Despite its age, many players are still using a PS4. The console has a huge game library, solid support, online play, and it is still receiving some new releases. For players who cannot afford a PS5, the PS4 remains the best option.
The success of the PS4 has been so strong that, according to reliable data, the split between PS4 and PS5 players was roughly 50–50 in mid-2024. That balance has likely shifted in favor of PS5, but the fact that Sony is now encouraging users to upgrade shows that the PS4 is still very much alive.
Sony Encourages Players to Upgrade
Some PS4 users have reported receiving a message from PlayStation that encourages them to move from PS4 to PS5. The message says:
Whether you’re catching up with hits from 2025 like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, ARC Raiders, and Ghost of Yotei, or getting ready for the most-anticipated games of 2026, including SAROS, 007 First Light, Nioh 3, and so much more, now’s the perfect time to upgrade to a PS5 console. Scan the QR code to see the latest deals on PS5 consoles.
PS5 has been a major success, but the PS4 remains one of its biggest “rivals,” as many players are reluctant to abandon it and are unwilling to spend money on Sony’s latest console.
One of the main reasons PS4 users hesitate to buy a PS5 is the high price. A PS5 with a disc drive currently costs $549.99, which is $50 more than its launch price in 2020. The digital version is also more expensive than it was at launch.
Many PS4 owners bought the console when the Slim model launched, at a price below $300. Prices like that are unlikely to come back, and players will probably have to accept that consoles will keep getting more expensive over time.
