wanting cutting-edge 4K performance, latest AAA releases, and future-proof hardware investment
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
Sony's eighth-generation console released in 2013 with AMD APU, 500GB-1TB HDD, and 1080p-1440p gaming
Budget-conscious gamers, retro gaming enthusiasts, and players content with 1080p-1440p gaming on established PS4 titles
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe PS5 delivers 8-10x faster loading times, supports 4K gaming at up to 120fps, and features a custom SSD with 825GB storage, while the PS4 maxes out at 1080p-1440p at 60fps with traditional HDD storage. The PS5 represents a generational leap in performance and technology.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedThe PS5 is the clear winner for anyone seeking cutting-edge performance, 4K gaming, and next-generation game titles. Choose the PS5 if you want future-proof gaming with the latest AAA releases and advanced graphics. Choose the PS4 only if you're budget-constrained and satisfied with 1080p-1440p gaming on a shrinking library of new releases.
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Choose PlayStation 5 (PS5) if
Best pickGamers wanting cutting-edge 4K performance, latest AAA releases, and future-proof hardware investment
Choose PlayStation 4 (PS4) if
Budget-conscious gamers, retro gaming enthusiasts, and players content with 1080p-1440p gaming on established PS4 titles
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Key Differences at a Glance
- GPU Performance:✓ PlayStation 5 (PS5) wins(10.28 TFLOPS vs 1.84 TFLOPS)
- Storage Speed:✓ PlayStation 5 (PS5) wins(5.5 GB/s (custom SSD) vs 0.05-0.1 GB/s (HDD))
- Maximum Resolution:✓ PlayStation 5 (PS5) wins(4K (up to 120fps) vs 1440p (60fps max))
Key Facts & Figures
18 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | PlayStation 5 (PS5) | PlayStation 4 (PS4) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Edition Price (USD)(USD) | $599.99 | — | — |
| Digital Edition Price (GBP)(GBP) | £519.99 | — | — |
| Built-in SSD Storage(GB) | 825GB | — | — |
| Game Pass Titles at Launch(games) | 0 (separate subscription required) | — | — |
| Major Exclusive Titles (2024-2026)(titles) | 6 major exclusives | — | — |
| Processing Power(TFLOPS) | 10.28 TFLOPS | — | — |
| Internal Storage(GB) | 825 GB SSD | — | — |
| RAM Memory(MB) | 16 GB GDDR6 | — | — |
| Launch Price (USD)(USD) | $499 | — | — |
| Exclusive Game Titles(games) | 120+ exclusives (as of 2026) | 400+ exclusives | |
| Storage Read Speed(GB/s) | 5.5 GB/s (SSD) | — | — |
| Total Game Library(titles) | 2,400+ games | — | — |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | 10.28 TFLOPS | 1.84 TFLOPS | |
| CPU Cores(cores) | 8 cores (3.5 GHz) | 8 cores (1.6 GHz) | |
| Storage Speed(GB/s) | 5.5 GB/s (custom SSD) | 0.08 GB/s (HDD) | |
| Average Load Time(seconds) | 1.2 seconds | 22 seconds | |
| Internal Storage Capacity(GB) | 825 GB usable | 500-1000 GB (model dependent) | |
| Launch MSRP(USD) | $499 | $399 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 10.28 TFLOPS(winner)GPU Performance1.84 TFLOPS
- 5.5 GB/s (custom SSD)(winner)Storage Speed0.05-0.1 GB/s (HDD)
- 4K (up to 120fps)(winner)Maximum Resolution1440p (60fps max)
- 0.8-2 seconds (typical)(winner)Load Times15-30 seconds (typical)
- Full ray tracing at 4K(winner)Ray Tracing SupportLimited/no ray tracing
- Most PS4 games playableBackward CompatibilityN/A
- $499 (2020)Launch Price (USD)$399 (2013)(winner)
- GPU Performance
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
10.28 TFLOPS(winner)
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
1.84 TFLOPS
- Storage Speed
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
5.5 GB/s (custom SSD)(winner)
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
0.05-0.1 GB/s (HDD)
- Maximum Resolution
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
