Is PS4 Still Worth It in 2026? Black Friday PS4 vs PS5 Buying Tips

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Short answer: buy a PS4 on Black Friday 2026 only if it is under a very low price and you mainly want older games. For almost everyone else, a PS5 is the better purchase. Here is how I would decide.

PS5 vs PS4 Black Friday: The Quick Comparison

Black Friday is November 27, 2026. Here is what actually separates the two consoles.

  • PS4 Slim / PS4 Pro: hard drive storage, slower load times, PS4 library only. Pro adds 4K upscaling.
  • PS5 (Disc or Digital): SSD storage, much faster loading, plays the PS4 library plus PS5 games.
  • Controller: PS4 uses the DualShock 4. PS5 uses the DualSense, which adds haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
  • Backward compatibility: PS5 plays the vast majority of PS4 games. PS4 cannot play PS5 games.

What stands out immediately is the loading speed. The SSD in a PS5 makes older PS4 games feel noticeably snappier than they did on a hard drive. [ADD YOUR EXPERIENCE: how long a game you know well took to load on each console.]

Is PS4 Still Worth It in 2026?

For a second console, a kid’s first console or a very tight budget, yes. The library is huge, used games are cheap and nearly every big PS4 title is on sale at some point.

For a main console you plan to keep for five years, no. New releases are built for PS5 and the gap will keep growing.

Brand-new PS4 stock is also limited. If you see one, check that the seller is the retailer itself and that it comes with a full warranty. [BUY NOW – PS4 CONSOLE]

Best PS4 Games to Buy on Black Friday

Older first-party games are where Black Friday saves the most. These are the ones I would grab first if they are marked down.

  • God of War (2018): a tight single-player action game that still looks excellent.
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man: the swinging alone is worth it.
  • Horizon Zero Dawn: long open-world RPG, usually discounted heavily.
  • The Last of Us Part II: intense and polished, but heavy in tone.
  • Red Dead Redemption 2: huge, slow-paced and worth the time.
  • Persona 5 Royal: 100+ hours of content for the price of one game.

[BUY NOW – GOD OF WAR PS4] [BUY NOW – MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN PS4] [BUY NOW – HORIZON ZERO DAWN PS4]

If you are into online games, check our Fortnite Black Friday sale guide for V-Bucks and bundle offers.

Accessories Worth Buying on Black Friday

Accessories are the safest place for a real discount. Replacement and extra controllers are the easiest win.

For high-end headsets and peripherals, see our Razer Black Friday deals. If you also use a handheld or camera, our memory card deals guide explains which cards work in which device.

PSVR on Black Friday: Check This First

The original PSVR works on PS5, but only with PSVR games. It does not run PS VR2 games. If VR is your main goal, read our Black Friday VR headset deals before buying anything.

The Downside of Buying a PS4 Now

  • New games skip it. Major releases now target PS5 first.
  • Slow storage. A hard drive means long loads and large install times.
  • Resale value is low. You will not get much back if you upgrade.
  • Controller lock-in. A DualShock 4 will not run PS5 games.

Who Should Skip a PS4 Deal

  • You want new PS5 releases, 60 fps modes or the DualSense features.
  • You plan to keep the console for 4 years or more.
  • The deal is a refurbished unit from an unknown seller with no returns.
  • You mostly play online, where PS4 players are slowly moving to PS5.

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How to Spot a Fake PS4 or PS5 Deal

  • Check the price history, not just the crossed-out price.
  • Confirm the exact model: Slim, Pro, Disc or Digital.
  • Check what is included. A bundle with a game you already own is not a saving.
  • Look at the seller and the return window before checkout.

When to Buy

  • Black Friday (Nov 27): best for bundles and doorbusters.
  • Cyber Monday (Nov 30): good for online-only games and accessories.
  • After Christmas: a second round of markdowns. See our after Christmas sales guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy a PS4 or PS5 on Black Friday 2026?

Buy the PS5 if the price gap is under about one game. Buy the PS4 only when the saving is large and you want a cheap library machine.

Can PS5 play PS4 games?

Yes, nearly all of them, often with faster loading.

Are Black Friday PS4 games cheaper than digital sales?

Sometimes. Compare the PlayStation Store price with the disc price and remember that discs can be resold.

Final Verdict

If you do not own a PlayStation yet, buy a PS5. It plays your PS4 library and every new release.

If you already own a PS4, do not upgrade just for Black Friday. Spend the money on games, a second controller or an external drive instead.

Only buy a PS4 console if it is a brand-new or warranty-backed unit at a very low price and you are fine staying on older games. [BUY NOW – PS5 CONSOLE]

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