When you put the PS5 and Xbox Series S side by side, both consoles are stiff by comparison, but they both have their distinct pros and cons depending on what kind of experience you're looking for.
When it comes to price and availability, Microsoft's cheapest and most compact diskless machine seems like a no-brainer. But what if you're not ready to say goodbye to physical media, but also want to get a taste of what the next generation of video games has to offer? In the case of the PS5, it's not just about 4K resolution and higher frame rates, but also new immersive haptic and aural sensations provided by the DualSense controller and 3D audio.
Of course, Xbox Series S still offers a solid proposition that gives you access to hundreds of next-gen titles and features like Quick Resume and blazing-fast load times. More titles are also expected to be exclusive to Microsoft's latest consoles in 2022, such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport. But does it always feel more like an iterative update rather than a dive into the new?
However, it's not exactly the heavyweight-lightweight matchup if you think it is. Ultimately, it all comes down to what kind of experience you're looking for, so we've got all the details to help you make an informed decision.
PS5 vs Xbox Series S price and release date
The PS5 launched on November 12, 2020, while the Xbox Series S took a slight lead and launched on November 10, 2020, the same date as Microsoft's flagship Xbox Series X console.
Although the price hasn't changed since its launch, the Xbox Series S is still by far the cheapest next-gen console on the market at just $299 / £249 / AU$499, compared to the PS5's price of €499.99 / €449.99 / AU$749.95.
Last year in the UK, GAME also had a deal where customers could trade in an Xbox One model or other next-gen console (including Nintendo Switch) for a Series S for just €99, making the upgrade even more of a bargain. .
That whopping $200 price difference would make the Series S a clear winner for cash-strapped folks still wanting to get into the latest generation of consoles. But if you have a bigger budget, that's not the only factor to consider when shopping for a new console.
PS5 specs vs. Xbox Series S
In terms of raw power, the PS5 is much more powerful than the Xbox Series S, both technically and from what you can see, hear and feel. The Series S specs are considerably less powerful and also fundamentally different from the Xbox Series X, though they both share the same custom octa-core AMD Zen 2 processor. Check out the official PS5 specs below:
- UPC: Custom AMD Ryzen Zen 2 Octa Core up to 3,5 GHz (Variable Frequency)
- GPU: 10,3 teraflops, variable frequency, up to 2,23 GHz
- RAM: 16 GB of GDDR6 memory
- Frames per second: up to 120fps
- Resolution: up to 8K
- Optical: Ultra HD Blu-ray
- Storage room: 825GB NVMe SSD
What those specs don't include is that the PS5 also offers a more immersive gaming experience thanks to the controller's DualSense haptics, adaptive triggers, and built-in speaker and microphone, the latter of which also works for voice chat if it doesn't. have a headset. Its Tempest 3D audio engine also enables spatial surround sound technology, which now works through the TV's speakers instead of just through the headphones. These features are exploited particularly effectively with Sony's own titles, including Astro's Playroom, which comes pre-installed on every PlayStation 5.
The Xbox Series S feels more like an iterative update to the Xbox One, though it's still a capable next-gen console that can still run the same games as the Xbox Series X as long as it's free. 1440p, which can still be converted to 4K. Some games go up to 4K resolution, like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, but that's not the norm.
Xbox One X owners may consider the Xbox Series S to be an older version as it does not support native 4K and therefore backwards compatible games do not include improvements made to Xbox One X consoles. However The more affordable Xbox takes advantage of FPS Boost, a feature where Microsoft has improved the frame rates of certain backward-compatible games and is capable of ray tracing, 120Hz output, and has super-fast load times thanks to its NVMe SSD. . Check out the Xbox Series S specs below:
- UPC: AMD custom octa-core 7nm 3,6GHz (3,4GHz with SMT)
- GPU: 4 teraflops at 1.550 GHz
- RAM: 10 GB of GDDR6 memory
- Frames per second: up to 120fps
- Resolution: 1440p with 4K upscaling
- Optical: No disk drive
- Storage room: 512GB NVMe SSD
One of the Series S's weak points is its tiny 512GB of storage, which will leave you short on space if you already have Grand Theft Auto 5 and/or the latest Call of Duty installed. Seagate's proprietary storage expansion cards, while much more convenient to plug in than having to open up the PS5 and screw in an SSD, are also expensive, which might lead some to wonder why they haven't simply invested in the Series. X more powerful. to the place.
However, you can also opt for a more affordable external hard drive to keep games in cold storage, while running next-gen games (but without the benefit of faster load times). At launch, the PS5 didn't have the ability to put games on an external hard drive, but Sony has since updated the system to allow for this functionality. Of course, if you want to play Xbox Series S-optimized games or PS5 titles, you'll need to transfer them to the internal drive.
There's one area where the Series S wins hands down: and that's based on size. While the PS5 is divisive and the second heaviest PlayStation ever, the Xbox Series S is Microsoft's smallest Xbox, making it easy to fit under your TV or next to any other hardware vying for space. storage. It's also surprisingly portable.
PS5 games vs. Xbox Series S
Los juegos son subjetivos, pero pasemos a la principal diferencia práctica, ya que estamos comparando una consola basada en disco con una consola sin disco. If you're buying an Xbox Series S, it's almost imperative that you sign up for Xbox Game Pass in order to get the best bang for your buck so you can access a huge library of games, including first-party titles from Microsoft right from the start. dia. , download online or play through the cloud, if you are an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber.
However, if you're looking for possibly the biggest blockbusters that can't be played anywhere else, like Demon's Souls, Returnal, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, then the PS5 is the console for you. That sense of exclusivity may have been tempered slightly by Sony's u-turn to bring some PS5-developed games to PS4, but there's no denying that those games don't play better on Sony's latest machine, as evidenced by new titles like Horizon Forbidden. West and Gran Turismo 7.
However, exclusive PS5 games come at a cost, with Sony pricing its top titles at $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$124.95. The upside is that you can at least find the boxed copies online, usually at a discount, and you always have the option to redeem them when you're done with them. Some publishers have also included free next-gen upgrades or small upgrade fees if you already own the PS4 copy, though Microsoft has always handled this better with its Smart Delivery system.
Still, despite being able to seamlessly play four generations of Xbox titles on the same console without the save and transfer bug, a common complaint is that there just aren't enough new console exclusives from Microsoft to get excited about, at least not yet. . While Game Pass offers incredible value for money, its library isn't permanent either, as some of Microsoft's own games, including Forza Horizon 3 and Forza Motorsport 7, have been removed from the service.
Things certainly picked up in late 2021 with the release of Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite, but it looks like Xbox owners will have to wait until November for the next big release in the form of Bethesda's Starfield. Still, many of Microsoft's other recent studio acquisitions will start to pay off in the near future in the form of new games, including new titles from Activision Blizzard.
PS5 vs Xbox Series S Verdict
Ultimately it will come down to personal preference as to which console is the best to go for, but clearly there are pros and cons to each. The Xbox Series S wins on price and form factor, while also being more widely available than the PS5 or its flagship big brother, the Xbox Series X. You'll want to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass to get the most out of it, though. while regularly managing your storage capacity.
Although it's more expensive, bulkier, and harder to find, for many the features of the PS5 really do feel like stepping into a new generation of consoles, and a steady stream of blockbuster exclusives make excellent use of the PS5's unique features. the PlayStation. XNUMX to justify the expensive initial investment.
If you're itching to get into next-gen gaming now, then the Xbox Series S is an affordable entry point that still gives you the option to save up for a PS5 later if the price drops, improves in price, or becomes available. . At the time, Sony may have also introduced a PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro.