Every Advantage the Xbox Series X Has Over the PS5

Sony’s PlayStation 5 already appears to be gamers’ most popular next-gen choice. But Microsoft is offering up fierce competition.

Published in

SUPERJUMP

13 min readApr 15, 2021

It is no secret that the PS5 is leading in popularity this generation. Is it really the best overall console? Or is PlayStation just relying on brand recognition and riding on PS4 success? Of course, there are so many aspects that make each console better then the other. Unfortunately for Sony, there are many shortcomings of the PS5 compared to the Xbox Series X that may be enough to win you over. This list isn’t intended to slander the PS5 as it still is an amazing next-gen console, but rather inform consumers and hopefully get Sony to further improve their system.

Theoretically more powerful

Microsoft has made it a mission to point out that the Xbox Series X’s GPU has over 12 teraflops of power, which is undeniably more than Sony’s 10.3 teraflops. As well as boasting things we still do not fully understand such as having full RDNA 2.0 architecture and other advantages such as fixed clocks. Right now, games are near equal in graphics, resolution and performance across both platforms, with both consoles only having slight advantages over the other depending on the game. Although when developers do get a better handle on developing games for both systems, it is expected that the Xbox Series X will start to lead in terms of graphics and performance. It does have an advantage in virtually every spec except SSD bandwidth, which may not actually benefit the PS5 as much since developers likely will have to develop multi-platform games with the Xbox’s slower (but still very fast) SSD in mind.

Possible exclusive Bethesda/ZeniMax games

We can’t ignore the fact that any of the future IPs under ZeniMax/Bethesda Softworks are likely going to skip the PlayStation 5 now that Microsoft has officially acquired them. While there is still the possibility of select few making their way onto the PlayStation, it seems very unlikely any new unannounced games will. In case you aren’t aware, some of these IPs include: The Elder Scrolls (Skyrim), Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom, Dishonored and many more. This roster of games can potentially give Xbox the edge in exclusive games for many previous fans of those series.

Full backwards compatibility

The Xbox Series X is compatible with a huge amount of Xbox 360 games, as well a small amount of original Xbox games (in addition to virtually every Xbox One game). The best part is that they do not need to be repurchased, your discs and digital licenses will work on the Series X. On top of this, playing on an Xbox Series X will improve the performance of those previous games, and some titles even support rendering the games at 9 or 16 times (total amount of pixels) the original resolution (perfect for making older games look amazing on a 4K tv), this creates a significantly better experience then playing on an original console. Developers have even tweaked and improved certain settings in some games. PS5 is missing any compatibility of games predating the PS4 generation. There was a limited run of resolution enhanced PS2 games on PS4 that required an additional purchase, and the paid PS Now streaming service can allow a portion of PS3 games to be played without any enhancements.

Last-gen game enhancements

The PS5 simply plays PS4 games with an increased performance mode, in some cases the developers (mostly exclusives) have uncapped 30fps games to play at 60fps. The performance boost allows games to hit their performance target more consistently then on previous hardware, as well as running dynamic resolution games at their highest supported resolutions. While this is nice, Xbox Series X takes it a whole step further. In addition to applying a massive performance boost to every single Xbox One game (PS5 Game Boost profile varies upon game), it automatically forces 16x anisotropic filtering across every legacy game helping clean up muddy textures at oblique angles. Xbox One X versions of games usually ran at higher resolutions or had other graphical benefits compared to PS4 Pro versions of games, which means the Series X will more often have better versions of last-gen games compared to the PS5.

Developers also get the option to make graphical or resolution enhancements on games running in backwards compatibility mode on Series X, which cannot be done on PS5 outside of minor dynamic resolution enhancements. For example, while Cyberpunk 2077 (this is just a technical example) is one of the few games that had the FPS cap changed to 60fps on PS5, all the visual settings and resolution limits are the exact same. CD Projekt Red was able to implement graphical and resolution upgrades on Series X, despite it being the Xbox One version.

Upgrading the frame rate on last-gen games is significantly easier to do on Xbox then on PlayStation. Call of Duty Warzone has received a 120fps mode on Series X despite running in backwards compatibility mode, which may not even be possible on PS5 without a next-gen port. Microsoft also recently announced FPS boost, which is a new technique that allows games to run at double their frame rate without any actual code being changed from the developer. The selection of games that received this feature was limited at launch, but has already seen a sizeable increase in the addition of many Bethesda games incorporating this feature.

The Xbox Series X backwards compatibility is also better able to utilize SSD speeds on last-gen games, while on average the PS5 does not see as big of an improvement with loading PS4 games. In a lot of cases load times can be substantially slower than the Series X. For those looking to expand their storage for playing last-gen games, the investment of an external SSD over an HDD is far more beneficial on Series X then on PS5.

