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The ninth-generation of gaming is right here. The PS5 and Xbox Series X are the 2 strongest residence consoles ever made, however which system is correct for you? That’s what we’re hoping you’ll discover out by the top of this PS5 vs Xbox Series X comparability.
We’ve judged the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X individually in our in-depth opinions. If you need a full breakdown of every console, try the hyperlinks under. But now it’s time for the massive showdown between Sony and Microsoft’s new {hardware}. Is one console extra highly effective than the opposite? Which console has one of the best games? Which is one of the best worth for cash? Let’s dive in.
Our verdicts: Sony PlayStation 5 overview | Xbox Series X overview
About this PS5 vs Xbox Series X comparability: I’ve been testing the PS5 and Xbox Series X for the reason that European launch of each consoles in mid-November. For the needs of this text, I’ll be referring to the usual PlayStation 5 that comes with a disc drive. Due to the an identical specs, options, and efficiency, all the comparisons right here additionally apply to the disc-free PS5 Digital Edition besides the place famous.
Design
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
Sony and Microsoft’s consoles share plenty of traits, significantly below the hood. However, the general look of every machine couldn’t be extra totally different.
Where the PS5 shoots for panache due to its vivid white, sci-fi-like aesthetic, the Xbox Series X is an easy, chunky, black cuboid. The Xbox Series X showcases a little bit little bit of aptitude with its green-accented convex vent on the highest, however the PS5’s curvy chassis is all aptitude. The PS5’s “wings” can be eliminated, so anticipate to see official interchangeable aspect panels from Sony very quickly.
Sony and Microsoft’s design groups have gone in two completely totally different instructions.
One attribute they do share is that they’re an ungainly form for leisure setups. Unless you have a unit with large gaps, the Xbox’s girth and PS5’s peak will imply at the least one will likely be a good squeeze if positioned horizontally. The PS5 nearly matches in my cupboard, however the chubby Series X is a non-starter.
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
That stated, each methods look frankly ridiculous when positioned on their aspect. The Series X appears prefer it’s fallen over and a horizontal PS5 simply appears, properly… mistaken. They should be stood up proud, particularly if you wish to guarantee most warmth dispersion.
While fan points probably gained’t come up till a lot later within the consoles’ life-cycles, at launch each are quiet as a whisper when working. The non-digital PS5 mannequin does kick up a fuss when you insert a disc, but it surely solely lasts a number of seconds.
As far as ports go, the 2 are primarily an identical. You’re getting energy, ethernet, two USB-A 3.2, and HDMI out ports on the again. On the entrance, you’ll discover one other USB-A port, a 4K Blu-ray disc drive, and energy and eject buttons. Neither console options an optical audio or HDMI in port.
The two notable variations include the helpful extra USB-C port on the PS5’s entrance (good for recharging a controller) and the storage enlargement slot on the rear of the Series X. The latter takes {custom} SSD playing cards. It is an especially fast and simple approach so as to add extra storage.
The PS5 doesn’t help expandable SSD storage at launch, although you will finally be capable to improve it with a Sony-approved M2 SSD. This would require eradicating the removable aspect panels and unscrewing a storage bay. Microsoft’s answer is much extra elegant in follow.
Both consoles help SSD enlargement, however the Series X’s answer is extra elegant.
Another level additionally goes to Microsoft for including tactile markers on the rear of the console. They enable you to really feel out the proper ports with out seeing them — a fantastic step ahead for accessibility. Likewise, the Xbox Series X preliminary setup is made a fraction simpler with the Xbox app. This lets you sort in all your account particulars utilizing a smartphone display screen quite than a controller, which is much much less awkward. Take notes, Sony.
Personally, I really like each designs regardless of their wildly totally different appears — particularly as a result of they completely match the ethos of every console, however extra on that later.
Controllers
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
The contrasting design ethos of the PS5 and Xbox Series X extends to the controllers. While the Xbox Wireless Controller and the DualSense Wireless Controller are functionally an identical, Sony noticed the brand new technology as a chance to rethink how a gamepad can improve gameplay.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. Both controllers have two thumbsticks, 4 face buttons (a continuation of the shapes vs letters battle for supremacy), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The D-pads are barely totally different. The DualSense rocks a break up four-button pad and the Xbox controller packs a hybrid D-pad with a cross sample and rounded diagonals. I desire the texture of the Xbox D-pad, however the loud clicks it makes could be distracting. Both controllers even have two bumpers and two triggers, in addition to a top-mounted USB-C port.
