Sony has just unveiled its new ”PlayStation 4 Pro” game console that supports games in 4K and HDR (high dynamic range). It will also support streaming in 4K and HDR.

New PlayStation with 4K and HDR
Today, Sony confirmed the rumors: the PlayStation 4 will get a big brother. It will be named PlayStation 4 Pro and will run all the same games. The big news here is that it can handle games in 4K Ultra HD and HDR (high dynamic range).

To enable this, PS4 Pro will have a faster processor. Sony says that the "GPU is based on elements of AMD's Polaris tech, and some beyond". It will also include a 1TB hard drive.


- "The vision is to take the PS4 experience to extraordinary new levels," said Sony.

4K - or Ultra HD - has 3840x2160 pixels, which is four times as many as Full HD. HDR stands for "high dynamic range" and expands the dynamic range between the darkest black and brightest white, while also expanding the color gamut, enabling games or video to be reproduced with far more saturated colors than on regular TVs.

Of course there is legitimate concern whether games will actually run in full 4K resolution or be upscaled from a lower resolution internally.


PlayStation 4 Pro will arrive about three years after the original PlayStation 4. During the presentation, Sony made it clear that Pro is not an entirely new generation of game console but an expansion of the line-up. The current HD-capable PlayStation 4 will remain for sale and PS4 Pro will be sold as premium option for those who want a better gaming experience in 4K and HDR.

You obviously need a 4K or HDR-capable TV to fully enjoy it but the console can also bring picture improvements to regular HD TVs, said Sony.


At the event Sony demonstrated and highlighted upcoming games that will support 4K resolution and HDR, including Rise of the Tomb Raider, Watch Dogs 2, For Honor, Days Gone, Horizon Zero Dawn, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Mass Effect Andromeda og Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. Some existing games will also get updated with better graphics for PS4 Pro.

- "At launch, you’ll be able to download patches for games – such as Uncharted 4 – which are enhanced when playing on the new console. Future releases that will have PS4 Pro enhancements built-in include Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Mass Effect: Andromeda and Days Gone," says Sony.

PS4 Pro naturally support all the same features as the current console, including apps, Remote Play, Share Play, Trophies, and much more. It also gains a 5GHz WiFi antenna.


The DualShock controller has received a minor facelift. It now has a light bar that is visible from the front embedded into the touchpad. Hopefully, Sony has also improved the durability of the rubber on the analog sticks.

All existing PlayStation 4 consoles will get a firmware upgrade to enable HDR (in HD resolution, not 4K).


Streaming in 4K and better VR
PlayStation 4 Pro will be capable of streaming movies and TV series in 4K and HDR. Sony confirms that a new Netflix will with support for both 4K and HDR will be ready at launch.

Google is also developing a new YouTube app that will support 4K streaming on PS4 Pro.

Sadly, PS4 Pro does not feature a UHD Blu-ray drive.

In addition, the new game console will improve the virtual reality experience if you opt to buy the PlayStation VR headset. You will get better VR graphics, details and smoother frame rate, said Sony.


PlayStation 4 Pro will launch on November 10 for $400 USD / 400 Euro.

PlayStation 4 Pro (CUH-7000 series) specs:
  
 
 Jet Black
 
 1TB HDD
 
 
 Single-chip custom processor
CPU: x86-64 AMD “Jaguar”, 8 cores
GPU: 4.20 TFLOPS, AMD Radeon based graphics engine
 
GDDR5 8GB
 
 Approx. 295×55×327 mm (width × height × length) (excludes largest projection) 
 
 
 Approx. 3.3 kg 
 BD × 6 CAV
DVD × 8 CAV
 3x Super-Speed USB (USB 3.1 Gen.1) port
1x AUX port/td>
 Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)×1
IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth® 4.0 (LE)
 
 AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz
 Max. 310W
 
 HDMI out port (HDR output supported)
DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) port