PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X: Which is right for you?

The release of Microsoft and Sony’s flagship consoles is imminent, with the date set for the second week of November. Gamers are once again left with a difficult decision to make regarding which console is going to be the one to buy. Each time there is a next-generation console release, there is a battle for system supremacy. This consists of system specs, graphics performance, controller ergonomics, exclusive games releases, and the list goes on.

This year brings us not just two consoles to decide on, but four different consoles from these two tech giants. Microsoft has the Series X and Series S, while Sony has the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition. So, what once was a simple choice between consoles, now requires gamers to do some real research.

Many parents who are looking to purchase a console at Christmas may also find this article rather useful, as we help by breaking down the various options and point out the pros and cons of each. Here’s what we know about the X Series and PS5.

Photo by cottonbro

PlayStation or Xbox?

As always, the release of these consoles draws global attention from consumers, as well as across a variety of other industries; oddly including the gambling industry, which has Canada Sports Betting‘s partners offering odds on which console will triumph this year! What matters is what’s in the console and what Microsoft and Sony are offering customers beyond the top-tier console specs that gamers all hope to see.

In the console battle, there are always loyal followers who go with the console they’ve been playing for years. Sometimes customers are left disappointed by their rival’s specs and game selection. But, in 2020, it feels like customers can’t go wrong with either console.

PlayStation looks ready to go with some exciting platform exclusives, including the latest in the God of War series, as well as a remake of the PS3 epic Demon Souls.

Sony lovers will have a range of games to choose from on release. In contrast, Microsoft fans will be working with the Xbox Game Pass, which offers an unrivalled subscription gaming deal. Gamers can stream their favourite platforms from anywhere, as long as you have access to a reliable internet connection. All Xbox exclusive games, such as the formidable Halo series, are available through Microsoft’s Game Pass, which makes it the best subscription deal in console gaming right now – possibly only rivalled by the desktop gaming service Steam, by Valve.

So, in terms of games, each platform offers its respective strengths and gamers must decide which best caters to their needs. Sony offers its version of the Xbox Game Pass, but it simply isn’t on par and still needs some work to get to Microsoft’s level.

Playstation and Xbox core consoles will be at the same price point of $500. The Xbox Series S is considerably cheaper at $299. But, it doesn’t offer the same quality specs as the flagship console releases for both companies.

Looking at the specs of both consoles, the Xbox Series X trumps the PlayStation 5. They are offering a slightly more powerful CPU (3.8GHz compared to 3.5GHz), a bigger GPU (12.0 teraflops AMD RDNA 2 compared to the PS5’s 10.3 teraflops AMD RDNA 2), and a slight improvement in storage space (Xbox 1TB, with the PS5 storing 825GB). While these are small improvements, they are mostly insignificant in the overall performance and quality of the console on screen.

It’s worth noting at this point, that pre-orders are very hard to come by at the moment, meaning it’s not worth worrying about picking up a console on the date of release. Instead, wait for store stock to build a bit and pick one up once official reviews are plastered over the internet from happy or angry console lovers. Moreover, Sony and Microsoft are aware of the global economic crisis we face as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, so there may be deals as early as the new year.

Whatever you decide to do, both the PS5 and Series X offer a new generation gaming experience. We suggest looking at the games on offer and seeing which platforms turn your head; this should be the deciding factor. If you go with the Series S or X, make sure to get the All Access plan, allowing you to use the streaming service (Xbox Game Pass), which will save money in the long run.

Good luck and happy gaming.