PS4:Buying Guide

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013 in Europe, South America and Australia, and on February 22, 2014 in Japan.

All PS4 models and revisions can be jailbroken, the only requirement being the firmware version. While PS4 model availability can vary from region to region, some models may have fewer internal issues.

PlayStation 4 (Original/Fat/Phat)

• The first model of the PS4, which had 3 revisions: CUH-10xxA, CUH-11xxA/B and CUH-12xxA/B. Being a first model, it is the least power efficient, least powerful and quite noisy.
• All original models come with a C7 power connector.
• 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 tied to the Blu-Ray drive via a Renesas IC Chip. As a result, in a case of a faulty BD Drive, the user needs to order a replacement and desolder the Renesas IC chip from the original daughterboard to the new one. In case the chip and the BD drive is broken, the BD drive is forever unfixable.
  • If a BD Drive is broken, the PS4 cannot be updated because of a firmware update restriction enforced by Sony started with firmware version 4.00. On a exploited firmware, users may consult the noBD drive updater to another exploited firmware.
  • If a BD Drive, Renesas IC Chip and the HDD is faulty, the PS4 is permanently bricked! If you have these models and a dead BD Drive 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 CUH-12xxA/B revision, as that fixes the daughterboard brick by containing a universal Plug-n-Play drive with 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.

HDD Bay Cover Differences

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. Series: CUH-1000A, CUH-1001A, CUH-1002A, CUH-1003A, CUH-1004A, CUH-1005A, CUH-1006A, CUH-1007A, CUH-1008A, CUH-1009A, CUH-1010A, CUH-1011A, CUH-1012A, CUH-1013A, CUH-1014A, CUH-1015A, CUH-1016A. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-11xxA series	500GB	1.70	2.51	September 9, 2014	Came with Destiny Glacier White bundle, followed by others. Network card was improved. Series: CUH-1100A, CUH-1101A, CUH-1102A, CUH-1103A, CUH-1104A, CUH-1105A, CUH-1106A, CUH-1107A, CUH-1108A, CUH-1109A, CUH-1110A, CUH-1111A, CUH-1112A, CUH-1113A, CUH-1114A, CUH-1115A, CUH-1116A. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
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. Series: CUH-1100B, CUH-1101B, CUH-1102B, CUH-1103B, CUH-1104B, CUH-1105B, CUH-1106B, CUH-1107B, CUH-1108B, CUH-1109B, CUH-1110B, CUH-1111B, CUH-1112B, CUH-1113B, CUH-1114B, CUH-1115B, CUH-1116B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-12xxA series	500GB	2.51	4.00	June 15, 2015	Model with matté HDD Bay Cover, some special editions may have a personalized HDD Bay Cover. Power & Eject buttons were changed to be mechanical. Series: CUH-1200A, CUH-1201A, CUH-1202A, CUH-1203A, CUH-1204A, CUH-1205A, CUH-1206A, CUH-1207A, CUH-1208A, CUH-1209A, CUH-1210A, CUH-1211A, CUH-1212A, CUH-1213A, CUH-1214A, CUH-1215A, CUH-1216A. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-12xxB series	1TB	2.51	4.00	June 22, 2015	Same as CUH-12xxA but with a bigger HDD. Meant as a "Ultimate Bundle". Series: CUH-1200B, CUH-1201B, CUH-1202B, CUH-1203B, CUH-1204B, CUH-1205B, CUH-1206B, CUH-1207B, CUH-1208B, CUH-1209B, CUH-1210B, CUH-1211B, CUH-1212B, CUH-1213B, CUH-1214B, CUH-1215B, CUH-1216B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.

