The gaming industry has seen an incredible evolution in the past decade, with the emergence of new technology and gaming consoles. The latest generation of consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, are two of the most advanced gaming consoles in the market right now, and the debate over which one is better is a hot topic among gaming enthusiasts. The gaming community has been divided into two groups, the one in favor of PS5, and the second in favor of Xbox Series X. The online debate on Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit will never end, but rest assured these gaming consoles are the best in the market right now. In this blog, we’ll take an in-depth look at both consoles and determine which one comes out on top.
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The parameters of comparison are mentioned below for a better understanding:
- Release Date
- Price
- Built Quality
- Performance
- Design
- Exclusive Games
- Backward Compatibility
- User Interface
- Controller
- Online Gaming
- Storage
- Service after sales
1. Release Date
Both consoles have been launched in the international market in November 2020. PlayStation 5 was launched on 12 November 2020 and Xbox Series X was launched on 10 November 2020. However, the demand for PS5 is much larger than for Xbox Series X and it has been noted that PS5 has been sold in the black market for more than INR 1 lakhs. The reasons are obvious but we will figure them out later in this post.
2. Price
Price is always a significant factor when it comes to purchasing a new console. The Xbox Series X and PS5 are similarly priced, with the Xbox Series X costing INR 50K-55K (physical disc variant) and the PS5 costing around INR 50K-55K for the standard edition and INR45K-50K for the digital edition.
While the price is similar, the PS5 offers a cheaper digital edition for those who don’t need a disc drive, which could be a deciding factor for some gamers. Additionally, the PS5 has been more readily available than the Xbox Series X, which could affect the price in the secondary market.
Winner: Tie
3. Built Quality
The outer body of both consoles is made of plastic. PS5 is made of HDPE which makes the body tougher. Although the bodies are made of plastic it doesn't compromise the durability of the device. Both devices are highly durable and long-lasting, it is worth noting that consoles are devices that need to be installed in a particular place and don't require any movement after installation.
Winner: Tie
4. Performance
When it comes to performance, both consoles have impressive specs, with a lot of similarities between them. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X use AMD Zen 2-based CPUs, with the PS5 running at 3.5 GHz and the Xbox Series X running at 3.8 GHz. In terms of GPU, both consoles use AMD RDNA 2 architecture, with the PS5 having 36 CUs at 2.23 GHz and the Xbox Series X having 52 CUs at 1.825 GHz. Both devices have GDDR6 16 GB RAM which makes the consoles very powerful.
However, the Xbox Series X has a slight edge over the PS5 in terms of performance, with its higher GPU count and clock speed. This translates to higher frame rates and faster load times, making it a better choice for gamers who prioritize performance.
Winner: Xbox Series X
5. Design
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| PS5 Vs Xbox Series X |
The design of a console can play a crucial role in the overall gaming experience. The PS5 has a unique, futuristic design that stands out from previous PlayStation consoles. It is an eye-catching console with a white and black color scheme and a blue light accent that adds to its overall aesthetic. The console can be placed vertically or horizontally, depending on the user's preference.
On the other hand, the Xbox Series X has a more traditional design, resembling a PC tower. It has a simple yet sleek black design that will fit in seamlessly with any gaming setup. The console can only be placed vertically, which may limit placement options for some gamers.
In terms of design, both consoles have their own unique style, but the PS5’s bold design takes the edge for its futuristic and striking look.
The weight of the PS5 physical disk variant is 4.45 kg (the digital's weight is 3.9 kg) and the weight of the Xbox Series X is 4.5kg.
Winner: PS5
6. Exclusive Games
One of the most significant factors that determine which console is better is the exclusive games that each console offers. Both consoles have an impressive lineup of exclusive games that are not available on any other platform.
The PS5 has a diverse range of exclusive games, including Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, GOW, Uncharted, Last of Us, and Horizon Forbidden West. These games have already received critical acclaim and are some of the most anticipated games of the year.
