Are Sony Still Making PS4s? The Complete Guide for 2024

Are Sony Still Making PS4s? The Complete 2024 Guide for Gamers

The PlayStation 4. For nearly a decade, this sleek black box was the centerpiece of millions of living rooms. It ushered in an era of breathtaking graphics, legendary exclusive titles, and countless hours of shared online adventures. With over 117 million units sold, the PS4 isn't just a console; it's a monumental chapter in gaming history.

But with the PlayStation 5 now firmly established as Sony's flagship, a question lingers in the minds of many gamers, collectors, and bargain hunters: Are Sony still making PS4s?

It’s a simple question with a surprisingly complex answer. Let's dive in and unpack the status of the legendary PlayStation 4.

The Short Answer: The Production Lines Have Halted

Let's get right to the point. As of 2024, for the vast majority of the global market, Sony is no longer actively manufacturing new PlayStation 4 consoles.

The official end of production was a gradual process. By the end of 2021, Sony had reportedly ceased manufacturing all models of the PS4 except for one specific version of the PS4 Slim. The powerhouse PS4 Pro and the original "phat" model had already been discontinued long before that.

This is the standard lifecycle for a gaming console. As the new generation (the PS5) takes center stage, resources, manufacturing focus, and marketing budgets all shift to the new hardware. The predecessor is gracefully retired to make way for the future.

However, the PS4's retirement story had an unexpected plot twist.

Why the PS4 Lingered Longer Than Expected

The transition from PS4 to PS5 was unlike any other in console history. The launch of the PlayStation 5 in late 2020 was met with unprecedented demand, but it coincided with a massive global chip shortage and widespread supply chain disruptions.

The result? PS5s were incredibly difficult to find.

Faced with a situation where they couldn't produce enough of their new console to meet demand, Sony made a clever strategic move. In early 2022, reports confirmed that Sony had decided to continue producing PS4 consoles throughout that year.

The logic was sound:

• Availability: The components for the PS4 were older, more readily available, and cheaper to source than the cutting-edge tech inside the PS5.
• Market Presence: It kept PlayStation consoles on store shelves, preventing a vacuum that competitors could fill.
• Ecosystem: It provided a more affordable entry point for new gamers into the PlayStation ecosystem, who would still buy games and subscribe to services, generating revenue for Sony.

This decision gave the PS4 an extended lease on life, long after it would have normally been put out to pasture.

So, Can You Still Buy a "New" PS4 Today?

This is where things get interesting. While active, large-scale production has stopped, you might still find consoles advertised as "new" at some retailers. These are almost certainly New Old Stock (NOS). This means they are genuinely new, factory-sealed consoles from the final production runs that have been sitting in a warehouse.

As time goes on, finding true NOS PS4s will become increasingly rare and likely more expensive, turning them into collector's items.

For most people looking for a PS4 in 2024, the primary sources will be:

• The Refurbished Market: These are pre-owned consoles that have been professionally inspected, cleaned, repaired if necessary, and tested to ensure they are in perfect working order. They often come with a warranty, offering peace of mind at a great price.
• The Pre-Owned Market: This is the largest source for PS4s. From marketplaces to specialized retro gaming stores, you can find a huge variety of pre-owned consoles, from the original model to the Slim and the powerful Pro.

Is the PS4 Still Worth It? Absolutely.

Even with production officially over, the PlayStation 4 is far from obsolete. In fact, it might just be one of the best value propositions in all of gaming right now.

An Unbelievable Game Library: The PS4's greatest strength is its phenomenal catalog of games. We're talking about a treasure trove of critically acclaimed masterpieces and genre-defining hits. Games like God of War (2018), The Last of Us Part II, Bloodborne, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Horizon Zero Dawn are not just great games; they are essential gaming experiences. And the best part? Most of them are now available at incredibly low prices.

Affordability: You can pick up a pre-owned or refurbished PS4 console and a stack of award-winning games for a fraction of the cost of a new PS5 and a single new game. It's the perfect entry point for someone new to gaming or for a parent looking for a budget-friendly system for their family.

Ongoing Support: The PlayStation Store on the PS4 is still fully operational. You can still buy digital games, access your library, and play online with your friends. While Sony's first-party studios have moved on to the PS5, many third-party developers are still releasing cross-generational titles that play on both the PS4 and PS5.

The PlayStation 4: The Next Great Retro Console?

Here at Retro Broker, we watch the lifecycle of consoles with keen interest. A console's journey doesn't end when its production stops; that's often when its new life as a "retro" classic begins.

The PS4 is now firmly on that path. It represents a specific, beloved era of gaming. Its hardware variations—the original, the Slim, and the Pro—are already becoming distinct collector's items. Limited edition consoles released over the years are a collector's dream.

As the years go by, the PS4 will be remembered as the undisputed king of its generation, a machine that delivered a library of games so strong it will be celebrated for decades to come.

The Final Word on the PlayStation 4

So, while Sony has hung up its hat on making new PS4s, the console's spirit is more alive than ever. Its production may have been extended by unique global circumstances, but its legacy is secured by its incredible software.

It remains a fantastic, affordable, and relevant console for players today and is rapidly becoming a must-have system for the collectors of tomorrow. The story of the PlayStation 4 isn't over; it's simply entering its legendary phase.