See additionally: The greatest Xbox Series X equipment | The greatest PlayStation 5 equipment
As for {custom} buttons, the DualSense mirrors its predecessor — the DualShock 4. It affords a PlayStation button, a share button (now a tad pretentiously dubbed “Create”) for capturing screenshots and video, and an choices button. There’s additionally the touchpad which may act as two extra buttons by clicking both aspect. However, it’s primarily there for touch-sensitive games. It additionally lights up across the sides. Very funky.
Meanwhile, the Xbox controller lastly provides its personal share button along with the same old Xbox, Menu, and View buttons on the entrance. There’s additionally an enlargement port on the underside for equipment. That contains an elective Play and Charge Kit, as a result of sure, the Series X gamepad takes AA batteries. You might disagree, however I’d take a chargeable gamepad over changing batteries or having to purchase a recharging accent any day.
There are delicate variations between the 2 so far as ergonomics go. The Xbox controller has a heavy texturing impact across the rear and the triggers. The DualSense copies this strategy, but it surely’s not fairly as tangible within the hand. Likewise, the DualSense feels wider as a result of virtually boomerang-like construct. The Xbox pad, alternatively, is extra compact and acute with its angles.
However, there are some notable upgrades that the PS5 pad boasts compared with the Xbox controller. This contains DualShock Four carryovers comparable to a gyroscope for movement controls, a built-in speaker and mic, and the aforementioned touchpad. Yet, these all pale compared to the 2 greatest benefits: the superior haptics and adaptive triggers.
There’s just one controller that’s really pushing gaming ahead.
Put merely, the DualSense’s haptics are magical. One of my colleagues already waxed lyrical about them, and I echo his sentiments utterly. Actually feeling the clang of metallic as your sword bounces off a protect in Demon’s Souls by no means will get outdated. It’s to this point past conventional rumble that you can differentiate between strolling on sand, glass, and different surfaces in Astro’s Playroom. It’s a brief, free title that comes with each PS5 that’s primarily a tech demo for the DualSense’s greatest options. Speaking of which, the adaptive triggers are equally spectacular. These can resist your finger pull based mostly on the contextual motion on the display screen, additional heightening your immersion.
It’ll be fascinating to see (and really feel) how Sony’s first-party studios benefit from the DualSense’s quirks. However, there’s no assure that large third-party builders will take as a lot care. For instance, the rumble in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is near-identical throughout each the PS5 and Series X.
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
The Series X controller isn’t unhealthy. In reality, it builds on earlier Xbox controllers very properly. Plus, Microsoft’s iterative strategy signifies that Xbox One gamepads will work on the Series X for all games. Meanwhile, DualShock Four pads are appropriate with the PS5 for taking part in PS4 titles, however PS5 games are DualSense-only.
Nevertheless, there’s just one controller right here that’s really pushing the envelope. In that regard, the DualSense is a marvel.
Performance
The uncooked specs for each methods present how a lot nearer the new-generation {hardware} is to PC gaming than we’ve ever seen earlier than.
The Series X is powered by a {custom} AMD eight-core Zen 2 CPU (3.8GHz peak) and AMD’s Navi-based RDNA 2 graphics chip, with a meaty 12 teraflops of GPU energy. This is paired with 16GB of RAM (GDDR6) and a {custom} 1TB NVMe SSD designed round Microsoft’s Velocity Architecture.
The PS5 SoC, by comparability, makes use of the identical 8x Zen 2 CPU setup however clocked at 3.5GHz. The GPU structure once more mirrors the Series X however drops to 10.28 teraflops. In addition, whereas the RAM matches the Series X, the PS5 has a {custom} 825GB SSD.
Before we dive into the murky waters of body charges, decision, and extra, let’s make one thing very clear: each the Xbox Series and PS5 are probably the most highly effective residence consoles ever to hit the market. It’s additionally true that, on paper, the Series X has the next theoretical peak efficiency than the PS5. However, to this point the precise outcomes based mostly on our personal testing and different consultants have been blended.