On the other hand, the Xbox Series X has its own set of exclusive games, including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Fable. While these games have not been released yet, they have a strong fan following and are expected to be a huge success.
In terms of exclusive games, both consoles have strong lineups, but the PS5’s current exclusives are more diverse and critically acclaimed.
Winner: PS5
7. Backward Compatibility
The ability to play older games on a new console is an important feature for gamers who want to revisit old favorites or have a vast library of games. The PS5 and Xbox Series X both have backward compatibility, but the Xbox Series X takes the edge in this category.
However, the PS5’s backward compatibility is more limited and doesn’t include all PS4 games, while the Xbox Series X’s backward compatibility is more extensive, with many games receiving performance enhancements on the new console.
The Xbox Series X is backward compatible with thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and even original Xbox games. In contrast, the PS5 can only play a limited number of PS4 games, with no support for PS3, PS2, or PS1 games.
Winner: Xbox Series X
8. User Interface
The user interface of a console can significantly impact the overall gaming experience. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X have redesigned user interfaces that offer an intuitive and seamless experience.
The PS5 has a new user interface that focuses on providing quick access to games and features. The home screen displays game tiles that users can quickly jump into, and the DualSense controller's haptic feedback enhances the navigation experience.
The Xbox Series X also has a redesigned user interface that emphasizes speed and accessibility. The home screen displays recently played games and offer quick access to the Xbox Game Pass, the console's subscription service.
Both user interfaces are well-designed and offer an intuitive experience, but the PS5’s DualSense controller's haptic feedback provides a unique and immersive experience that sets it apart.
Winner: PS5
9. Controller
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| PS5 vs Xbox Series X |
The controller is an essential part of the gaming experience, and both consoles have introduced new controllers with advanced features. The PS5 controller, DualSense, has haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that provide a more immersive experience. The Xbox Series X controller, Xbox Wireless Controller, has a new hybrid D-pad and a share button that makes it easy to capture and share gameplay footage.
Both controllers are well-designed and offer unique features, but the PS5’s DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers provide a more immersive gaming experience.
Winner: PS5
10. Online Gaming
Another aspect to consider when choosing between the PS5 and Xbox Series X is the online gaming experience. Both consoles offer online multiplayer gaming through their respective online services, PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold. Both services offer monthly free games, discounts on games and DLC, and exclusive access to betas and demos.
However, Xbox Live Gold has a slight edge over PlayStation Plus as it offers free monthly games for both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles, while PlayStation Plus only offers free games for the PS5. Additionally, Xbox Live Gold subscribers also have access to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a subscription service that offers access to over 100 games for both the Xbox and PC.
Winner: Xbox Series X
11. Storage
Both consoles come with an SSD for faster load times and improved performance. The PS5 has a custom 825GB SSD, while the Xbox Series X has a custom 1TB SSD. However, after accounting for system files, the available storage space on the PS5 is 667.2GB, while the Xbox Series X has 802GB.
The PS5 also offers expandable storage through an NVMe SSD, while the Xbox Series X has expandable storage through proprietary memory cards. Both options can be costly, but the Xbox Series X’s proprietary memory cards are more expensive.
Winner: PS5
12. Service After Sales
The service after sales of PlayStation is much better than Xbox Series X. One can easily go to the service center and can resolve the issue unlike in Xbox Series X. The service care of Xbox is difficult to cater and most of the time they ask to send the device to the dedicated service center as they don't have service centers on a large scale.
Winner: PlayStation 5
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are excellent gaming consoles that offer impressive specs, exclusive games, and advanced features. However, when it comes to choosing the better console, the PS5 edges out the Xbox Series X in most categories. The PS5’s futuristic design, diverse lineup of exclusive games, unique user interface, and advanced DualSense controller provide a more immersive gaming experience. While the Xbox Series X offers better performance and backward compatibility, it falls short in other areas.
Ultimately, the choice between the two consoles will come down to personal preference and what features are most important to the user. Both consoles have their strengths and weaknesses, and gamers should consider all aspects before making a decision.
Tags:
Gaming