For several days now, both the new PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have been available for pre-order. But which console is suitable for which type of player? And which games are exclusively tied to a specific console? We at MeinMMO will tell you.
What are we comparing? Both Sony and Microsoft have now revealed many important details about their consoles. To help you keep track, we will present them to you in the following categories:
- Hardware Components
- Controller
- Backward Compatibility
- Design
- Price
- Release
- Exclusive Games
- PS Now and Game Pass
At the end, there will also be a small conclusion with all the important points summarized.
If you want to pre-order a console directly afterwards, you can find the most important info and shops here:
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – The Hardware
| PS5 | Xbox Series X | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Zen 2 with 8 cores, max 3.5 GHz clock speed | AMD Zen 2 processor (7nm), 8 cores/16 threads, 3.8 GHz clock speed |
| GPU | Graphics card (AMD RDNA2) with RayTracing and up to 10.28 Teraflops, 2,304 shader units | Graphics card (Navi) with ray tracing support and 12 Teraflops, 3,328 shader units |
| Resolution | Up to 8K and at 4K up to 120 FPS | Up to 8K and at 4K up to 120 FPS |
| RAM | 16 GB GDDR6, 448 GByte/s | 16 GB GDDR6, with 10 GB at 560 GByte/s and 6 GB at 336 GB/s |
| Storage | SSD with 825 GB and 5.5 GB/s | SSD with 1000 GB and 2.4 GB/s |
| Drive | Physical 4K Blu-ray drive (however, there is also a cheaper version without a drive) | Physical 4K Blu-ray drive |
Both consoles rely on models from AMD for both CPU and GPU. The chips were specially manufactured for each console, and they also differ on paper:
- In terms of CPU, the Xbox Series X has a slight edge. The clock speed is slightly higher.
- In terms of GPU, the Xbox has more computing units but operates at a lower clock rate. The PS5, on the other hand, has fewer computing units but is clocked higher and variably. How the advantages play out in practice remains to be seen.
For storage, Sony leads. The installed SSD is slightly smaller but offers speed advantages. Whether these will actually be utilized by the games is unknown.
Overall, the result here is fairly balanced.
What does the Series S offer?
If you don’t place much importance on performance, you might also be interested in the cheaper Xbox Series S. We have summarized the exact data for you:
| Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Zen 2 processor (7nm), 8 cores/16 threads, 3.6 GHz clock speed |
| GPU | Graphics card with 4 Teraflops |
| Resolution | Up to 4K (upscaled) and at 1440p up to 120 FPS |
| RAM | 10 GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | SSD with 512 GB and 2.4 GB/s |
| Drive | No drive |
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – The Controllers
When it comes to controllers, Sony seems to have the edge in innovation. The new DualSense controller is said to have noticeable haptic feedback and also offers more battery life, feels better in hand, and has a better touchpad than the predecessor DualShock 4.
The DualSense Wireless Controller is said to cost 69.99 Euros, although a controller is already included with the purchase of the console.
The Xbox Series X controller, on the other hand, looks almost identical to its predecessor. Only the D-pad has undergone design adjustments. Additionally, a Share button has been added. However, under the hood, technologies like Dynamic Latency Input (DLI) aim to minimize input delays.
The new Microsoft controller costs 64.99 Euros.
DualSense Controller 
Xbox Series X Controller
Overall, the controller category goes to the PS5, but there are also many fans of the Xbox controller, which has a slightly different layout than Sony’s.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – Backward Compatibility
In terms of backward compatibility, the Xbox clearly goes further than the PS5, although both offer it:
- PS5 is backward compatible with the PS4, but not with the PS1, PS2, or PS3
- Xbox Series X is backward compatible with Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
At the launch of the PS5, 99% of the predecessor PS4 games should be available on the new console.
Microsoft, on the other hand, wants to offer thousands of games across four generations at launch with its new console, going even further back than the new PlayStation. However, how well the support for old games will work remains to be seen in the future.
The point of backward compatibility goes to the Xbox Series X.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – The Design
The design depends heavily on personal taste. The PS5 features a curvy, slightly futuristic design. Furthermore, the new console breaks with a tradition: It will be offered in white instead of the usual black.
The design has led to some funny memes in the gaming community.
Although it may not look like it at first glance, the PS5 can also be laid down. There is an extra stand, as can be seen in some pictures.
