Current sales figures and market shares between PlayStation and Xbox have often fluctuated in recent years, with Sony tending to lead in many markets. As of 2023, over 40 million units of the PlayStation 5 have been sold. In comparison, Microsoft‘s Xbox Series X/S only reaches around 20 million. In the future, competition could continue to change, depending on factors such as game availability, exclusive titles and pricing strategies.
Special features of the current generation
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a remarkable device that comes in two variants: the Standard Edition with an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive and the Digital Edition, which does not require a physical drive at all. The PS5 impresses with its innovative technology, including the fast SSD (Solid State Drive), which enables extremely short loading times, and a powerful graphics processor that supports 4K gaming and ray tracing. The DualSense controller takes the gaming experience to a new level by offering haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
The Xbox Series X also offers the ability to play games in 4K at up to 120 frames per second. The Series S variant is a more compact, less powerful and less expensive alternative. It aims to appeal to a wider audience and supports most games in 1440p with upscaled 4K video playback. The Series S does away with the disc drive and has less storage space, making it ideal for gamers who primarily consume digital content.
The hardware in direct comparison
In terms of performance, both consoles are equipped with powerful processors. The PlayStation 5 uses a bespoke 8-core AMD Zen 2 architecture that clocks at up to 3.5 GHz, while the Xbox Series X also uses an 8-core AMD Zen 2 processor, but with a maximum clock speed of 3.8 GHz. The PS5 has a 36-core RDNA 2 GPU with a peak performance of 10.28 teraflops. In contrast, the Series X comes with a more powerful RDNA 2 GPU that offers 52 cores and a performance of 12 teraflops. This means that the Xbox can theoretically deliver more graphically demanding games with higher resolution and better frame rates.
In terms of memory, both consoles have 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM, but bandwidths vary. The PS5 offers 825 GB of SSD storage as well as an impressive throughput rate of 448 GB/s, meaning load times are greatly reduced. The Series X has a lower bandwidth of 560 GB/s, but has a larger hard drive storage of 1 TB, which means a bit more space for games and content.
Both consoles support ray tracing, a technology that enables more realistic shadows, lights and reflections in games. The PlayStation 5 has a unique cooling system that relies on a large cooling surface and a central ventilation system, while the Xbox Series X uses a tower design to allow effective air circulation. Both systems are designed to prevent overheating and operate quietly even under load.
What do you get for your money
To play online, both PlayStation and Xbox require a subscription. The current costs depend on the option chosen. For PlayStation Plus, prices are around 10 dollars per month for the Essentials subscription, 15 dollars for Extra and 19 dollars for Premium. For Xbox Live Gold, a month costs around 8 dollars, three months around 22 dollars and a year around 66 dollars. Xbox Game Pass, which offers access to an extensive library of games, costs around 11 dollars per month for the regular version and around 14 dollars for the Ultimate version, which offers additional benefits.
Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S have an impressive selection of exclusive titles, each developed for their platform and offering players unique experiences. For Sony, games like “Demon’s Souls” and “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart” are among the most famous exclusives, while “Returnal” and “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” are also highly acclaimed.
On the other hand, Microsoft has exclusive titles like “Halo Infinite” or the racing simulation “Forza Horizon 5”. There is also a unique action RPG called “Fable” and “Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga”, which is based on a thrilling emotional narrative. So both platforms offer a variety of exciting exclusive titles that are suitable for different player preferences.
A final conclusion: There is not really an objectively “better” option if you had to choose between these two consoles, as it depends on your individual preferences. Console makers are each investing heavily in subscriptions and cloud gaming services, which may have a major impact on the way consumers play and buy games in the near future.
