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If you’re in the market for a new gaming console, your best choices will be between the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. These are the top next-gen options available, and both offer a deep and impressive library of games.
But they are not created equal. If you only have the cash to spend on one, you need to know which is superior between the PS5 vs the Xbox Series X.
Key Takeaways
- Techopedia compares the PS5 vs Xbox Series X in a battle of the consoles.
- PS5 has more exclusive games, whereas Xbox focuses on Game Pass and wider backward compatibility.
- PS5 has faster load times; Xbox Series X offers Quick Resume and Smart Delivery.
- Both consoles support up to 8K/120fps, and minor GPU differences are negligible.
- PS5 leads with 56 million units sold compared to Xbox Series X at 28 million.
- Price: PS5: $400 (digital), $500 (standard); Xbox Series X: $450.
- Show Full Guide
Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X: Why Does It Matter?
The Playstation 5 console is Sony’s answer to next-gen gaming. It offers amazing performance, almost instant loading, fantastic exclusive titles, and an advanced controller with haptic feedback built in. If you’re willing to invest in some extra hardware, you can even dive into VR with the PSVR2 for an added layer of immersion.
The Xbox Series X is no slouch when it comes to power, either. It can run most third-party games just as well as the PS5, though that isn’t always the case. It has fewer exclusive games, but other benefits like smart delivery, Game Pass, and Cloud gaming.
While both next-gen consoles share similar specs, they have different eco-systems, different features, different publishers and games, and, like any good competition, fans on both sides.
But which is better?
Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X: Specs
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Graphics
If you were to just look at the specs, you might think the Xbox Series X has the edge over the PS5 thanks to almost two teraflops of additional GPU power. In reality, that small technical difference hasn’t been distinguishable at all.
Both the PS5 and Xbox consoles can support up to 8K resolutions, though only one PS5 game currently supports that resolution. Most games stick to 1440p or 4K, depending on the game and graphics mode selected.
There are some examples of games that do look a little better on PS5 vs Xbox Series X, but the average person won’t notice.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Performance
The biggest difference in performance players will notice in the Xbox Series X vs PS5 is loading times. The PS5’s special SSD really is a difference maker here, with games loading in seconds (sometimes almost instantly), while the Xbox console, in the worst cases, can take up to a minute to get you into the game.
Game performance is similar on both platforms. Depending on the game, both will run at a very similar frame rate and resolution.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Features
Each next-gen console has a couple of unique features that might sway you one way or the other. The Xbox Series X has Quick Resume, for example. This option lets you pick up your game, even after putting the console to sleep or switch to a different game instantly without needing to boot it up from scratch. Smart Delivery is another standout feature that always plays the most current version of a game on your console.
The PS5’s features are more varied, starting with VR support. Game Help and Activities are other little nice ways to get some help while playing without resorting to picking up your phone or going to a computer.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Games
If you want the absolute broadest library of games to pick from, the PS5 easily outpaces the Series X. While PS5 has plenty of exclusive franchises, most Xbox exclusives eventually make their way to the PS5.
So while Xbox has major publishers like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, at worst PlayStation players will have to wait a few months to a year before the games eventually hit the platform.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Sales
Based on the latest data we have, the PS5 is crushing the Series X in sales.
The current estimates put the total sales of the PS5 vs Xbox Series X at 56 million to 28 million, respectively.
That puts the number of PS5s sold almost 29 million above the Series X.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Price
The PS5 comes in two versions: digital or standard for either $400 or $500 respectively.
The Series X falls right in the middle at $450.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Cloud Gaming
Both consoles offer cloud gaming, but the Xbox Series X has a more robust system with XCloud. Not all games can be played via the cloud, but a huge number of Xbox, 360, Xbox One, and Series X games are available to stream to your console, PC, or mobile device.
PS5’s streaming is more limited to certain PS3, PS4, and PS5 games. You can stream to your console or PC, but not mobile devices.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Backwards Compatibility
The PS5 is natively backwards compatible with PS4 games, but you can also download or stream select titles from the PS1, PSP, PS2, and PS3 via PlayStation Plus Premium.
The Xbox Series X will run any Xbox game you have the disc for, plus offers most of its past library on the Xbox store and through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Should I buy an Xbox Series X or PS5?
If you want to have access to as many games as possible, I can’t recommend the PS5 highly enough. You will have all the PlayStation exclusives, equal or better performance, plenty of classic titles to go back to, and even a growing list of Xbox games.
The Series X can hold its own in terms of power but lacks the same level of enticing content as the PS5.
Its low sales may also point to a troubling future for the Xbox brand.
The Bottom Line
We are only halfway through the console generation, but the PS5 has taken such a strong lead that the Xbox Series X cannot hope to catch up. Which does not make it a baf console.
If you are looking for a next-gen console at this point, our recommendation is the PS5, largely for the games library. But either way, both platforms will bring you plenty of pleasure.