Gears 5
Credit: Xbox Game Studios
Multi-platform games like Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla each exhibit body price dips on the Xbox Series X. The latter suffers from extreme display screen tearing in cutscenes (a current patch has mounted this for some, however I’m nonetheless seeing it a rather a lot). In addition, Devil May Cry 5 has a top quality mode with ray-tracing enabled on PS5 whereas the Series X… doesn’t. Other games, like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, ship a greater expertise on Series X as anticipated. Of course, it’s nonetheless early. Third-party studios are nonetheless attending to grips with all the brand new {hardware}.
Things are much more even when first-party games or, within the case of the Series X, Xbox One games which were optimized for Series X and Series S. This contains Gears 5, which is as near a full show of what the Series X is able to as you can get proper now. The Coaltion’s gory shooter options as much as 2160p dynamic decision scaling. It’s additional enhanced with ray-tracing lighting and reflections, attractive auto HDR, a 60fps-locked marketing campaign, and as much as 120fps in multiplayer.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Credit: PlayStation Studios
The PS5, in the meantime, has various exclusives that showcase its {hardware}. Demon’s Souls and Spider-Man: Miles Morales are the 2 large hitters. Both can run in native 4K high quality mode with ray-tracing at a capped 30fps or in efficiency mode at 60fps with a dynamic body price. Insomniac Games additionally patched in a Performance RT mode for Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It permits ray-tracing at 60fps, although with an additional lowered decision and fewer in-game objects comparable to visitors and pedestrians.
The PS5 and Series X each supply extra methods to tune your graphics settings than any console to this point.
Meanwhile, 120Hz help is usually restricted to on-line multiplayer for games on each consoles. There are a number of uncommon exceptions, however virtually all the time with a trade-off of decrease resolutions (to as little as 1080p) and the lack of enhanced lighting.
We’ll have to attend and see how a lot energy really lurks below the hood of each methods. The actuality is that it often takes months if not years for first-party builders to actually push console {hardware} to its limits. Regardless, there’s already a sample rising that regardless of which platform you decide, you’ll want to decide on between efficiency and high quality choices. This has been a mainstay of the PC gaming marketplace for years, and it’s nice to lastly have some flexibility within the console area too.
Demon’s Souls
Credit: PlayStation Studios
Despite the shock early wins for PS5 vs Xbox Series X in efficiency, there are a number of areas the place Microsoft’s machine has the agency higher hand. Notably, the PS5 doesn’t at the moment help variable refresh charges which can come into play as extra games try and push 120fps at greater resolutions. It additionally doesn’t supply native help for 1440p shows — a blow for these seeking to hook the console as much as a 120fps-enabled 1440p monitor. Sony has confirmed that VRR help will arrive in a future firmware replace. It’s additionally hinted that native 1440p help might comply with.
Related: The greatest 4K TV offers
Of course, to benefit from any of those superior options you’ll want a comparatively new TV set. VRR and 120fps are solely obtainable with HDMI 2.1-equipped units. So, if you’ve bought a barely older 4K TV you could also be out of luck. There’s additionally 8K help promised for each consoles sooner or later.
One factor you can get pleasure from on any TV or monitor is the ultra-fast loading provided by each the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Those {custom} SSDs are the true upgrades of the ninth-generation consoles. Load instances — be it booting up a recreation or throughout gameplay — are completely fast. Transitioning from the Nexus to Boletaria’s varied lethal locales in Demon’s Souls takes seconds. So does zipping from one aspect of the map to the opposite in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Forza Horizon 4
Credit: Xbox Game Studios
Going from standby to gameplay on both console is equally speedy. It’s even speedier if you’re enjoying a Quick Resume-supported recreation on the Xbox Series X. This characteristic lets you droop gameplay in as much as round 5 games directly and flick between them with out heading again to the title display screen.
The draw back of the SSDs is the added expense on the invoice of supplies. However, quite than radically rising value tags, Sony and Microsoft have as an alternative restricted the bottom storage of every machine.
AAA games are getting enormous and the Series X’s superior storage choices are an enormous win for Xbox gamers.
The Xbox Series X comes with a 1TB SSD with 802GB of usable area. The PS5, alternatively, drops to 825GB with solely 667GB left over after setup. With some games ballooning to 100GB and above, that’s not plenty of room to play with.
Both methods could be expanded — the Series X with {custom} playing cards and the PS5 with M2 sticks. However, at launch, solely the Series X has choices that can be purchased, with the $219 Seagate stick including a further 1TB. You can play backward appropriate games on each consoles by way of an exterior drive, however not new-gen titles. In reality, solely the Series X lets you copy optimized or new-gen games to an exterior drive.
