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Over the next few months you’re going to be endlessly bludgeoned by one key question within the gaming sphere, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?
Of course, you might be interested in neither and content with current-gen systems. Or, if you’re living in a rich reality, you might even have the fortunes to splash on both.
But console wars weren’t fought among the wealthy fence-sitters, it’s in the dark recesses of everyone with lighter wallets and frivolous consumer preferences.
So should you buy a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S? Here’s what each console offers.
Which should you pick up?
PlayStation 5 vs Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S specifications
| Spec | PS5 | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
| Optical drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray drive | None |
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 RAM (256-bit) | 16 GB GDDR6 RAM | 10GB GDDR6 RAM |
| Memory bandwidth | 448GB/s | 10GB at 560GB/s, 6GB at 335GB/s | 8GB at 224GB/s, 2GB at 56GB/s |
| CPU | 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz | 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.8GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT) | 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.8GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT) |
| GPU | Custom AMD Radeon RDNA Navi 10.28 teraflops, 36 CUs at 2.23GHz (supports ray tracing and 3D Audio) | Custom AMD Radeon RDNA Navi 12 teraflops, 52 CUs at 1.825GHz (supports DirectX ray tracing) | Custom AMD Radeon RDNA 4 teraflops, 20 CUs at 1.55GHz (supports DirextX ray tracing) |
| Video output | 4k, 120hz refresh rate, supports 8k | Native 4k, supports 8k, up to 120hz | 1440p, 4k support through upscaling, 120fps |
| Data transfer speed | 5.5GB/S (Raw), 8-9GB/S (Compressed) | 2.4gB/s (Raw), 4.8GB/s (Compressed) | 2.4gB/s (Raw), 4.8GB/s (Compressed) |
| Storage | Custom 825GB SSD | 1TB NVME SSD | 512GB NVME SSD |
| External storage | NVMe SSD Slot, USB HDD Support | Seagate Proprietary External 1TB SSD Expansion Card, USB 3.2 HDD Support | Seagate Proprietary External 1TB SSD Expansion Card, USB 3.2 HDD Support |
Prices and release date
| PS5 | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | |
| Price | £449/$499for model with disc drive, digital-only £359.99/$399 | £449/$499 | £249/$299 |
| Release date | 12th November for certain territories (US, Australia), 19th November for UK and Europe | 10th November | 10th November |
| Monthly plan payment? | N/A | Yes | Yes |
What about the controllers?
The PS5 DualSense controller features haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, which allows certain actions, like pulling back an arrow on a bow, feel more realistic through vibrations and increased resistance.
The DualSense controller
It also features a built-in microphone, an audio jack, and a new 'Create' button - which essentially replaces the 'Share' button on the PS4.
The Xbox Series X controller
The Xbox Series X controller meanwhile features an improved d-pad, a new Share button, and some revamped triggers - although it’s largely the same as the previous model.
Backwards compatibility
Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X will deliver a variety of performance enhancements for backwards compatible games, with the company stating earlier this year thousands of games across the original Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One will be playable on the console.
Xbox Series S
Whereas the Xbox Series X makes numerous enhancements to backwards compatible games, the Xbox Series S will only include some minor tweaks - including more consistent frame rates and faster loading.
In fact, it won’t actually even support the same enhancements you’ll find on their current Xbox One X hardware (via VGC).
- Read more: Here’s where you can preorder PS5
PlayStation 5
In an interview with The Washington Post, Sony president and CEO Jim Ryan stated “99 per cent” of PS4 titles will be backwards compatible on the console.
Interestingly, Sony is also offering a Games Pass-esque service titled the PS Plus Collection - which will give subscribers access to a catalogue of PS4 titles including Bloodborne and God of War.
What games are available on launch day?
Xbox Series X
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Destiny 2: Beyond Light
- Dirt 5
- Fortnite
- Gears Tactics
- Tetris Effect: Connected
- Yakuza: Like A Dragon
- Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
Microsoft previously stated no exclusive Xbox Series X titles will be available on launch day, while Halo Infinite has been delayed to 2021.
There will also be a wealth of titles available via Xbox Games Pass.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales arrives on PS5 and PS4 (Picture: Insomniac)
PlayStation 5
- Astro’s Playroom (packed with the console)
- Demon’s Souls
- Destruction All Stars
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition
- Sackboy A Big Adventure
- Fortnite
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
- Devil May Cry 5 special edition
There’s also titles available on the PS Plus Collection service, including Bloodborne, God of War and Uncharted 4.
So which console is the best value?
Each console has both their upsides - with the PS5 boasting the stronger line-up of exclusive games, while Microsoft is easily the best value for money considering it’s cheap Xbox Series S option and Xbox Games Pass.
It’s arguably far easier to see why you’d invest in a PS5 however at this stage, with games like a new God of War, Horizon Forbidden West, Final Fantasy XVI and more exclusive to the platform. Xbox Series X does have future exclusives like Hellblade 2 and Halo Infinite, although the majority of those will also arrive on PC.
Essentially, it all (obviously) depends on your current cash situation, made friendlier on Xbox with the monthly payment plan option, or where your friends are heading to. Although you didn't need us to tell you that.