PlayStation 4 Slim

• 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, improved Wi-Fi (supports 5GHz Wi-Fi) and quieter (especially the later revisions). It does not offer any performance boost compared to the original/fat PS4.
• All Slim models don't have a daughterboard switch.
• 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. Series: CUH-2000A, CUH-2001A, CUH-2002A, CUH-2003A, CUH-2004A, CUH-2005A, CUH-2006A, CUH-2007A, CUH-2008A, CUH-2009A, CUH-2010A, CUH-2011A, CUH-2012A, CUH-2013A, CUH-2014A, CUH-2015A, CUH-2016A. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-20xxB series	1TB	4.00	4.72	September 15, 2016	Same as CUH-20xxA series, but with 1TB internal HDD. Series: CUH-2000B, CUH-2001B, CUH-2002B, CUH-2003B, CUH-2004B, CUH-2005B, CUH-2006B, CUH-2007B, CUH-2008B, CUH-2009B, CUH-2010B, CUH-2011B, CUH-2012B, CUH-2013B, CUH-2014B, CUH-2015B, CUH-2016B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-21xxA series	500GB	4.72	5.55	September 5, 2017	Cost-cutting version. Series: CUH-2100A, CUH-2101A, CUH-2102A, CUH-2103A, CUH-2104A, CUH-2105A, CUH-2106A, CUH-2107A, CUH-2108A, CUH-2109A, CUH-2110A, CUH-2111A, CUH-2112A, CUH-2113A, CUH-2114A, CUH-2115A, CUH-2116A. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-21xxB series	1TB	4.72	5.55	September 5, 2017	Same as CUH-21xxA series, but with 1TB internal HDD. Series: CUH-2100B, CUH-2101B, CUH-2102B, CUH-2103B, CUH-2104B, CUH-2105B, CUH-2106B, CUH-2107B, CUH-2108B, CUH-2109B, CUH-2110B, CUH-2111B, CUH-2112B, CUH-2113B, CUH-2114B, CUH-2115B, CUH-2116B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-22xxA series	500GB	5.55	10.50?	July 15, 2018	Final version of PS4 Slim, still being sold. Series: CUH-2200A, CUH-2201A, CUH-2202A, CUH-2203A, CUH-2204A, CUH-2205A, CUH-2206A, CUH-2207A, CUH-2208A, CUH-2209A, CUH-2210A, CUH-2211A, CUH-2212A, CUH-2213A, CUH-2214A, CUH-2215A, CUH-2216A. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-22xxB series	1TB	5.55	10.50?	July 15, 2018	Same as CUH-22xxA series, but with 1TB internal HDD. Series: CUH-2200B, CUH-2201B, CUH-2202B, CUH-2203B, CUH-2204B, CUH-2205B, CUH-2206B, CUH-2207B, CUH-2208B, CUH-2209B, CUH-2210B, CUH-2211B, CUH-2212B, CUH-2213B, CUH-2214B, CUH-2215B, CUH-2216B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.

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, a extra 1GB of DDR3 RAM, 1 additional USB port, a higher HDMI specification, improved Bluetooth specification. This model works the best with PSVR.
• All Pro models don't have a daughterboard switch.
• 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.
• Try to aim for later revisions, as launch models are known to be VERY loud.
• 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. Series: CUH-7000B, CUH-7001B, CUH-7002B, CUH-7003B, CUH-7004B, CUH-7005B, CUH-7006B, CUH-7007B, CUH-7008B, CUH-7009B, CUH-7010B, CUH-7011B, CUH-7012B, CUH-7013B, CUH-7014B, CUH-7015B, CUH-7016B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-71xxB series	1TB	5.00	6.00	November 6th, 2017	Improved version of launch Pro Model. Series: CUH-7100B, CUH-7101B, CUH-7102B, CUH-7103B, CUH-7104B, CUH-7105B, CUH-7106B, CUH-7107B, CUH-7108B, CUH-7109B, CUH-7110B, CUH-7111B, CUH-7112B, CUH-7113B, CUH-7114B, CUH-7115B, CUH-7116B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.
CUH-72xxB series	1TB or 2TB	6.00	8.50	November 7th, 2018	Final revision of PS4 Pro. Series: CUH-7200B, CUH-7201B, CUH-7202B, CUH-7203B, CUH-7204B, CUH-7205B, CUH-7206B, CUH-7207B, CUH-7208B, CUH-7209B, CUH-7210B, CUH-7211B, CUH-7212B, CUH-7213B, CUH-7214B, CUH-7215B, CUH-7216B. Hardware/firmware is all the same, the last 2 numbers are the region indicator.

Region Indicator Information

Code (Suffix)	Region	Shortened name	Region no.	Server	Model Example/Additional Info
Last Letter/Version
CUH-xxxxA	All	-	-	-	CUH-1001A. PS4 shipped with 500GB HDD
CUH-xxxxB	All	-	-	-	CUH-2000B. PS4 shipped with 1TB HDD
Last 2 numbers/Region
00	Japan	jp	0	00	CUH-1000A
01 / 15	US & Canada (North America)	us	1	01	CUH-1001A
02	Australia & New Zealand (Oceania)	au	6	02	CUH-1002A
03	U.K. / Ireland	uk	4	03	CUH-1003A
04 / 16	Europe / Middle East / Africa	eu	2	04	CUH-1004A
05	South Korea	kr	3	05	CUH-1005A
06	Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Hong Kong (Southeast Asia)	sa	7 / 11	06	CUH-1006A
07	Taiwan	tw	8	07	CUH-1007A
08	Russia, Ukraine, India & Central Asia	ru	9	08	CUH-1008A
09	Mainland China (PRC)	cn	10	09	CUH-1009A. Do note, Chinese consoles are region locked by a value present in NOR/sflash. See Region-Locking for more.
11 / 14	Mexico, Central America & South America	mx	5	11	CUH-1011A