Finally, the PS5 helps Wi-Fi 6, whereas the Xbox Series X doesn’t. This means Sony’s console is extra future-proofed for sooner and extra steady Wi-Fi connections.
Features and software program
The Xbox Series X dashboard is close to an identical to the Xbox One’s UI. Microsoft gave its interface a reasonably vital facelift again in August, so it’s not a shock to see so few adjustments. Sony, in the meantime, has crafted a wholly new interface. It introduces a litany of latest, novel options, and a considerably minimalist look.
However, the PS5’s dashboard makes pretty poor use of area and is mostly a bit scientific. That stated, the revamped Control Center is an enormous improve over the PS4 UI. With a single push of the PlayStation button on the DualSense you can entry fast settings and options like social gathering chat with out exiting the sport you’re enjoying. This can be the place you’ll discover Activity playing cards — a model new characteristic that gives in-game assist and data on Trophy or stage progress. It even lets you bounce to particular ranges or places in-game. Support for Activities will differ, but it surely’s a helpful possibility for first-party titles.
The PS5 UI additionally runs in 4K HDR, which may’t be stated of the 1080p Xbox dashboard. This is a baffling determination and is sort of jarring when transitioning between a recreation and the dashboard. Elsewhere it’s tiles, tiles, and extra tiles. The Xbox Series X interface is probably a little bit overzealous in the way in which it pushes providers like Game Pass, but it surely’s way more customizable than the PS5’s UI. There’s additionally a helpful common search characteristic in case you can’t discover a particular setting.
Subscriptions
This one isn’t even shut. Comparing Xbox Game Pass to any of Sony’s PlayStation providers is a non-starter.
For people who want a refresher, Game Pass is a Netflix-style service that offers customers entry to a ton of games. That contains each Xbox Game Studios title at launch — ranging from $9.99 a month. The highest tier — Game Pass Ultimate — goes a step additional by bundling in Game Pass for PC (full with its personal distinctive library), cloud streaming to Android smartphones (and shortly iOS), EA Play, and Xbox Live Gold, in addition to different perks (like a month of Disney Plus), all for $14.99. Xbox Live Gold is crucial if you wish to play on-line and usually prices $9.99 a month by itself.
Read extra: Everything about Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Sony’s Game Pass rival is at the moment PS Now. For $9.99 a month, you get a library of PlayStation games from throughout the PS2, PS3, and PS4 eras which could be streamed to your console or a Windows PC by way of the cloud. Alternatively, you can obtain PS4 and PS2 games (however not PS3) on to the PS5. While the decrease value is sweet, the most important knock towards PS Now is that it’s populated by older titles. Sony’s greatest hitters of 2020 — Demon’s Souls, The Last of Us: Part 2, and Ghost of Tsushima — are nowhere to be discovered.
Then there’s PlayStation Plus. It performs the identical function as Xbox Live Gold on Microsoft’s consoles by enabling on-line play for $9.99 a month or $59.99 for a complete yr. Sadly, this isn’t bundled with PS Now, so it’ll be simply shy of $20 a month if you need each.
PS Plus and PS Now are nice, however Xbox Game Pass is on one other stage.
Also like Xbox Live Gold, you get a handful of “free” games each month with PS Plus. However, PS5 house owners get an additional perk with the PS Plus Collection — a complimentary library of 20 games from the PS4 technology, together with trendy classics like Bloodborne, God of War, Persona 5, The Last of Us Remastered, and extra.
The bonus PS Plus Collection may be very welcome. There are loads of games to lose your self in between PS Plus and PS Now, however there’s no competitors in comparison with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft is trouncing Sony within the subscription battle. Put merely, Game Pass is probably the most compelling motive to purchase into the Xbox ecosystem proper now.
Apps
Each console is complemented by a pair of elective smartphone apps. There are technically greater than two obtainable for every, however these are those that make one of the best use of both console. On the PlayStation aspect, you’ve bought the core PlayStation App and PlayStation Remote Play. Meanwhile, on the inexperienced aspect, there’s the Xbox app and Xbox Game Pass.
The main PlayStation and Xbox apps are pretty easy and supply comparable performance. This contains an outline of your recreation library, profile settings, distant downloads, messaging, and extra. The PS App additionally lets you browse and purchase games from the PlayStation Store.
