PS5 Has 8 Advantages Over Xbox

Sony or Microsoft? PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, or even S? This is the big question on everyone's mind as the new console generation arrives. These systems promise impressive specs, stunning graphics, and more quality-of-life features, for sure. But which is truly the better system?

All of these consoles have their advantages and disadvantages. It really all depends on your preferences and expectations going into the new generation. Are you in the market for the best exclusive games? Are you seeking the best value? Are you swayed by the best gaming service? Perhaps it's the accessories that most intrigue you. The aspects on which you place the most value will help determine the right fit.

Of course, the Xbox Series X has some advantages over the PS5, but that doesn't make it the superior console. In fact, Sony is packing plenty of heat in its next PlayStation, which promises to give Microsoft a run for its money. Here are 8 advantages the PS5 has over Microsoft's Xbox consoles.

Remember the console war of the late '80s and early '90s where Sega did what Nintendidn't? Speed was Sega's claim to fame in the form of "blast processing," and it certainly had an impact. In that regard, it looks like history could be repeating itself.

The PlayStation 5 is notable for its impressive SSD speeds. In fact, its SSD is so fast, the Unreal Engine had to be reworked to be properly optimized for the PS5.

According to PSU, where the I/O throughput of the Series X is 2.4GB/s raw and 4.8GB/s compressed, the PS5 is pushing speeds at 5.5GB/s raw and around 8-9GB/s compressed. That's quite a difference!

To put it in perspective, the PSU article explained that the PS5's SSD speed "means a return to the cartridge days of old where games would just boot up and play immediately." This could be a big selling point to the many gamers who fondly remember the good old days before those dreaded loading times invaded TV screens.

What's in a controller? A lot, if you're buying a PlayStation 5. The PS5 is packing an impressive set of innovative features into its DualSense controller. When comparing it to the Series X|S controller, Jez Corden of Windows Central said it "feels like it could be a whole generation ahead of Microsoft."

The DualSense really puts the "next generation" feel in the palm of your hands with immersive features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. A built-in microphone makes communication with other online players a breeze. The "Create" button promises an advanced way to capture and share personal video content. With games like Astro's Playroom, Sony fans will get to experience all the DualSense has to offer.

As far as the Xbox Series X|S is concerned, not only is that controller lacking all the bells and whistles found in Sony's, but it's still going the antiquated AA battery route. When comparing the DualSense against the Xbox Series X|S controller, it's not much of a contest.

What's one of the biggest draws to buying a new console? Why, the games of course. When it comes to game libraries — at least exclusives — PlayStation 5 has an obvious advantage over the Xbox Series X|S.

Naturally, this stems from a key difference in strategy. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has openly shifted focus away from exclusivity. For Sony, its entire business plan for the PS5 is centered on games.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan identified the value PlayStation brings to its consumers as the "number of games, depth of games, breadth of games, quality of games, price of games." When you look at some of the PS5 launch titles — Demon's Souls, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Godfall — Sony is definitely bringing such value to its fanbase.

It doesn't end there. Sony has even flexed its muscles by sealing timed exclusivity over some multiplatform games. Clearly, the company is doing everything it can to provide gamers with a killer slate of games that are either unavailable elsewhere or late to the party on other consoles.

In June 2020, Tom Warren of The Verge confirmed in a Tweet that the Series X|S and the Xbox One would have the same dashboard. There was a bit of an uproar over this news. One user expressed hesitation over buying the new console because of it, stating "This is supposed to be next gen! And it's supposed to be different." Another user in the thread said, "One of my favourite parts of getting a new console is using that new UI."

PlayStation 5 fans, on the other hand, are in for a treat. The PS5 UI has been redesigned from the ground up to offer the ultimate gaming experience through its new control center.

In addition to features like game-specific news updates, and the ability to skip title and loading screens, the control center will introduce "activity tabs," which track your progress in each game you play. This way, PS5 owners can easily see what they missed after completing a level. Activity tabs also offer nifty benefits like in-game hints and time estimates for each stage.

All in all, the PS5 UI was built to streamline many different aspects of modern gaming. If you're looking for a real next-gen user experience, PlayStation is the way to go.

When it comes to game streaming services, PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass are both appealing options for different reasons. Game Pass offers access to day-one releases and the freedom to play on mobile/tablet platforms as well as Xbox and PC. There's no denying that these are nice perks, however, when you compare what you're getting, PlayStation Now is a better value.

First, the price. Xbox Game Pass costs about $10 per month, with a $15 monthly rate for its premium package. A PlayStation Now subscription can cost as little as $5 per month if you sign up for a year. Not only is that half the price of Xbox's plan, but you gain access to over 800 games across three other generations of PlayStation. Compare that to Game Pass' 100+ offering. 

Some may still look at the Game Pass as a superior service, but a lot of that has to do with a difference in marketing. According to Marshall Honorof of Tom's Guide, "PlayStation Now for PS5 could rival Xbox Game Pass," but Sony isn't communicating what its service can do as well as Microsoft has done with its subscription plan.

When it comes to next-gen gaming, one of the most crucial factors to consider is what your friends will be playing. Video games bring us together. As the world grows more connected, gaming online with your peers becomes increasingly important. If all your friends own the other console, you're going to feel left out. It's enough to tip the scale when deciding between the Series X|S or the PS5.

With that said, the PS5 is projected to outsell the Series X|S. According to Ampere Analysis, Sony's console is expected to lead with a growing margin reaching around 23 million units over the new Xbox by 2024. DFC Intelligence, another data analysis firm, agreed that the PS5 will come out ahead of the Series X|S in a big way. According to the report, Microsoft is "just too far behind Sony," and "Consumer brand preference is strongly towards PlayStation." If you want to join the party and play with more of your friends, buying a PlayStation 5 might be your best bet.

Are you excited to play next-gen games but on a bit of a tight budget? While the Xbox Series S may indeed be a more affordable option, you won't be getting the full next-gen experience like you would with Sony's digital-only version.

Purchasing the digital-only PS5 saves you money without sacrificing power. It's the same PlayStation 5, only without a disc drive. The Series S, on the other hand, takes a hit in performance capabilities. It has a third of the teraflops found in the Series X, and its max resolution tops out at 1440p with 4K upscaling.

As far as storage capabilities, some may be disappointed by the PS5's 825GB storage capacity, but it looks a lot better next to the 512GB found in the Series S. Considering that it's digital-only, the budget Xbox will need all the storage it can get, meaning your wallet will likely still take a hit. 

Screen Rant's Camden Jones called the Series S "a lower-powered system meant as a cheaper — but less future-proof — starting point for next-gen gaming." The digital-only PS5 will cost more but will remain technologically relevant for a longer period of time.

The Xbox Series X is a powerhouse machine, but what difference will that make if dev teams are unable to take full advantage of its hardware?

Developers are reportedly enjoying the process of making games for the PlayStation 5. The system's unprecedented speed means devs don't have to go through extra effort to account for load times, allowing for a greater focus on gameplay.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan said "what we're hearing from developers and publishers, is the ease in which they are able to get code running on PlayStation 5 is way beyond any experience they've had on any other PlayStation platform." GamesBeat reported that both developers and publishers said the PS5's architecture is the best they've ever worked with.

Most importantly, in a video discussion for EGX Digital, when asked which of the two next-gen consoles was more powerful, Digital Foundry Technology Editor Richard Leadbetter emphasized the ease of development for the PS5 and how the Series X doesn't have quite the same advantage. Ultimately, he said it all comes down to what the devs can create, and in that case, gamers could see more impressive titles on Sony's console than the new Xbox machines.