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They are finally here. After years of rumors and anticipation, Microsoft (MSFT) and Sony (SNE) have officially launched their latest next-gen consoles. The new systems, dubbed Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 (PS5), promise a number of similar improvements over their predecessors, including ray tracing technology for more impressive graphics and solid-state storage drives. ultra-fast to reduce loading times.
All of this means that you are probably wondering, “What’s the difference between the two and which one should choose?” And that’s where I come in. So let’s break down the big differences and similarities between the two systems to give you a better idea of which one is right for you.
The biggest differences are in the price, the PS5’s awesome new DualSense controller, and naturally the types of exclusive games you can expect from both systems. And the latter will probably be the most important distinction that determines which console you choose.
Two versions of each console
The first thing you need to know about the new Xbox and the PlayStation is that there are actually two versions of each console. The $ 499 Xbox Series X is the top model, while the $ 299 Xbox Series S is the entry level offering.
The main difference between the X series and the S series is the graphics performance. With a more powerful processor, the X series can run games at true 4K resolutions. The S Series, on the other hand, runs games at 1440 resolution. For gamers looking for an incredibly crisp viewing experience, the X Series is probably the way to go.
Still, the S series can play games at 120 fps, just like the X series, and can output videos at 8K resolutions with HDR, although you will need to purchase an ultra high speed HDMI cable, which the series does. X included in its box.
The X series also gets a larger 1TB SSD, while the S series has a 512GB drive. In addition, the X series includes an optical disc drive, which allows you to purchase games. physical, unlike the S series. This means that you will have to download all of your games for the S.
Sony also offers two separate versions of its console: the PlayStation 5 at $ 499 and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at $ 399. The difference between the two is literally in their names. The standard PS5 comes with an optical disc drive so you can play physical media, while the digital edition sacrifices its disc drive for a nice cut in price.
Other than that, and a slight cosmetic change due to the lack of a digital edition player, both consoles are identical.
Graphics and performance
Microsoft touts the X series as the most powerful console ever. The X series and the PlayStation 5 run on Zen 2 processors from AMD (AMD) and use the same company’s RDNA 2 graphics processing unit. But Microsoft squeaks a few teraflops more than Sony, 12 teraflops for 10.28 teraflops.
What is a teraflop? In a nutshell, it’s the performance measure of a graphics chip. But that’s not the end, everything is possible to determine which system has the most punch.
Some games are bound to play better on one system or the other, regardless of horsepower, so relying on teraflops isn’t the best way to look at it here.
Instead, you should look at what the systems offer in terms of overall capabilities. They both feature ray tracing technology, which allows games to generate more realistic lighting effects; can play games at up to 120 frames per second for much smoother gameplay; and supports HDR and 4K gaming.
In reality, the systems are stacked fairly evenly. And after playing games on both, I can confidently say that they offer amazing graphics and performance, with really little difference.
New controllers
Now here’s where things get really interesting. Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 feature all-new controllers. The X Series is a kind of beefed up version of the Xbox One X controller but has an improved directional pad, Bluetooth Low Energy to connect to your PC or other devices, and reduced latency. All respectable improvements.
Sony, however, went fair a step further with the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. Not only is this remote heavier than the PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4, but it has some really impressive new capabilities.
There are the haptic feedback actuators which replace the old rumble motors and give players a more precise feel for what is going on in their game, whether it is trudging in the sand or firing a rocket. In my experience, the controller modulates feedback much better, so you can feel slight vibrations for small in-game interactions and strong shocks for in-game moments like crashing a car or shooting. a tank.
Better than that, however, are the DualSense’s adaptive trigger buttons. Now the L2 and R2 buttons create tension when you try to press them depending on the situation. In “Spider-Man: Miles Morales,” for example, the triggers create tension when you press them to fire your web shooters.
From a gameplay standpoint, I can see it impacting everything from horror games to racing titles and everything in between. This could be as big a step forward as adding vibration feedback to controllers, although that all depends on how the developers go about it.
What about the games?
Well, the most important question you are probably asking yourself. Well, out of the gate you’re not going to see a lot of exclusives for either console. Microsoft’s biggest launch title “Halo: Infinite” has been postponed until next year due to COVID-19-related slowdowns, a major disappointment for the company.
Sony, meanwhile, has “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” and its remake of “Demon Souls,” but nothing is quite a must-see new masterpiece. Both consoles, however, are getting high-flying new third-party titles in “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” and “WatchDogs: Legion”.
The two consoles also offer backward compatibility, with promising games from Microsoft as soon as the original Xbox works with the X and S series. PlayStation says PlayStation 4 games will work with the PS5.
Microsoft’s ace in the hole, however, is its GamePass subscription service, which lets you play over 100 titles on your Xbox anytime for $ 9.99 per month. It’s a great deal, and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you’re an Xbox gamer. Go to GamePass Ultimate and you’ll have access to those same games and Microsoft’s cloud gaming service, which lets you play your titles on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Sony has its own service called PlayStation Plus, which gives you two PlayStation 4 games per month. And with the PlayStation 5, Sony is adding the PlayStation Plus Collection, a group of 20 of the best PlayStation 4 games that offer improved load times and more stable frame rates.
Sony’s offering is certainly impressive, but you really can’t beat Microsoft’s GamePass deal, and it gives Microsoft a slight edge. On top of that, Microsoft is expected to close a deal to acquire ZeniMax Media by mid-fiscal 2021, which will give Microsoft access to titles like Bethesda and Id.
Which console should you get?
Ah, the most important question of all. Much like the divide between Android and iPhone users, Xbox and PlayStation users are loyal to their favorite console brand. If you are that type of person, you already know what you are going to get.
For everyone, it comes down to the future titles that these systems have to offer. With cross-play, in which players on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC can all play together, becoming more and more common, third-party games shouldn’t be a problem. In this case, it comes down to exclusives. And with Microsoft getting ZeniMax, it has seriously beefed up the Xbox game library.
But Sony has some of the best exclusive titles in the business, so you can never count them.
I’m a fan of both, so I would have both. But if that’s not for you, take a close look at what consoles have planned for future releases and base your judgment on it. And don’t forget, have fun!
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