There are also select games on PS5 that exhibit weird behaviour, such as severe graphical glitching in Assassins Creed Syndicate. Xbox Series X rock solid compatibility doesn’t appear to suffer from any such issue.

Games Pass and PC integration

Game Pass’s value will depend on your game preferences, but there’s no denying that Game Pass Ultimate is one of the best deals in gaming. Microsoft literally throws in their exclusive games the same day they release, which is a completely different business model compared to Sony’s. Surprisingly, the 2021 release of the previously PlayStation exclusive MLB The Show series (Sony continues to develop and publish the game) is now going to launch on Games Pass.

Considering all the studios Microsoft has acquired, means the selection has only gotten better, especially with the addition of a backlog of ZeniMax/Bethesda games. On Games Pass the games span across different generations of consoles. For a monthly subscription fee, a user gets access to a library of games on Xbox and PC with Ultimate, in addition to Xbox Live Gold, and game streaming. Microsoft has even partnered with EA to include EA’s own subscription service EA Play into the mix. There are cheaper versions that don’t include everything if your only interested in one platform.

Xbox play anywhere program allows for Xbox exclusives purchased once to be played on Xbox consoles and PC. The Xbox controllers also play a lot nicer with PC then PlayStation controllers. No third-party work arounds are necessary, Bluetooth compatibility is better and you will get more accurate in-game button representation.

Xbox has also made it easier for developers to integrate free next-gen upgrades with smart delivery, although most games seem to offer the same upgrade paths on PS5 in a slightly more confusing manor.

Same price, better hardware

The Xbox Series X is expected to be slightly more expensive then the PS5 to manufacture, but the Xbox is the same retail price as the standard PS5 disc model it is competing with. Both come in at 499 USD. In some regions such as Canada, the Series X is slightly cheaper then the PS5. The Series X also comes with around 200GB more storage then PS5. At the end of the day the manufacturing cost means nothing compared to the overall experience, but both consoles are offering similar experiences.

Controller compatibility and battery life

While the new Xbox controller may be lacking in new features compared to the PS5’s DualSense, at least your old Xbox One controllers can be used to play Series X games. On PS5, previous DualShock 4 controllers only work on PS4 games despite retaining the exact same button layout and none of the DualSense’s new features being essential to in-game compatibility (Sony even gives the option to disable them on PS5 games). Controllers are ridiculously expensive these days, and not having to buy another controller will save a lot of money and e-waste. Although Xbox is still using AA batteries by default, the battery life will last several times longer then the PS5’s rechargeable battery. Even if you were to purchase a cheap third-party rechargeable battery pack for your Xbox controller, the battery life on those typically will still last a lot longer then a PS5 controller, and as a bonus can be replaced a lot more easily, extending the life of the controller.

Dolby Atmos and 3D (spatial) audio

Sony made a big deal about 3D audio on PS5, despite it lacking in comparison right now. On PS5 you must use Sony’s proprietary 3D audio software, which right now isn’t exactly blowing people away (outside of first party titles). On Series X you can choose between Microsoft’s own Windows Sonic Spatial Software or utilize the far better reviewed Dolby Atmos for Headphone paid app. Technically there are three different spatial software implementations to choose from, as DTS X’s app is available as well. The only downside is that Windows Sonic is the only one that does not cost anything extra.

All three of these software implementations also work on last-gen Xbox One games, by utilizing the native surround sound support built into those games, essentially giving a virtual surround sound effect. On PS5, Sony states that 3D audio only works on supported titles, meaning in order to get virtual surround sound on PS4 titles, you would need to invest in a PlayStation branded headset such as the Pulse 3D or Gold Wireless (or expensive third party mix-amp). On Xbox, any wired headset can be used, even an HDMI one. Xbox’s official headset also doesn’t require a USB dongle like Sony’s does, and also features Bluetooth for universal compatibility and dual audio sources.

Even if you are not using headphones, the Xbox Series X has a clear advantage right now. All 3D audio games can be output as a Dolby Atmos signal, to be utilized on your home theatre setup. These height enhanced surround systems have increased in popularity and offer a clear advantage over standard 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound systems (which, as of right now, is all the PS5 supports). Also, if you don’t have a surround sound setup you can still enjoy streaming movies with virtual surround or spatial audio on Xbox, as it can virtualize the Dolby Digital surround or Atmos codec into headphones.

Game distribution

Microsoft allows games to be sold via digital download codes at third party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy. This gives players an alternative store other than Microsoft’s to purchase digital games, also makes gifting games a lot easier. Unfortunately, back in 2019 Sony stopped allowing PlayStation digital games to be sold anywhere else besides the PlayStation Store. This is an anti-consumer practice as users can only purchase disc-based games from elsewhere, giving Sony full control of digital prices (PS5 Digital Edition can’t even play discs).

