PS4:Buying Guide

All PS4 models and revisions can be jailbroken, with the only requirement being the firmware version. While PS4 model availability can vary from region to region, some models may have fewer internal issues. The last two digits of the each model number on this page are a placeholder of xx, as every regional varient of each PS4 model does not make any hardware changes to the model series, with a special exception to Chinese consoles. If you would like to know more about the region locking on the PS4, view the PS4:Region Information page.

PlayStation 4 (2013-2016)

Example of a "Jet Black" early revision of the original PlayStation 4 with a glossy HDD cover and matching DualShock 4.

• The first model of the PS4, which had 3 revisions: CUH-10xxA, CUH-11xxA/B and CUH-12xxA/B. It is sometimes given the nicknames of "phat" or "fat". As it is the oldest model, it is the least power efficient, least powerful and the loudest.
• All original models come with a C7 power connector, two front USB ports, a proprietary port for the PlayStation Camera, and optical audio output.
• The CUH-10xxA and CUH-11xxA/B models come with capacitive power/eject buttons like the original PS3 models, but the CUH-12xxA/B models have mechanical buttons.
• All CUH-10xxA and CUH-11xxA/B models have a separate daughterboard that ties the Blu-Ray drive to the console's System Controller (Syscon) via a Renesas drive controller, similarly to earlier PS3 models. CUH-12xxA/B models instead integrated the Renesas IC onto the console's motherboard.
  • In a case of a faulty BD Drive PCB on a CUH-10xxA or 11xxA/B console, the user needs to order a replacement drive or PCB and desolder the Renesas IC chip from the original daughterboard to the new one. If the original chip is broken, the BD drive for the console is forever unfixable.
    • If a BD Drive's PCB is broken/missing, the PS4 cannot be updated because of a firmware update restriction enforced by Sony started with firmware version 4.00. On firmwares older than 8.00, users may consult the noBD drive updater to another exploited firmware.
    • If the Renesas chip on the console's BD Drive and internal HDD are faulty, the PS4 is permanently bricked!
    • If you have a early 10xxA or 11xxA/B model and a dead BD Drive PCB but a working HDD, be sure to backup your HDD by making a raw HDD clone immediately!
• If you decide to buy the original PS4, be sure to look for a CUH-12xxA/B revision, as that fixes the daughterboard brick by containing a universal Plug-n-Play drive with the KEM-496AAA laser. No daughterboard switch required.
  • A easy way to tell between CUH-12xxA/B models and the older ones is the HDD Bay Cover is matté on the new models, compared to the shiny ones on older models.

Example of the HDD Bay Cover Differences between 10xx/11xx and 12xx consoles.

Firmware guide for original PS4

Please note that this guide is meant for sealed/new/unopened PS4s! Finding these models used or refurbished will almost always mean it's going to be updated to the latest or close to the latest firmware! Make sure to ask the seller, if buying used, what firmware the PS4 is on before purchasing! The following table will show minimum and maximum firmware for each revision, do note the maximum is ONLY for sealed PS4s.

Model	HDD	Minimum Firmware	Maximum Firmware	Release Date	Info
CUH-10xxA series	500GB	1.00-1.05	1.76	November 15, 2013	Launch model.
CUH-11xxA series	500GB	1.70	2.51	September 9, 2014	Minor revision to CUH-10xx; a few ICs were removed to cheapen production. Came with Destiny Glacier White bundle, followed by others.
CUH-11xxB series	1TB	2.55	3.00?	July 15, 2015	Same as CUH-11xxA but with a bigger HDD. Announced for the 1TB PS4 Ultimate Player Edition, being the only way to get it.
CUH-12xxA series	500GB	2.51	4.00	June 15, 2015	Model with a matté HDD Bay Cover; some special editions may have a personalized HDD Bay Cover. Power & Eject buttons were changed to be mechanical while having quieter fan noise. Integrated the optical drive controller on the motherboard, and integrated the Ethernet controller IC into the south bridge. The motherboard itself was also cut down in size. 12xxB first appeared in the "Ultimate Bundle".
CUH-12xxB series	1TB

PlayStation 4 Slim (2016-Current)

Example of a "Glacier White" PlayStation 4 Slim with a matching DualShock 4.

