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 each model number on this page are a placeholder of xx, as every regional variant 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 Region Information page.

PlayStation 4 (CUH-1xxx series) (2013-2016)

The first version of the PS4 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 and the loudest compared to the later versions.

• All PSUs for the 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 the 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 starting 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 an early 10xxA or 11xxA/B model and a dead BD Drive PCB but a working HDD, be sure to back up 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.
  • An easy way to tell the difference between CUH-12xxA/B models and the older ones is that the HDD Bay Cover is matte on the new models, compared to the shiny glossy ones on older models.

SKU Model Comparison

Please note that this guide is meant for sealed/new/unopened PS4s! Finding these models used or refurbished will almost always mean they're 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.

PlayStation 4 "Slim" (CUH-2xxx series) (2016-2025)

The Slim, as the name suggests (though it's not actually the official name by Sony, it is a name given by the community), is the second major revision of the PS4, which became a slimmer, cheaper, and lighter console with improved power efficiency. It also had three revisions: the CUH-20xx, CUH-21xx, and CUH-22xx. Slims come with a die-shrunken 16nm APU, improved Wi-Fi (supports 5GHz 802.11ac), and quieter fan speeds.

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, like the CUH-12xx and Pro.
• 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. High-quality audio is still attainable through the HDMI port.
• All Slim model PSUs use a C7 power connector like the original model.
• This model is what you should aim for if you decide to go the cheaper route.

SKU Model Comparison

Please note that the firmware guide is meant for sealed/new/unopened PS4s! Finding these models used or refurbished will almost always mean they're 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.

PlayStation 4 Pro (CUH-7xxx series) (2016-2021)

The Pro is a mid-cycle upgrade to the original and "Slim" PS4, offering a boost in performance by having an overclocked CPU, an improved GPU, the same 16 nm process on the APU like the Slim, an extra 1GB of DDR3 RAM for background tasks, one additional rear USB port, an optical audio port being added back from the original model, a higher HDMI specification (HDMI 2.0 instead of 1.4), and an 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, much like the CUH-12xx and Slim.
• The CUH-70xx and 71xx revisions come with an 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 to get the most powerful PS4 and if you have a 4K display and/or if you want the best experience with PSVR.
• Mods such as 60FPS patches or resolution patches will work better on the PS4 Pro, thanks to its added power.

SKU Model Comparison

Please note that this guide is meant for sealed/new/unopened PS4s! Finding these models used or refurbished will almost always mean they're 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.