Next-gen console primer: Everything you need to know about Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5
Post Arcade analyzes specs, design, pricing and software for Microsoft and Sony's soon-to-launch hardware in the ninth-generation console war
Rumours, speculation, and a staring contest between Microsoft Corp. and Sony Interactive Entertainment to see who would show their hand first kept consumers guessing about the shape the ninth generation video game console war would take.
But now, less than two months before Microsoft’s Xbox Series X (due Nov. 10) and Sony’s PlayStation 5 (Nov. 12) are scheduled to launch, we finally have much of what we need to know — including power, features, and price — to be able to form some opinions on the strengths (and potential weaknesses) of each machine.
Of course, whether you’ll actually be able to get your hands on either one at launch is far from certain. Initial pre-ordering kerfuffles came fast and furious as retailers and consumers were forced to contend with limited projected stock and gobsmacking demand when both consoles went on sale at major retailers earlier this month.
Keep reading, though, and you’ll at least know enough to have an idea which line you might want to queue in.
Xbox Series X
Yes, it’s another convoluted and vaguely confusing console name from Microsoft. We just need to collectively get over it. The important thing to know is that, moving forward, we’re just supposed to refer to Xbox consoles as Xboxes. The Series X denotes what will be, at least for now, the flagship and most powerful Xbox console available, and should not to be confused with the less expensive Xbox Series S, which is launching at the same time but has reduced horsepower and fewer features (more about the Xbox Series S below).
Here’s what you need to know about Xbox Series X:
Based on specifications alone, the Xbox Series X has a bit more going on under the hood than Sony’s console, delivering slightly faster CPU clock speeds and 12 teraflops (the number of potential operations per second) of graphics processing power compared to the PlayStation 5’s 10.3 teraflops. This doesn’t necessarily mean faster, prettier games — especially since other specs, such as support for resolution up to 8K, 60-120 frames-per-second rendering, 16 GB of RAM, and support for ray-tracing (for better lighting and shadows) and 3D audio are the same on both systems — but at the moment it would seem to give a slight edge to Microsoft.
The Xbox Series X looks like a big black brick standing on end with few discerning physical features beyond a slot for discs (it has a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive), a wee Xbox logo, and a few ports. Most pictures show it standing tall, but you can also lay it on its side, should you prefer. It comes with a new controller that features iterative improvements over the Xbox One controller, including decreased lag and textured triggers for better grip, but all controllers for Xbox Series X and Xbox One are compatible with both systems. If you have a custom Xbox One controller, you can keep using it to play Xbox Series X games.
The Xbox Series X costs $600 here in Canada. That might seem a bit pricey compared to most previous consoles, but it’s miles cheaper than a decent gaming PC. If you’re really intimidated by the sticker price you can opt for Xbox All Access financing — which includes a subscription to GamePass (see below) — so that you can pay off the hardware over two years with monthly payments of $34.99 (USD). (Note: Canadian All Access financing pricing will purportedly be available by launch, but has not yet been revealed).
More than that, Game Pass — Microsoft’s $12-per-month subscription service, which offers ongoing access to a library of more than 100 games, including all first-party games at launch — offers terrific value for just about anyone who normally purchases at least a couple of games per year.
Factor in backwards compatibility — all Xbox One games will be playable on Xbox Series X, and some will play and look better — as well as Microsoft’s Smart Delivery program, which is meant to ensure anyone who buys games for Xbox One will also have access to the Xbox Series X version should they ever upgrade hardware, and most people won’t have a hard time finding games to play on Xbox Series X.
As mentioned above, the Xbox Series S is a less expensive, lower-powered alternative to the Xbox Series X. It is white, significantly smaller (it almost looks like an Xbox One when laid flat), has only half the storage (512GB solid state drive), no optical drive, less RAM, and only a third graphics processing power (4 teraflops). Games can be played at a maximum resolution of 1440p compared to the Xbox Series X’s 4K to 8K potential.
