When it comes to next-gen gaming consoles, two titans dominate the market: Xbox Series X and PS5. Released in late 2020, both consoles have seen updates and improvements over the years. In 2025, the choice between them is still hotly debated. In this article, we’ll break down their key features, performance, game libraries, and more to help you decide which one suits your gaming preferences.
Design and Build
The Xbox Series X has a sleek, rectangular design that resembles a compact PC tower, while the PlayStation 5 sports a futuristic, curvy white and black design. While aesthetics are subjective, the Xbox Series X is generally considered more compact and easier to fit into most entertainment centers.
Performance and Hardware
Performance is a major deciding factor for gamers. Both consoles use AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture for graphics and a custom Zen 2 CPU. However, the Xbox Series X has a slight edge in raw power, boasting 12 teraflops of GPU performance compared to the PS5’s 10.28 teraflops. This difference is noticeable in some games that run at slightly higher resolutions on the Series X.
Both consoles support ray tracing, variable refresh rates, and up to 120 FPS in supported games. The Xbox Series X’s SSD has a 1TB capacity, while the PS5 has an 825GB SSD, both delivering fast load times and seamless gameplay.
Game Libraries and Exclusives
Sony continues to dominate with its first-party exclusive titles, including God of War: Ragnarok, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Horizon Forbidden West. On the other hand, Xbox’s Game Pass service provides excellent value, offering hundreds of games at a low monthly subscription rate. Titles like “Halo Infinite” and “Forza Horizon 5” are available on day one via Game Pass.
Backward Compatibility and Ecosystem
Xbox Series X shines in backward compatibility, allowing users to play titles from the original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Series X/S. The PS5 supports most PS4 games, but lacks native support for PS3, PS2, and PS1 titles.
Pricing and Availability
As of 2025, both consoles are available globally, but prices vary depending on bundles and regional differences. The Xbox Series X usually costs slightly less than the PS5 Digital Edition, making it a more budget-friendly option for some gamers.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?
The choice between the Xbox Series X and PS5 depends on your preferences. If you value raw performance and a robust game subscription service, the Xbox Series X is an excellent choice. However, if exclusive titles and a more futuristic design are your priorities, the PS5 might be the better option.
Xbox Series X vs PS5 Full Tech Specs
| Feature | Xbox Series X | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.8GHz | 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz |
| GPU | 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs at 1.825GHz, RDNA 2 | 10.28 TFLOPS, 36 CUs at 2.23GHz, RDNA 2 |
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 1TB Custom NVMe SSD | 825GB Custom NVMe SSD |
| Resolution | 4K at 60 FPS, up to 120 FPS | 4K at 60 FPS, up to 120 FPS |
| Backward Compatibility | All Xbox generations | PS4 only |