PS5 vs Xbox Series S: how do the two consoles compare?

Date:
Thu, 10 Mar 2022 16:43:53 +0000

Description:
Want to know the difference between PS5 and Xbox Series S? Weve put the two consoles head-to-head to see which one is right for you.

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When placing the PS5 and Xbox Series S side by side, the two consoles are stark in comparison, yet both have their distinct benefits and drawbacks depending on what kind of experience youre looking for.

When it comes to price and availability, Microsofts cheaper, more compact, disc-less machine seems like a no-brainer. But what if youre not ready 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 hundreds of titles and next-gen features like Quick Resume and blazing-fast load times More titles are set to be exclusive to Microsofts latest consoles in 2022, too, such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport . But does it still feel more like an iterative upgrade rather than a splash into the new?

This isnt quite the heavyweight and lightweight match-up if you think it is, though. Ultimately, it rests on what kind of experience youre after, which is why weve got all the details to help you make an informed choice. PS5 vs Xbox Series S price and release date (Image credit: Sony)

The PS5 launched on November 12, 2020, while Xbox Series S got a slight headstart, launching on November 10, 2020, the same date as Microsofts flagship console, Xbox Series X .

While prices have not changed since launch, the Xbox Series S remains by far the cheapest next-gen console on the market at just $299 / 249 / AU$499, compared to the PS5s price of $499.99 / 449.99 / AU$749.95.

Last year in the UK, GAME also had an offer where customers were able to
trade in an Xbox One model or another last-gen console (including Nintendo Switch ) for a Series S for just 99, making the upgrade even more of a bargain.

That huge $200 price difference would make the Series S a clear winner for
the cash-strapped who still want to get into the latest console generation. But if you have more of a budget, thats not the only factor to consider when it comes to buying a new console. PS5 vs Xbox Series S specs (Image credit:
M. Andrei)

In terms of raw power, the PS5 is far more powerful than the Xbox Series S both from a technical perspective and by what you can see, hear and feel. The Series S specs are considerably less powerful and also fundamentally
different from the Xbox Series X, although the two share the same custom AMD Zen 2 eight-core processor. Check out the official specs for the PS5 below: 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 dont include is that the PS5 also delivers a more immersive gaming experience thanks to the DualSense controllers haptics, adaptive triggers , and built-in speaker and microphone, the latter also functioning for voice chat if you lack a headset. Its Tempest 3D audio engine also
enables spatial surround sound technology, which now works on TV speakers rather than just through headphones. These features are leveraged especially effectively with Sonys own first-party titles, including Astros Playroom , which is pre-installed on every PlayStation 5.

The Xbox Series S feels more like an iterative upgrade from the Xbox One , then, though its a capable next-gen console nonetheless that can still run
the same games as Xbox Series X as long as youre fine with a maximum 1440p resolution , which can still be upscaled to 4K. Some games do hit 4K resolution, like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, but it isnt the norm.

Xbox One X owners might consider the Xbox Series S a downgrade as it doesnt support native 4K and as a result, backward compatible games do not include enhancements made for Xbox One X consoles. However, 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. Check out the Xbox Series S specs below: 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 of the sore points with Series S is its small 512GB storage, which will leave you with little room if youve already installed Grand Theft Auto 5 and/or the latest Call of Duty . The proprietary Seagate storage expansion cards , while far more convenient to plug in compared to having to open up
the PS5 and screw in an SSD , are also expensive, which might make some
wonder why they didnt just invest in the more powerful Series X instead.

However, you can also opt for a more affordable external hard drive to keep games in cold storage, while still running last-gen games (albeit without the benefit of faster loading times). The ability to put games on an external
hard drive was missing from PS5 at launch but Sony has since updated the system allowing this feature. Of course, if you want to play Xbox Series S optimized games or PS5 titles, youll need to transfer them onto the internal drive.

Theres one area where the Series S wins hands down: and thats based on size. While the PS5 is a divisive eyesore and the second heaviest PlayStation of
all time, the Xbox Series S is the smallest Xbox Microsoft has ever made, making it an easy fit under your TV or alongside any other hardware vying for shelf space. Its surprisingly portable , too. PS5 vs Xbox Series S games (Image credit: Future)

Games are subjective, but lets get down to the key practical difference since we are comparing a disc-based console with a disc-less one. If youre buying
an Xbox Series S, its almost imperative that you sign up for Xbox Game Pass
so that you have the best value for money of being able to access a huge library of games, including Microsoft first-party titles from day one, to download online or play via the cloud, if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate .

However, if youre arguably after the biggest blockbusters that cant be played anywhere else, such as Demons Souls , Returnal , and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart , then PS5 is the console for you. That sense of exclusivity may have been slightly dampened by Sonys U-turn to bring some PS5-developed games to PS4, but theres no denying these games dont perform best on Sonys latest machine, as proven by new titles like Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7 .

PS5 exclusive games do come at a cost, however, with Sony pricing its major titles at $69.99 / 69.99 / AU$124.95. The upside is you can at least find the boxed copies online usually at a discount and you still have the option to trade them in when youre done with them. Some publishers have also included free next-gen upgrades or a small upgrade fee if you already own the PS4
copy, although Microsoft has still handled this better with its Smart
Delivery system.

Yet despite the ability to seamlessly play four generations of Xbox titles on the same console without the faff of save transfers, a common complaint is that theres just not enough new exclusives on Microsofts console to get excited about, at least not yet. While Game Pass is incredible value for money, its library is also not permanent, with some of Microsofts own first-party games, notably Forza Horizon 3 and Forza Motorsport 7 , being removed from the service.

Things certainly improved towards the end of 2021 with the release of both 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 Bethesdas Starfield. Still, plenty more of Microsofts recent studio acquisitions will begin 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 (Image credit: Sony)

Ultimately, its going to come down to personal preference over which is the better console to go for, but there are clearly pros and cons for each. Xbox Series S wins on price and form factor, while its also more readily available than either the PS5 or its flagship big brother Xbox Series X. However, youll want to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass to get the most out of it, while
regularly managing your storage capacity.

Even if its pricier, bulkier, and harder to find, for many, the PS5s features really feel like youre entering a new console generation, and a steady stream of blockbuster exclusives make terrific use of the PlayStation 5s unique features to justify the initial expensive investment.

If youre impatient to get into next-gen gaming now, then, the Xbox Series S
is an accessible entry point that still gives you the option to save up for a PS5 further down the line when theres either a price drop or improved availability. By then Sony may have introduced a PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro too. PS5 vs Xbox Series X : the two consoles compared



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/ps5-vs-xbox-series-s-how-do-the-two-consoles-co mpare/


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