So why would anyone opt for the Series S? Because it’s more than $200 cheaper — $379.99 here in Canada — and it will still play all Xbox Series X games. If you don’t buy games on disc and are perfectly content with non-4K graphics, it’s actually a very good deal.
PlayStation 5
With more than 110 million units sold, the PlayStation 4 is the second best selling living room console of all time (beaten only by its predecessor, the PlayStation 2), and has handily won the eighth generation console war. This gives Sony a valuable advantage heading into the next generation, but the PlayStation 5 still needs to prove its worth to keep from leaking loyalists. Here’s what you need to know about Sony’s fifth kick at the console can.
Though its graphics processing power is 1.7 teraflops less than that of the Xbox Series X, the PlayStation 5 matches up equally in just about every other way. Expect 4K gaming at between 60 and 120 frames per second. And Sony has really been pushing the potential advantages of its advanced solid state drive (SSD), which could drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to load games and render levels while playing and also reduce the machine’s running noise. Microsoft’s console has an overall advantage on paper, but don’t expect either box to blow the other out of the water when it comes to graphics.
The PlayStation 5’s futuristic design is bold, to say the least. Its curvy white shell includes a pair of fins at the top as well as recessed lighting that makes it look as though the console’s innards are alive with blue energy. It’s bound to be divisive (we kind of like it), but it seems unlikely many early adopter console buyers will make a decision based solely on appearance. After all, you’ll hardly be looking at your console while playing games.
The new DualSense wireless controller (your old PlayStation 4 controllers will connect to the PlayStation 5, but they can only be used for PlayStation 4 games) is similarly curvy, white, and glowy. It has some new tricks up its sleeve, such as adaptive triggers that allow players to do things like feel the tension of a drawn bow, and a Create button that Sony says will simplify how gamers create and share game experiences.
This requires a bit of unpacking. In the U.S., a PlayStation 5 costs the same as an Xbox Series X: $500. However, in converting to Canadian currency, Sony decided to price the PlayStation 5 at $629.99 — $30 more than the Xbox Series X’s Canadian tag. That’s negligible, but worth noting.
The more interesting part of the PlayStation 5 pricing story is that Sony is also releasing what it calls a “Digital Edition” of the console, which dumps the 4K UHD Blu-ray drive and trims $130 off the price in the process. If you don’t plan on buying games on disc, you can jump head first into the next generation of consoles for just $499.99 with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. Advantage: Sony.
And keep in mind that the PlayStation 5 also offers full backwards compatibility with PlayStation 4 games, though not PlayStation One, PlayStation 2, or PlayStation 3 games. PlayStation Now — Sony’s subscription service, which allows for the streaming and downloading of many older games — will also be available for PlayStation 5.
Virtual reality hasn’t really panned out the way some pundits thought it might. The price, space requirements, physical activity involved, and solitary nature of the experience have proved to be turn-offs for many gamers. But that isn’t stopping Sony from marching forward with virtual reality for PlayStation 5. Sony has confirmed that, with the help of an additional camera, its new console will support the existing PSVR rig. And it seems likely that a new version of PSVR hardware will eventually find its way to PlayStation 5 (perhaps once gamers’ bank accounts have recovered from their initial investments), offering improved graphics and better motion controllers.
Some things will remain unknown until we get hands-on time with both consoles. What will their dashboard user experiences be like? Will the differences in specs make for a noticeable difference in presentation and performance? How comfortable — and durable — will the new controllers be?
Much also depends on which box manages to get out of the gate faster. The console most of your friends buy will likely influence which one you’ll buy, if for no other reason than that you’ll want to be assured you can play games with them. As proven in past generations, this snowball-like momentum can prove a powerful thing.
Post Arcade will continue to track developments with both consoles as they make their final push towards launch, and we’ll provide hands-on hardware impressions once we’ve spent some time with them.