Better video output: High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

The Xbox Series X has support for Dolby Vision in addition to HDR10. Dolby Vision is regarded as the superior HDR format, which is supported while streaming video on the Series X. PS5 lacks this feature, right now it’s not a big deal, but eventually when games start supporting this feature the Series X might offer more HDR impact. PS5 also can’t output 1440p, which means monitors with this resolution are better suited to the Series X, which does support it. Depending on the display, this means PS5 may be limited to 1080p if the monitor can’t accept a 4k signal, or when outputting 120hz on HDMI 2.0 displays. The PS5 also has a reduced HDMI 2.1 bandwidth compared to the Series X, meaning outputting a 4K 120hz HDR signal will require the use of chroma subsampling (color compression technique that most users will not notice), compared to the lossless RGB output on Xbox.

Xbox Series X has a feature called auto HDR, which through intelligent AI can convert most SDR games to HDR. The results so far have been fairly good, and the feature can be turned on or off. Microsoft has done extensive testing and automatically disables it on games that don’t have positive results, the feature even goes as far back to original Xbox and 360 games. On PS5 the HDR support on SDR games is no where near as good. The PS5 outputs all SDR games in HDR when HDR is enabled, but it does so by simply tone mapping the SDR signal in an HDR container. There’s nothing fancy going on here. This overall messes with how a TV would normally display the image, which can cause certain elements to look worse or overly bright. Unfortunately, there’s no way to automatically disable this on SDR games without manually turning off HDR in system output settings on PS5.

PS5 still hasn’t received the VRR update yet, so even when it eventually arrives, we don’t know how well it will even be implemented. The Xbox Series X has some of the best VRR support of any graphics hardware. The Xbox Series X supports both AMD FreeSync over HDMI, and the HDMI 2.1 Forum VRR. Which means it should work on FreeSync only monitors in addition to HDMI 2.1 VRR only TVs. Xbox also does LFC (Low Frame Rate Compensation) automatically to compensate for 30fps games on a 60hz signal. It also allows 120hz output to be forced on all games regardless of FPS cap (unlike the PS5), which has benefits such as full range VRR through LFC, lower input lag on certain TVs and slightly better frame pacing during performance drops on fixed refresh rate displays. The Xbox Series X improves on the Xbox One by supporting VRR on all games, where as Sony has said when they launch there VRR update it will only work on supported titles.

Quick resume and instant-on

Technically the PlayStation 5 does have its own version of instant-on, except it isn’t nearly as instant. Booting up your PS5 from rest mode doesn’t feel anywhere near as quick as it does on the Series X, it’s closer to the PS4 in speed. Which is surprising since the PS5’s SSD is a lot faster. We are not sure if this is an intentional power saving protocol in the PS5, hardware limitation or un-optimized firmware. While this is hardly a deal breaker, the PS5 also lacks the feature to quick resume games. The Series X has the ability to save the state of a game while you open up another game. It can switch between multiple saved games fairly quickly thanks to the SSD. This is a useful feature that helps make it feel next-gen, since not even PCs officially have this feature. Unfortunately, there are limitations with supported games and number of save states allowed. This is a feature that could be added to the PS5 in a future firmware update, since it can already load games to developer implemented states through the cards feature. The PS5 does have a switcher element built into the UI, except it has to cold boot each new game every time. While PS5 games might start up really fast, PS4 games can still take a while.

Storage and file transfer

The Series X has just a little over 800GB of free space, while the PS5 only gets around 667GB. That’s enough for maybe one or two extra games (not including a Call of Duty game). Also, the Series X right now does support storage upgrades, via Microsoft’s proprietary Storage Expansion Card. PS5 still has no compatible storage upgrade options. The PS5 will eventually receive upgrades, but its approach is messier than Microsoft’s. Microsoft’s card is hot swappable and can be easily plugged in, while the PS5 requires the user to screw in an internal drive under the hood of the console. This will mean users can easily swap their storage drives across multiple Xbox Series consoles while the PS5s drive is locked down and not easily removable.

While both consoles support USB 3 external drives for backwards compatible games, the Xbox does it better. The Xbox Series X can cold store next-gen games on the external drive, so they don’t have to be re-downloaded. The PS5 still doesn’t have this feature despite Sony saying it will eventually arrive. Also, PS4 games on PS5 can only be transferred; you cannot store the game on both the internal and external at the same time, which can be frustrating if you plan on copying the game to another PS5 system. Series X supports copying just like a PC. It also supports multiple external drives connected at the same time, while the PS5 can only connect one at a time. External drives with a USB hub built-in are supported on Series X, but not on PS5.

As of right now the Series X does support more video file formats and streaming apps, making it a slightly better media system. If you still want the ability to play music CDs in 2021, the PS5 cannot do this but the Series X can (this probably means PS5 will never get ability to play PS1 or PS2 games from disc). Lastly another benefit of the Series X is automatic save file transfer via the cloud instead of manually downloading saves on PS5 (both consoles require Plus or Live subscription).