The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are the two devices that all console players have their eyes on. The consoles set the basis for the next generation of console gaming. And both are extremely strong options. But which has the edge over the other?
It is instantly worth mentioning that the Xbox Series X at the time of writing this blog is very widely available compared to the PS5. And you can easily get it at most of your favourite retailers. Whereas the PS5 can still prove a bit tricky to get your hands on.
If you are still looking for one of these consoles, then it may be worth checking out our console range. We may just have the console you are looking for.
Storage
We are going to start this comparison the way we usually do, and that is by looking at the base storage and expansion options. Immediately you can see the difference, with the PS5 having a base storage size of 825GB compared to the Xbox Series X’s 1TB. It isn’t an enormous differential, but it is still worth mentioning. Game storage requirements are only getting higher, so if you want to be able to install all your games and have a bit more breathing room afterwards, then the Xbox Series X edges in front of the PS5.
Before we move onto expansion options, it is worth looking at games that are optimised storage-wise for both consoles. The best example of this is Dying Light 2. On Xbox Series X, the base version of this game takes up 72GB. But on PS5, it only takes up 32.5GB. And this is the same for quite a few games. This is all thanks to a special compression technique that developers can take advantage of on the PS5. Though this can be quite beneficial and help save a lot of storage space on your PS5, it ultimately comes down to what games use this technique and which don’t.
When it comes to Xbox Series X and PS5 storage expansion options, there are a few options that you can have. But work in different ways. To expand your PS5 storage, there are three methods. The first, and best option, is to install an NVMe SSD. An NVMe SSD is recommended as they improve performance for PS4 and PS5 games, whereas external don’t. You can use an external HDD or SSD, but you can only play PS4 games on them, and those games will not be near enough as fast as the internal SSD. To increase the amount of storage size you have for PS5 games, you will need to install an SSD.
The Xbox Series X, however, is a lot easier. The Xbox Series X has a dedicated Seagate storage expansion slot. Where all you need to do is get a Seagate storage expansion and plug it into the slot. Then your storage is immediately increased.
Verdict: The Xbox Series X wins this one. Not only does it have higher base storage, but its expansion options are better when it comes to ease of use. And as both consoles utilise solid state drives, both feature a very similar boot and installation time.
Performance
When it comes to graphical performance, both consoles sit at a very similar level. With both fully capable of native 4K. But when we look at the specific GPUs, we can start to see which has the slight edge. The PS5 has a 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU, whereas the Xbox Series has a 12-teraflop custom RDNA 2 GPU. Meaning that the Xbox Series X has a bit more graphical power than the PS5. Though it isn’t a massive difference, the Xbox Series X can handle higher frame rates and resolution than the PS5 can.
The Xbox Series X also gains a bit of an edge when it comes to all-around performance too, thanks to its slightly faster and more powerful processor. With its 3.8 GHz 8-core custom Zen 3 CPU, you will find that the Xbox Series X is ever so slightly faster. The PS5, in comparison, has a 3.5 GHz 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU.
But, in both cases, you will not be disappointed with the performance. Both are fully capable of up to 120fps and feature 16GBs of GDDR6 RAM.
Verdict: The Xbox Series X has a slight edge over the PS5 in terms of performance. But it is very close, with both consoles you will get a very smooth and fast performance.
Size and Design
When it comes to size and design, both consoles are quite different. With the Xbox Series X features a cuboid design, and the PS5 has a more curved and taller design. And the difference is displayed through the dimensions. The PS5 sits at 390 x 260 x 104 mm, and the Xbox Series X at 151 x 151 x 301 mm. The PS5 is quite a bit taller than the Xbox Series X but quite thinner at the same time. And the Xbox Series X is the other way around obviously. And ultimately which is better comes down to preference.
When it comes to ports that you can utilise, the PS5 has a wider array of options. Featuring a USB Type-A Port (Hi-Speed USB), 2x USB Type-A Port (Super-Speed USBGbps), a USB Type-C (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps), along with an HDMI 2.1 port. This is compared to the Xbox Series X’s three USB 3.0 ports and the same HDMI 2.1 port.
But one of the biggest points is that with the PS5, you have an option between a disc version and a digital version. With the Xbox Series X, you don’t get this option and will always have a disc drive. Having this option is quite significant, as if you don’t feel you need a disc drive with the PS5, you can save some money and opt for the digital version.
Verdict: This one is going to the PS5. The wide array of options when it comes to its ports means that you have wider connectivity options. And the option of having a disc drive or not can be quite beneficial if you are looking to save a bit of cash.
Controller
We don’t normally compare the controller options between both consoles, but with the PS5 having its dedicated controller, it is worth mentioning.
The PS5 DualSense controller has several features that stand out compared to the Xbox Series X controller. You have the built-in microphone, interactable trackpad, motion sensors and light bar, all of which the Xbox Series X controller lacks. But the notable two are haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Both add a level of realism that you cannot find in any other controller to this day.
Haptic feedback adjusts the vibration intensity based on what is happening in the game. Imagine an earthquake is happening, haptic feedback would raise the vibration momentarily to match the quake, before slowing down. Haptic feedback can also be focused on different parts of the controller. Say for instance an object hits the floor on your left in the game, you would feel the vibration on the left side of the controller.
Adaptive triggers adjust the resistance of the trigger based on what you are using in your game. A good example of this is when you are driving a car. When speeding up, the triggers would feel more resistant until the point of max speed, to match the gradual increase.
The advantage that the Xbox Series X has, is that you do not need to have a particular controller to play. With the PS5, you must have a PS5 controller to play. But with the Xbox Series X, you can use an Xbox One controller, Xbox Elite controller or the standard Xbox Series controller.
Verdict: The Xbox Series X has wide compatibility options when it comes to the controller. The better controller ultimately belongs to the PS5. The DualSense controller leaps ahead of the standard Xbox Series controller thanks to its various additional features.
Conclusion
Now down to the question. Should I get a PS5 or Xbox Series X? Overall, the Xbox Series X is the stronger option when it comes to performance and storage options. But only slightly. Both consoles are very strong and feature great specs. And ultimately, you will not be disappointed with either.
As mentioned at the start of this blog, the Xbox Series X is far more available than the PS5. So, if you aren’t keen on waiting, the Xbox Series X is going to be a lot easier to get your hands on at a retail price.
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