PS5 vs one of Xbox’s’s latest consoles the Xbox Series S is something that a lot of gaming fans have been waiting to see, well in this article I would be stating it all for you. When placing the PS5 and Xbox Series S side by side, the two consoles are stark when compared, yet both their distinct benefits and drawbacks depending on what kind of experience you are looking for.
PS5 vs Xbox Series S
When it comes to price and availability, Microsoft’s cheaper, more compact, disc-less machine seems like a no-brainer. But what if you are not set to wave goodbye to physical media but also want a true taste of what the next generation of video games can offer? In the case of PS5, that’s not just 4k resolution and higher frame rates, but also new immersive haptic and aural sensations provided by the DualSense controller and 3D audio.
Of course, The Xbox Series S still offers a solid proposition that lets you access over one hundred titles and next-gen features like quick resume and blazing fast load times more titles are set to be exclusive to Microsoft’s latest consoles in 2022, too, such as starfield and Forza Motorsport. But does it feel like an iterative upgrade than a splash into the new?
This match up is not the heavyweight and lightweight match-up if you think it is, though. Ultimately, it rests on the kind of experience that you are going for, which is why we have got all the details to help you make an informed choice.
PS5 vs Xbox Series S Release Date and Price
The launch of PS5 on November 12, 2020, while Xbox Series S got a slight headstart, launching on November 10, 2020, the same date as Microsoft’s Flagship console, Xbox Series X.
While the prices are yet to change since the launch, the Xbox Series S remains by far the cheapest next-gen console on the market for just $299 / £249 / AU$499, compared to the PS5’s price of $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$749.95.
PS5 vs Xbox Series S specs
PS5
When it comes to raw power, the PS5 is far more powerful than the Xbox Series S both when it comes to technical perspective and by what you can see, hear and feel. The Series S specs are considerably less powerful and are also fundamentally different from the Xbox series X, although the two get to share the same custom AMD Zen 2 eight-core processor. Below are the specs of the PlayStation 5:
- CPU: Eight-core up to 3.5GHz (variable frequency) custom AMD Ryzen Zen 2
- GPU: 10.3 teraflops, variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz
- RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Frame rate: Up to 120fps
- Resolution: Up to 8K
- Optical: Ultra HD Blu-ray
- Storage: 825GB NVMe SSD
What these specs doesn’t come with is that the PS5 also offers more immersive gaming experience thanks to the DualSense controller’s haptics, adaptive triggers, and built-in speakers and microphone, the latter also functioning for voice chat if you do not have a headset. Its Tempest 3D audio engine that enables spatial surround sound technology, that now works on Tv Speakers rather than just through headphones.
Xbox Series S
The Xbox Series S is more like an upgrade to the Xbox One, then though it’s a capable next-gen console nonetheless that is able to run the same games as the Xbox Series X as long as you are ok with the maximum being 1440p resolution, that has potentials of being upscaled to about 4K. Some games actually get to hit 4K resolution, like the Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
Owners of the Xbox Series X might be looking at the Xbox Series S as a downgrade as it does not offer support to the native 4K and as a result, backward compatible games do not include enhancements made for the Xbox One X consoles. Well, the more affordable Xbox takes advantage of FPS Boost, a feature where Microsoft has enhanced the framerates of select backward compatible games, and is capable of ray tracing, 120Hz output, and has super-fast load times thanks to its NVMe SSD. Below the specs of the Xbox Series X is stated:
- CPU: Eight-core 3.6GHz (3.4GHz with SMT) custom AMD 7nm
- GPU: 4 teraflops at 1.550GHz
- RAM: 10GB GDDR6
- Frame rate: Up to 120 fps
- Resolution: 1440p with 4K upscaling
- Optical: No disk drive
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
One problem with the Series S is its 512GB storage. If you already have the call of duty or GTA 5 installed, you would be left with a small space to install more games. The Series S is a great console though, but when compared to consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, it just does not match up.