The Xbox app’s distinctive characteristic is a tab for captures which is populated by screenshots and video taken in your console. These can then be downloaded simply to your cellphone’s machine storage. The Xbox app can be extraordinarily helpful in the course of the preliminary console setup — Sony should copy this instantly.
The Xbox app is a bit more clumsy with its format when in comparison with PlayStation’s companion app, nevertheless. For instance, the distant play characteristic is hidden away below an in any other case innocuous tab with an Xbox One icon on it. Sony goes utterly the opposite approach and pushes distant play into a wholly separate app. It’s all very arbitrary, very like the Xbox Game Pass app. This exhibits all of the Game Pass games throughout PC, console, and cell. Perhaps this wanted to be a standalone app to help cloud streaming. If that’s not the case I’m unsure why this couldn’t have simply all been added to the primary Xbox app as a further tab.
Media, audio, and screenshots
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are filled with media options. This features a 4K Blu-Ray participant until you opted for the disc-free PS5 Digital Edition. On the app entrance, all of the favorites are right here. You’ll discover Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, YouTube, Spotify, Twitch, and extra. The one main exception is HBO Max, which is just obtainable on the Xbox Series X on the time of writing. Dolby Vision HDR for streaming is equally an Xbox-only affair, although it isn’t supported for 4K Blu-Rays.
The Xbox Series X additionally helps Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. That means you can management media playback, flip the console on or off, take a screenshot, and extra by way of a appropriate sensible speaker. The PS5 sadly doesn’t have both.
What it does have is Sony’s proprietary Tempest 3D AudioTech. This is designed to ship digital object-based spatial encompass sound over headphones. Sony additionally says Tempest 3D audio will finally come to TV audio system. Right now, you can pattern it by means of any pair of first rate cans, or the custom-tuned PS5 Pulse 3D wi-fi headset.
The PS5 makes use of its personal proprietary 3D audio tech. The Xbox Series X opts for Dolby Atmos help.
The Xbox Series X opts for Dolby Atmos 3D encompass sound help for streaming and 4K Blu-Ray playback, chosen games, in addition to the rival DTS:X codec. The PS5 does technically help Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, however just for Blu-Rays and 4K Blu-Rays by way of the optical drive.
As for media seize, the Xbox Series X can seize screenshots in 4K and video at 4K HDR for as much as 30 seconds, or decrease resolutions for a most of three minutes. The PS5 mirrors the seize high quality, however the length caps out at a whopping 60 minutes.
VR
Virtual actuality continues to be a distinct segment curiosity within the console area, however the PS5 is absolutely appropriate with Sony’s PlayStation VR headset. To use it, you’ll want the PSVR itself, the PS4 Camera, and a PlayStation Camera adaptor which is out there at no cost to current PSVR house owners. The new PS5 digicam shouldn’t be appropriate, however current PSVR equipment just like the PlayStation Move remotes and the Aim Controller will work simply high-quality. There are some nice games obtainable for the platform, however right here’s hoping Sony launch a new PlayStation VR headset quickly. Some of the peripherals right here are actually based mostly on tech that’s over 10 years outdated.
Microsoft has proven zero curiosity in bringing VR experiences to its consoles to this point. Don’t maintain out an excessive amount of hope for an Xbox VR headset anytime quickly.
Games
Great consoles want nice games. The PS5 and Xbox Series X have loads of them. However, at launch, just one is delivering unique experiences you can’t get elsewhere — and that’s Sony’s console.
Astro’s Playroom
Credit: PlayStation Studios
The PS5’s launch lineup is arguably top-of-the-line recreation libraries for a number of generations from an organization not named Nintendo. Demon’s Souls is a luxurious remake of a brutal PS3 masterpiece. Astro’s Playroom (bundled free with each PS5) is probably the most Nintendo recreation that wasn’t made by Nintendo. It’s additionally the proper showcase for the DualSense. There’s additionally Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a brief however candy spin-off of Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4, the clever open-world journey The Pathless, the weird and infectious Bugsnax, and the return of Sony’s de facto mascot in Sackboy: A Big Adventure.
Read extra: The greatest PS5 games | The greatest Xbox Series X/S games
Conversely, the Xbox Series X has one of many weakest line-ups in current reminiscence. Unfortunately, the premature delay of deliberate launch title Halo Infinite left an enormous, unfillable gap within the Series X’s launch library. The closest factor to a model new unique recreation is Yakuza: Like A Dragon. However, that too will finally make its technique to different platforms in 2021.
