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The Xbox Series X (left) and PS5 (right), side by side.
Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images via Getty Images
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are the respective flagship video game consoles from Sony and Microsoft. Both systems are among the best gaming consoles you can buy, and have earned record-setting sales since their launch in November 2020.
So far, the PS5 has been the better selling console of the two with more than 40 million units sold, but each system offers similar hardware and overall performance. Sony has driven PS5 sales with blockbuster exclusives like Spider-Man 2 and God of War: Ragnarok. Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to add value to the Series X with Xbox Game Pass, its Netflix-style gaming subscription, which is home to the biggest Xbox exclusives, like Starfield and Forza Motorsport.
A new, slimmer version of the PS5 will launch in November with slightly more storage space and a removeable disc drive. This redesign will replace the original model once existing stock runs out. Microsoft hasn’t announced any design revisions for the Xbox Series X, but it did release an updated version of its entry-level console, the Xbox Series S, with more storage in 2023.
When comparing the PS5 versus Xbox Series X, it becomes clear that each system has its own strengths and weaknesses that might push buyers in one direction or the other. After three years of using both consoles, we broke down what the PS5 and Xbox Series X each do best to help you decide which is right for your gaming needs.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Performance
Resident Evil 4 is one of the best looking games available for both PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Resident Evil 4 / Capcom
In head-to-head comparisons for newly released games, the PS5 and Xbox Series X deliver similar performance for graphics and loading times.
In terms of hardware, the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 improve on previous consoles with new solid state drives and enhanced processors. In practice, that means new games need just a fraction of the loading times required on PS4 and Xbox One, and installing games takes significantly less time too.
The new graphics processors are capable of ray tracing, an advanced lighting feature first introduced for PC games. Ray tracing gives games on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles more realistic reflections and lighting based on the in-game environment, creating visuals that are too demanding for older machines.
Both systems are also capable of outputting games in 4K resolution with high dynamic range (HDR) at up to 120 frames per second (FPS), though most games typically cap performance at 30 or 60 FPS. The new consoles can also improve the overall resolution and frame rate of demanding games originally designed for Xbox One and PS4, like Cyberpunk 2077.
Neither console has a clear edge in raw visual performance since they both have comparable hardware with a lot of the same graphical capabilities.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Games
Spider-Man 2 launched as a PS5 exclusive in October.
Spider-Man 2 / Sony
The PS5 and Xbox both have impressive game libraries, including many popular cross-platform franchises that you can get on either console, like the Assassin’s Creed, Madden, Call of Duty, and Resident Evil series. But the PS5 has demonstrated a slight edge when it comes to exclusives.
PlayStation consoles boast a growing list of popular titles that aren’t available on Xbox or computers, like Final Fantasy XVI, Spider-Man 2, God of War: Ragnarok, Gran Turismo 7, and Horizon: Forbidden West. Of course, Microsoft has its own exclusive series too, like Halo, Forza, and Gears, but these games are also available on Windows PCs.
And though many new PS5 titles are still being released on the PS4, there are now several games that have been developed from the ground up just for the PlayStation 5. The same can’t be said for the Xbox Series X. PS5 exclusives like Final Fantasy XVI and Spider-Man 2 provide an impressive demonstration of what’s possible on the PlayStation 5 hardware. More exclusives are on the way as well, like Marvel’s Wolverine.
Starfield is one of the biggest Xbox exclusives of 2023 but it’s also on PC.
Starfield / Xbox
Meanwhile, Microsoft has taken a more inclusive approach with games on Xbox platforms. Most newer Xbox originals, like Halo Infinite, are still designed to work on older Xbox One consoles and Windows PCs. These games do perform at higher levels on the Series X, but there are compromises in design that make them feel less advanced when compared to PS5’s top offerings that have been built specifically with the newer console’s strengths in mind.
Microsoft Flight Simulator was one of the first Series X/S titles to forgo compatibility with older Xbox One systems due to its demanding visuals. Starfield, one 2023’s biggest Xbox exclusives, only works on Xbox Series X/S or PC as well. However, because you can get even better performance in Starfield, Flight Simulator, and other Xbox titles on a powerful PC, the Series X still feels less essential for a premium gaming experience.
Which console has the best lineup of games will mostly come down to each gamer’s personal preferences, but the PS5 has more exclusive titles in its current and upcoming lineup that actually require a PlayStation to play.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Console and controller features
Horizon Call of the Mountain is available on the PS VR2.
