Buying a PS4 as my first console in a long time

I am trying to figure out the most profitable fit for me and would appreciate it if you guys could help me out with some of my questions. This would be my first console since PS2/PSP so I am a bit out of the loop. I've also skimmed through the FAQs.

• Slim vs Pro. I've looked at hardware comparisons and there's obviously a stark difference, however from what I gather it's all focused on 4K capability (and some 60fps capability) rather than performance/graphics. I'll definitely not be gaming on a 4K TV. I'll mostly focus on PS4 exclusives, which as exclusives already look incredibly optimised. Would I be missing out on anything with a Slim over a Pro? Will future games be possibly Pro exclusives? Is there a performance difference between the two in terms of FPS or lag? I've watched a HZD comparison and the consoles' performance was almost identical, but is this the case with all games? Would I need a Pro as "future proof"? Anything in terms of a PS5?

• I've heard that the audio port on the controllers only works when wireless, is this (still) the case?

• What is the best bundle out there? Thus far, PS4 Slim 500GB + Uncharted 4 seems like the best value, but I've heard 500GB is actually very little. I intend to mostly purchase physical discs but I'm not sure whether they work like PS2 discs where it's essentially insert and play or more like PC games where you must actually install the game first in order to play it. Overall I feel like about 8-9 games could easily fit into 500GB and that's fine as I intend to uninstall after finishing.

• Are there any optimisations I could do in terms of background/unused processes? Can I disable parts of the software, such as the online store from working in the background, to improve performance while gaming? Basically anything in the settings that would improve the experience.

• Is PS Plus a must? I don't intend to play any multiplayer but I've heard it has other features, too. Sales and free games aside, are there any other benefits in purchasing a subscription?

• SSDs seem to boost loading times, but do they offer any other benefits? Will the games run overall smoother or offer a more stable frame-rate? Saving time only during loading is not worth the investment for me.

• How does Remote Play work? How fast a connection is necessary for a seamless experience?

• Store product availability. Is everything available regardless of the region you're in? Are there any physical disc exclusives? I've looked a bit through the store and I wasn't able to find some titles, but I also concluded the search functionality is far from the best one around. Any use/benefits in owning multiple accounts?

• Companion apps. Some are on Android, others are separate installs on the PC. Do games inform you of their companion apps? I only found out about InFamous' app by looking at their website, then again I've not played the game yet...

• How does it handle as a media device? Is it convenient to transfer over videos, music, photos, etc.? I remember the PSP would just show you what was on your SD card, can the PS4 read what's on a USB Flash Drive?

Thank you in advance.