Instead, Microsoft is counting on its Series X/S optimized games from the Xbox One technology to seize your consideration. If you haven’t performed the likes of Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves, or Halo 5: Guardians but, you’ll have a wealth of prime titles to get pleasure from. This is particularly true of the criminally underrated Gears 5 which is a bravura showcase for the Series X’s energy. If you have performed these games earlier than, nevertheless, you’ll be seeking to high-profile third social gathering games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on your contemporary AAA thrill —games which can be additionally obtainable on PS5.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Credit: Xbox Game Studios
Thankfully, it appears extraordinarily probably that Microsoft’s large black field will quickly be capable to compete with PlayStation on the exclusives entrance. The Redmond big has snapped up a bunch of proficient studios over the previous few years. That contains the shock acquisition of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout maker, Bethesda Game Studios, plus the remainder of the ZeniMax household. Sony’s PlayStation Studios is equally filled with expertise, with The Last of Us and Uncharted developer Naughty Dog arguably the jewel in its crown.
The PS5 has extra new and thrilling exclusives now and coming within the close to future.
The fast future appears a little bit brighter for PlayStation gamers, with Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Deathloop, the sequel to 2018’s God of War, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Returnal, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Stray, and extra, all launching as console exclusives or timed exclusives on the PS5. Xbox Series X house owners must look a little bit additional past 2021 for the likes of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Everwild, Avowed, the Perfect Dark reboot, and the long-awaited Fable sequel. There are some highlights on the way in which although. Those embody a Series X/S optimized Psychonauts 2 and the juggernaut that’s Halo Infinite. These are each confirmed for a 2021 launch.
Of course, this one-sided battle solely actually applies if you’re inquisitive about unique games. If you care extra about large hitters from third-party publishers and builders, the attract of Xbox Game Pass is extraordinarily sturdy. Right now, the Game Pass library is stacked with superb games — from hidden indie gems to blockbusters — that span a wealth of various genres. Check out the complete listing on Microsoft’s web site right here.
Thanks to Game Pass, Series X is a greater console for multi-platform and retro gaming.
There’s additionally little doubt that the Xbox continues to be lightyears forward of PlayStation with help for backward compatibility. The PS5 does lastly see Sony embracing the characteristic with near-complete help for the large PS4 library, however the Series X can return three complete generations and play unique Xbox games. Not solely that, however the Series X will apply auto HDR results to each backward-compatible recreation.
However, it’s nice to see each platforms push unlocked body charges even in unoptimized titles as much as 60fps the place potential.
Specs
PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X | |
---|---|---|
CPU | 8x cores @ 3.5GHz w/ SMT Custom Zen 2 CPU 7nm |
8x cores @ 3.8GHz (3.66GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU 7nm |
GPU | 10.28 TFLOPS, 36 CUs @2.23GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU | 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @1.825GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU |
RAM | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 |
Storage | 825GB Custom NVMe SSD | 1TB Custom NVMe SSD |
Resolution and body price | 4K (2160p) at as much as 120fps | 4K (2160p) at as much as 120fps |
Optical disk drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray drive (normal PS5 solely) | 4K UHD Blu-Ray drive |
Audio | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech Dolby TrueHD Up to 7.1 L-PCM Dolby Atmos/DTS:X (Blu-ray solely) |
Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS 5.1 Dolby True HD with Atmos DTS:X Up to 7.1 L-PCM |
Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 3x USB 3.1 1x USB-C Wireless 802.11ax Ethernet 802.3 10/100/1000 |
1x HDMI 2.1 3x USB 3.1 Wireless 802.11ac twin band Ethernet 802.3 10/100/1000 |
Dimensions | Standard: 390mm x 104mm x 260mm 4.5kg Digital Edition: 390mm x 92mm x 260mm 3.9kg |
151mm x 151mm x 301mm 4.5kg |
Price and launch dates
- PlayStation 5 — $499/£449/€499
- Xbox Series X — $499/£449/€499
The Xbox Series X hit the worldwide market first on November 10, 2020, priced at $499. This is identical value as the unique Xbox One which launched again in 2013, in addition to the upgraded Xbox One X which arrived in late 2017.
The PlayStation 5 launch date got here a few days afterward November 12, 2020, in North America and different chosen markets. It arrived later nonetheless for the remainder of the world on November 19. The PS5 matches the Xbox Series X’s $499 price ticket. This represents a $100 hike over the PS4 in 2013 and the PS4 Pro in late 2016, each of which initially retailed for $399.