Horizon Call of the Mountain / Sony
The Xbox Series X fails to match some of the PS5 system’s unique features. Most notably, the PS5’s DualSense controller has a few extra capabilities, like a built-in speaker and sensitive haptic feedback, that are not available on the Xbox controller.
Several PS5 games utilize the DualSense’s haptic feedback to create specific rumble effects that are designed to produce a more immersive experience. For example, players can accurately feel the kickback when they pull a gun trigger, or sense the tension of a bow as they aim.
While these features don’t make a huge difference in gameplay, they make playing the PS5 feel like a more distinct experience. The PS5 also supports the new PlayStation VR2 headset, which further adds to the number of enhanced gameplay options on the console.
Xbox Series X does have its own console-exclusive features like Quick Resume, which stores the exact place you stopped playing and lets you swap between games without lengthy initial loading screens. However, Quick Resume doesn’t work for every game and mostly speeds up navigation rather than enhancing your gameplay experience.
However, Microsoft has offered more frequent updates to the Xbox’s user interface and has clearly delineated video settings and customizable menus. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 was a bit slower to adopt new features like variable refresh rate and 1440p resolution.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Backwards compatibility
The Xbox Series X can play lots of games from older Xbox consoles, like Halo 3.
Bungie
Xbox Series X beats PlayStation 5 when it comes to backwards compatibility, which is a feature that lets you play games from older consoles. The Xbox Series X can recognize game discs dating back to the original Xbox, which was released in 2001.
The standard PS5 model with a disc drive can play most PS4 game discs, but discs from the PlayStation 3 and earlier are not compatible. However, Sony has made dozens of the most popular PlayStation 1, PS2, and PSP titles downloadable for PS5 with PlayStation Plus. The current selection hardly compares to the hundreds of games available with the Xbox Series X’s true backwards compatibility, but PlayStation Plus Premium is steadily growing to compete with Xbox Game Pass.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Gaming subscription services
Xbox Game Pass lets you play tons of games for a monthly subscription fee.
Microsoft
You can get access to more than 100 new and classic downloadable games with an Xbox Game Pass subscription ($10-$17/month), including Microsoft’s latest exclusives. Sony also has a subscription service of its own, called PlayStation Plus, which offers hundreds of games with its Extra plan ($15/month), but it rarely includes brand-new releases like Xbox Game Pass.
In addition to downloading titles, both Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus allow players to stream select games to their consoles without installing them. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers this feature for $17 a month, with streaming also available on mobile devices, PCs, and Samsung smart TVs. Meanwhile, PlayStation Plus members need a Premium plan ($18/month) for cloud gaming and streaming support is limited to just PS5 and PC.
PlayStation Plus gives members a discount when they sign up for a quarterly or annual subscription, while Game Pass only offers long term discounts for its lowest subscription tier, Xbox Game Pass Core.
When comparing Xbox Game Pass versus PlayStation Plus, Game Pass feels slightly more robust thanks to having lots of new titles, more features, and more options for streaming, but the PlayStation Plus catalog still has plenty of hit games to enjoy. Neither subscription service is impactful enough to make one console better than the other.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Media capabilities
The Xbox Series X lets you stream shows like “The Mandalorian” with Dolby Vision HDR.
Disney Plus
As media players, the PS5 and Xbox Series X both offer a robust set of features, but Xbox has a few minor perks.
The Xbox Series X and standard PS5 model both have 4K Blu-ray players for watching Ultra HD movies with high dynamic range (HDR) support. However, neither console supports the Dolby Vision HDR format when playing discs. But, the Xbox Series X does support Dolby Vision through streaming apps, which makes it a better choice for watching services like Netflix and Disney Plus if you have a Dolby Vision TV.
Xbox also offers movies and TV shows from a variety of studios for sale via the Microsoft Store, while the PlayStation 5 only has access to movie rentals and purchases from Sony Pictures.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: The bottom line
The PS5’s exclusive games and unique features give it a slight edge over the Xbox Series X.
BI Photo/Isabel Fernandez Pujol
While the PS5 and Xbox Series X are similar in terms of quality and performance, the PS5’s exclusive games and gameplay-focused features make it more enticing for buyers who want an immersive experience and don’t want to miss major releases.
Xbox Series X succeeds as a powerful media center with access to more than 15 years worth of Xbox games, but the ability to also play the newest Xbox titles on PC and, in most cases, Xbox One make the Series X less of a must-have machine.
While early supply shortages made it difficult to find the PS5 and Xbox Series X in stores, the consoles are now widely available. New console buyers won’t be disappointed with either machine, and if you’ve already invested in prior Xbox or PlayStation systems, it’s now the perfect time to upgrade.