4K (up to 120fps)(winner)
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
1440p (60fps max)
- Load Times
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
0.8-2 seconds (typical)(winner)
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
15-30 seconds (typical)
- Ray Tracing Support
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
Full ray tracing at 4K(winner)
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
Limited/no ray tracing
- Backward Compatibility
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
Most PS4 games playable
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
N/A
- Launch Price (USD)
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
$499 (2020)
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
$399 (2013)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | PlayStation 5 (PS5) | PlayStation 4 (PS4) |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Edition Price (USD)(USD) | $599.99 | — |
| Digital Edition Price (GBP)(GBP) | £519.99 | — |
| Launch Price (USD)(USD) | $499 | — |
| Built-in SSD Storage(GB) | 825GB | — |
| 4K Gaming Support | Yes, 4K/60fps standard | — |
| Performance vs PS5 Pro | Below PS5 Pro; base PS5 on-par with Series X | — |
| Processing Power(TFLOPS) | 10.28 TFLOPS | — |
| RAM Memory(MB) | 16 GB GDDR6 | — |
| Storage Read Speed(GB/s) | 5.5 GB/s (SSD) | — |
Show 3 more attributesGPU Performance(TFLOPS) 10.28 TFLOPS 1.84 TFLOPS CPU Cores(cores) 8 cores (3.5 GHz) 8 cores (1.6 GHz) Average Load Time(seconds) 1.2 seconds 22 seconds | ||
| Backwards Compatible Generations(generations) | 1 generation (PS4) | — |
| Game Pass Titles at Launch(games) | 0 (separate subscription required) | — |
| Exclusive Game Titles(games) | 120+ exclusives (as of 2026) | 400+ exclusives(winner) |
| Total Game Library(titles) | 2,400+ games | — |
| Major Exclusive Titles (2024-2026)(titles) | 6 major exclusives | — |
| Internal Storage(GB) | 825 GB SSD | — |
| Storage Speed(GB/s) | 5.5 GB/s (custom SSD)(winner) | 0.08 GB/s (HDD) |
| Internal Storage Capacity(GB) | 825 GB usable(winner) | 500-1000 GB (model dependent) |
| Maximum Resolution(pixels) | 4K (2160p) at 120fps | 1440p at 60fps max |
| Launch MSRP(USD) | $499 | $399(winner) |
Show 3 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
Pros
- 10.28 TFLOPS GPU delivers 5.6x more raw performance than PS4
- Custom NVMe SSD achieves 5.5 GB/s, reducing load times from 20-30 seconds to under 2 seconds
- Supports true 4K resolution at up to 120fps in optimized titles
- Full ray tracing support enables realistic lighting and reflections in modern AAA games
- Backward compatible with majority of PS4 game library (4,000+ titles confirmed)
Cons
- Significantly higher price point at $499 vs PS4's original $399
- Limited exclusive game lineup compared to PS4's 7-year library (as of 2026)
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
Pros
- Massive library of 4,000+ exclusive and third-party games with mature software ecosystem
- Significantly lower used-market pricing ($100-200 range as of 2026)
- Proven reliability over 13 years with established community and support
- PlayStation Plus subscription service includes 700+ games across generations
- Energy efficient compared to PS5, consuming 100-150W vs PS5's 100-220W
Cons
- Maximum 1440p resolution at 60fps—cannot handle true 4K gaming or ray tracing
- Traditional HDD storage with 0.05-0.1 GB/s speed causes 15-30 second load times; severely limited SSD upgrade options
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, the PS5 is backward compatible with the vast majority of PS4 games. Sony confirmed over 4,000 PS4 titles are playable on PS5, and many run faster with improved load times. However, a small percentage of PS4 games are not compatible due to specific technical issues.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
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