If you can abdomen sacrificing a disc drive then the PS5 Digital Edition has the identical specs because the common PlayStation 5 and is priced at $399. It’s the same state of affairs for the $299 Xbox Series S, although Microsoft’s digital-only console cuts again additional on specs. Check out our overview for extra on the Series S.
Read extra: PS5 Digital vs Xbox Series S — which price range console is the most suitable choice for you?
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: The verdict
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
Looking simply on the specs, you’d be forgiven for pondering that evaluating the PS5 and Xbox Series X is a moot level. Stripped right down to solely the necessities, there’s extra that unites Sony and Microsoft’s ninth-gen duo than divides it. They each boast sufficient uncooked CPU and GPU energy to push extra frames and better resolutions than we’ve ever seen with out requiring an at the least modestly kitted-out gaming PC. They each characteristic blazing-fast {custom} SSD drives that obliterate the idea of load instances and scale back the wait between tedious menus and gameplay to mere seconds.
Instead, the most important distinction between these two behemoths is of their competing philosophies.
Check out: How and the place to commerce in your PS4 for a PS5
The PS5 is a monument to console cycles and the concept that a generational leap has to ship on the wow issue. This manifests in its ostentatious design that’s a world away from the angular PS4. There’s additionally the fast pleasure you get from attempting the DualSense for the primary time and people flashy, hardware-pushing exclusives which can be obtainable from day one. It’s even there within the smaller particulars, like with the revamped UI and apps. Sony’s console needs to point out you one thing new.
The Xbox Series X pivots in the exact opposite course. It’s a daring, but additionally understated matte black cuboid. The console launched with only a few games that come wherever near showcasing its simmering brute energy, not to mention something you can’t expertise elsewhere. It’s not simply the games both. The dashboard and the controller (particularly if you’re utilizing an outdated Xbox One pad) will elicit emotions of deja vu for any current Xbox person. The Series X stubbornly refuses to play the technology recreation. What it does have, nevertheless, is imaginative and prescient.
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
The PS4/Xbox One period was the longest in online game historical past. With future-proofing inside each machines, it appears inevitable that the PS5/XSX technology will at the least match and even surpass these eight lengthy years. In that point, the form of the gaming panorama is anticipated to morph as cloud gaming, subscription providers, and cross-platform help change into extra outstanding. Right now, the Xbox is main on all three of those fronts by fairly some margin. Sony might up its recreation, but when you’re extra inquisitive about investing $500+ after subscriptions on a steady, formidable ecosystem over the (admittedly enticing) need for immediate gratification, the Xbox Series X is the way in which to go. Of course, if you’re seeking to save much more money and don’t thoughts dropping some processing grunt and a disc drive, you would possibly wish to contemplate the Xbox Series S as an alternative.
With all that stated, the PS5 is arguably a extra enticing prospect proper now. While the rising Xbox Game Studios household might properly kickstart a brand new wave of contemporary classics for the inexperienced model, Sony’s steady of builders has proved its pedigree over the previous few years. Throw within the surprise of the DualSense controller and the superior choice of games from Japanese builders — a persistent weak spot for the Xbox model — and there are many causes to choose up a PlayStation 5.
Buying any console within the first few months following a launch is of venture. The PS5 seems to be primed for higher short-term success after changing into formally the fastest-selling console of all-time. I’d even be mendacity if I stated I haven’t loved enjoying games on the PS5 greater than I’ve the Xbox Series X. The DualSense actually does make a distinction. Yet, I can also’t deny that if you don’t care about new unique games (a large if) and don’t already personal a reliable gaming PC (the place virtually all the Xbox exclusives are absolutely playable), the Series X represents unbelievable worth alongside an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
The backside line is that the PS5 and Xbox Series X are unbelievable consoles that ooze potential. Regardless of the contrasting methods, they’re each equally laser-focused on making console gaming one of the best it’s ever been.
PlayStation 5
The PS5 is the newest PlayStation residence console from Sony. It incorporates a super-fast {custom} SSD and a redesigned DualSense controller with superior haptics and adaptive triggers.
Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s newest elite gaming machine that’s seeking to blow away the competitors within the ninth console technology with bleeding-edge know-how and the unbelievable worth of Xbox Game Pass.
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