PS5 vs Xbox Series X / S, PS4 Pro, Xbox One X Specs Comparison

Update: Added promotional images, prices, and release dates for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S.

With Sony having finally revealed what makes the PlayStation 5 tick, we have much of the information we need to start comparing the console maker’s next gaming system with that of its biggest competition – Microsoft’s Xbox Series X.

In fact, we’re going to take things a step further here and throw previous-gen consoles from both companies into the mix. So, without further ado, here’s a side-by-side comparison of technical specifications for the PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4 Pro, and Xbox One X.

Specs Comparison

PS5Xbox Series XXbox Series SPS4 ProXbox One X
CPU8-core custom Zen 2 @ 3.5GHz with SMT8-core custom Zen 2 @ 3.8GHz (3.6GHz with SMT)8-core custom Zen 2 @ 3.6GHz (3.4GHz with SMT)8-core custom Jaguar @ 2.13GHz8-core custom Jaguar @ 2.3GHz
GPU10.28 TFLOPs, 36 CUs @ 2.23GHz Custom RDNA 212.155 TFLOPs, 52 CUs @ 1.825GHz Custom RDNA 24 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz4.2 TFLOPs, 36 CUs @ 911MHz 6 TFLOPs, 40 CUs @ 1172MHz
Video Capabilities4K (upscaled) @ up to 120 FPS, 8K @ 60HzTrue 4K @ up to 120 FPS, 8K @60Hz1440p, 4K (upscaled) @ up to 120 FPS4K (upscaled) @ up to 60 FPSTrue 4K @ up to 60 FPS
HDRYesYesNoYesYes
Ray TracingYesYesYesNoNo
Memory16GB GDDR6, 256-bit bus16GB GDDR6, 320-bit bus10GB GDDR6 128-bit bus8GB GDDR5, 256-bit bus12GB GDDR5, 384-bit bus
Memory Bandwidth448GB/s10GB @ 560GB/s, 6GB @ 336GB/s8 GB @ 224GB/s, 2 GB @ 56GB/s217.6GB/s326GB/s
Internal Storage825GB custom NVME SSD1TB custom NVME SSD512GB custom NVME SSD1TB HDD1TB HDD
I/O Throughput5.5GB/s (Raw), 8-9GB/s (Compressed)2.4GB/s (Raw), 4.8 GB/s (Compressed, with custom hardware decompression block)2.4 GB/s (Raw), 4.8GB/s (Compressed, with custom hardware decompression block)50-100MB/s120MB/s
Expandable StorageNVMe SSD slotCustom 1TB Seagate Expansion CardCustom 1TB Seagate Expansion CardReplaceable internal HDDReplaceable internal HDD
External StorageUSB HDD supportUSB 3.1 HDD supportUSB 3.1 HDD supportUSB 3.0/3.1 HDD SupportUSB 3.2 HDD Support
Optical Drive4K UHD Blu-Ray drive4K UHD Blu-Ray driveNoneBlu-Ray drive4K UHD Blu-Ray drive
Dimensions390 x 260 x 104 mm301 x 151 x 151 mm65 x 151 x 275 mm60 x 240 x 300 mm275.1 x 305.1 x 53.1 mm
Release DateNovember 12, 2020
(Global: November 19, 2020)
November 10, 2020November 10, 2020November 10, 2016November 7, 2017
Price$499$499$299$399 (at launch)$499 (at launch)

As with the previous generation, Microsoft has a bit of a lead in certain departments, but given the console market’s trailing cadence, it is safe to say a slight lead in technical specs isn’t likely to tip the scales. Console exclusives, on the other hand, have quite the pull with the market, as does platform loyalty.

Design Comparison

Microsoft unveiled the Series X at the tail end of 2019 during The Game Awards, revealing a cheaper, watered down, digital-only variant called the Series S only a couple weeks ago. Sony took the wraps off of both standard and digital variants of the PS5 during its “Future of Gaming” presentation in July 2020.

Xbox Series X (left) and Series S (right)

This generation of release from both console makers is seeing the biggest deviation in design yet, with both having adopted the tower form factor. While the Series X still has roughly the overall aesthetic and color scheme as its predecessor, though, Sony has gone in an entirely different direction with the design of the PS5. The new console has a glossy white shell that is, in stark contrast to the previous generation, quite a bit heavy on the curves. It’s quite a bit (approx. 90 mm) taller and (approx. 110 mm) wider than the Series X as well. Of course, as with the specs, design isn’t likely to be the biggest factor, if a factor at all, in the average consumer’s buying decision.

PlayStation 5 (left) and PS5 Digital Edition (right)

While most of the promotional images for both consoles show them standing upright, it has been confirmed that both can be laid flat if required.

As for controllers, the only notable visual differences between the Series X offering and the gamepad that comes packed with the Xbox One would be a new bowl-shaped D-pad and a new share button. The PS5 controller, on the other hand, is a far cry from its forerunner. Check out our visual comparison here: PS5 DualSense vs PS4, Xbox One Controller [Side-By-Side Comparison].


Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are slated for a holiday release this year, with Microsoft’s offering hitting stores first on November 10 and the PS5 coming out two days later on November 12.

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Sameed Khan

I write, game, design at times, and revel in sarcasm. You can find me on Twitter.