• The second model of the PS4, which also had 3 revisions: CUH-20xxA/B, CUH-21xxA/B and CUH-22xxA/B. The Slim, as the name suggests, is a slimmer, smaller and lighter console with improved power efficiency. It comes with a die shunken 16nm APU, improved Wi-Fi (supports 5GHz Wi-Fi), and quieter fan speeds (especially the later revisions). It does not offer any performance boost compared to the original/fat PS4, only reduced power consumption.
• All Slim models don't have a married daughterboard for the Blu-Ray drive, as the Renesas chip is integrated on the motherboard.
• All Slim models don't have a dedicated optical audio output port unlike the original and Pro models, but the rest of the I/O is the same as the original.
• All Slim models use a C7 power connector like the original model.
• This model is what you should aim for, if you decide to go to the cheaper route.

Firmware guide for PS4 Slim

Please note that this guide is meant for sealed/new/unopened PS4s! Finding these models used or refurbished will almost always mean it's going to be updated to the latest or close to the latest firmware! Make sure to ask the seller, if buying used, what firmware the PS4 is on before purchasing! The following table will show minimum and maximum firmware for each revision, do note the maximum is ONLY for sealed PS4s.

Model	HDD	Minimum Firmware	Maximum Firmware	Release Date	Info
CUH-20xxA series	500GB	4.00	4.72	September 15, 2016	First Slim model.
CUH-20xxB series	1TB
CUH-21xxA series	500GB	4.72	5.55	September 5, 2017	Cost-cutting version.
CUH-21xxB series	1TB
CUH-22xxA series	500GB	5.55	10.50?	July 15, 2018	Final version of PS4 Slim, still being sold.
CUH-22xxB series	1TB

PlayStation 4 Pro (2016-2021)

Example of a "Jet Black" PlayStation 4 Pro.

• The third model of the PS4, which also had 3 revisions: CUH-70xxB, CUH-71xxB and CUH-72xxB.
• The Pro is a mid-cycle upgrade console to the original and Slim PS4, offering a boost in performance by having a overclocked CPU, improved GPU, the same 16nm process on the APU like the Slim, a extra 1GB of DDR3 RAM for background tasks, one additional rear USB port, an optical audio port being added back from original model, a higher HDMI specification (HDMI 2.0 instead of 1.4), and improved Bluetooth specification. This model works the best with PSVR.
• All Pro models don't have a married daughterboard for the Blu-Ray drive, as the Renesas chip is integrated on the motherboard.
• The CUH-70xx and 71xx revisions come with a IEC C17 power connector, but the 72xx changed to the smaller IEC C7 connector like the original and Slim models.
• This model is what you should aim for if you decide get the most powerful PS4 and if you have a 4K TV/monitor and/or if you want the best experience with PSVR.
• If possible, try to aim for later revisions. The launch models and 71xx models are known to be noticibaly louder than the later 72xx models.
• Mods such as 60FPS patches or resolution patches will work better on the PS4 Pro, thanks to its added power.

Firmware guide for PS4 Pro

Please note that this guide is meant for sealed/new/unopened PS4s! Finding these models used or refurbished will almost always mean it's going to be updated to the latest or close to the latest firmware! Make sure to ask the seller, if buying used, what firmware the PS4 is on before purchasing! The following table will show minimum and maximum firmware for each revision, do note the maximum is ONLY for sealed PS4s.

• All PS4 Pro models have been officially discontinued by Sony on January 5th, 2021, meaning if you decide to look for a sealed/new/unopened PS4 Pro all will be under firmware version 9.00!

Model	HDD	Minimum Firmware	Maximum Firmware	Release Date	Info
CUH-70xxB series	1TB	3.70	5.00	November 10th, 2016	First Pro model.
CUH-71xxB series	1TB	5.00	6.00	November 6th, 2017	Minor revision of the PS4 Pro with a few component changes.
CUH-72xxB series	1TB or 2TB	6.00	8.50	November 7th, 2018	Final revision of PS4 Pro, and changed the IEC C17 power connector to a C7 connector with a tweaked cooling system.