- Dimensions of the PS5: 390mm x 104mm x 260mm (without base)
The PS5 standing 
The PS5 lying down
The Xbox Series X, on the other hand, features a “tower design,” much like what is typically seen with PCs. It can be both stood up and laid down. With its nearly 30 centimeters in width, it doesn’t necessarily fit in every shelf.
- Dimensions of the Xbox Series X: 301 mm x 151 mm x 151 mm
Which console is bigger? In direct comparison, the new consoles show that the PS5 is taller than the Xbox Series X. Overall, the smallest console here is the Series S.
- Dimensions of the Series S: 275 mm x 151 mm x 63.5 mm
The design category heavily depends on personal taste. There is no winner here.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – The Price
In terms of price, there are no differences between the consoles if you value a drive:
- PS5 with drive – 499.99 Euros
- PS5 without drive – 399.99 Euros
- Xbox Series X – 499.99 Euros
However, the cheapest option is the Xbox Series S at 299.99 Euros. However, it lacks the drive and some hardware details, as mentioned above.
Overall, this is a draw as the price for the console with a drive is identical.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – The Release
In terms of release, we get our hands on the new Xbox slightly sooner in Germany:
- Release Xbox Series X and Series S – November 10, 2020 (Worldwide)
- Release PS5 – November 19, 2020 (in Germany and Europe)
A small advantage for the Xbox Series X, as it can be played earlier.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – The Exclusives
You can look forward to the following new games at the launch of the PS5:
- Godfall: A new RPG in a cool setting that some refer to as Fantasy-Destiny – Exclusive to PS5
- Astro’s Playroom: This adventure game is meant to showcase the new features of the PS5 and is more of a tech demo than a real game – Exclusive to PS5
- Demon’s Souls: This remake of the Soulslike classic is likely to delight many ARPG fans – Exclusive to PS5
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales: This action-adventure is the direct sequel to Marvel’s Spider-Man from 2018 – Only for PS4 and PS5
- Sackboy – A Big Adventure: This 3D platformer from the “Little Big Planet” series continues the story of the iconic character Sackboy – For PS4 and PS5
In addition to these titles, there are also other games that have already been released and are now coming to PS5 or that will be released for PS5 and Xbox Series X. You can find the list of all launch titles for the PS5 here.
You can look forward to the following new games at the launch of the Xbox Series X:
- The Medium: In this horror game, you play the role of a medium who can communicate with two different worlds. You control her in split-screen in both worlds – Exclusive to Xbox Series X
- The Ascent: The Ascent is a cyberpunk action role-playing game that can be played solo or in a co-op mode with four players. – For PC, Xbox One, and Series X
Further titles are planned after the release, including Halo: Infinite, which is scheduled to arrive in 2021.
In terms of launch titles, the PS5 clearly wins.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – PS Now and Game Pass
Another interesting factor regarding the two consoles is the subscription offer, through which you can quickly and cheaply access games.
What is PS Now: PS Now is Sony’s subscription service and offers access to over 650 games, including titles from older consoles that can be streamed on PS4. However, there are fewer multiplayer titles and no brand-new full-price titles in comparison to Game Pass.
PS Now costs 9.99 Euros per month.
What is Game Pass: Game Pass allows Xbox users to access many games, including brand new titles like Crusader Kings 3 or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Additionally, there are numerous good multiplayer titles that you can use.
This will soon be expanded by games from EA and games from Bethesda. The latter company was acquired by Microsoft in September. Another special feature is the Ultimate Pass, which allows games to be used on both console and PC.
The Game Pass costs 9.99 Euros per month for consoles and 9.99 Euros for PC (since September 17). In an Ultimate version, it costs 1 Euro in the first month and then 12.99 Euros, and also includes Cloud Gaming for Android.
However, there is a trick to getting the Ultimate Game Pass much cheaper.
In this category, Game Pass wins.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X – Conclusion
The two next-gen consoles have many similarities but also significant differences. One of the biggest points is likely the selection of launch titles. Although these are not extraordinary for both consoles, the PS5 clearly takes the lead when it comes to exclusive and interesting games.
This is understandable since Sony continues to focus on hardcore gamers with the new console, who also appreciate haptic feedback in the controller and want to get the most out of the console.
On the other hand, Microsoft focuses more on a broad offering, and with the Series S, it offers a significantly cheaper console. Here, the advantage of the large game library from previous generations and the complementary Game Pass comes into play. However, most of these titles are not exclusive or new content, but already known.
Currently, the PS5 is still held in higher regard by our readers. However, the Xbox Series X has closed the gap compared to previous surveys.
