The PS5 vs. Xbox Series X debate has gamers split, and neither side is backing down.
It’s been almost five years since launch, yet the internet still argues like it’s day one. Reviews? Countless. YouTube breakdowns? Endless. And somehow, nobody agrees.
Some swear the PS5 is the ultimate console with its mind-blowing exclusives. Others say Xbox’s sheer power and Game Pass make it the obvious winner. Who’s right? Well, let’s just say it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.
Do you want faster load times? Smoother graphics? The biggest game library? Or just the best deal for your money? Because that’s where things get interesting.
Sony packs the PS5 with jaw-dropping visuals, top-tier storytelling, and a controller that feels like magic. Microsoft fires back with superior specs, better backward compatibility, and a subscription service that’s almost too good to be true. Both have perks. Both have flaws.
So, which one wins? We’ll break it down based on their hardware, design, controllers, subscriptions, exclusives, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which console fits your gaming style.
Let’s settle this. Or at least get you closer to a decision.
Specs matter, but they don’t always tell the full story. Xbox Series X, compared to PS5, looks stronger on paper with more raw power, higher TFLOPs, and a slightly faster CPU.
But does that always mean better performance? Not necessarily.
Sony took a different approach. The PlayStation 5 may not have the most teraflops, but its SSD is significantly faster, making load times and asset streaming feel seamless. This impacts real-world gaming more than just raw numbers.
| Feature | PlayStation 5 (PS5) | Xbox Series X | Edge |
| CPU | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores @ 3.5 GHz (variable) | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT) | Xbox (higher base clock speed) |
| GPU | RDNA 2, 36 CUs @ 2.23 GHz (10.28 TFLOPs) | RDNA 2, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz (12 TFLOPs) | Xbox (higher TFLOPs & more CUs) |
| RAM | 16 GB GDDR6 @ 448 GB/s | 16 GB GDDR6 (10 GB @ 560 GB/s + 6 GB @ 336 GB/s) | Xbox (higher bandwidth for main 10GB pool) |
| Storage | 825 GB NVMe SSD (5.5 GB/s raw, 8-9 GB/s compressed) | 1 TB NVMe SSD (2.4 GB/s raw, 4.8 GB/s compressed) | PS5 (much faster SSD) |
Based on the above comparison, you can see that Xbox takes the lead in raw power, but PS5’s SSD is its secret weapon. If you value brute force, Xbox wins. If you care about efficiency and speed, PS5 makes a damn strong case.
Winner: PlayStation 5 (due to SSD speed advantage)
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If there’s one area where PS5 leaves Xbox behind, it’s speed. The difference between PS5 and Xbox isn’t just about GPU power but how fast the games actually load.
| Feature | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X | Edge |
| Storage Type | Custom NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0) | NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0) | Tie |
| Raw Speed | 5.5 GB/s | 2.4 GB/s | PS5 (more than 2x faster) |
| Compressed Speed | 9 GB/s | 2.4 GB/s | PS5 (almost 2x faster) |
| Game Load Times (Spider-Man: Miles Morales) | 2.5 sec | 4.8 GB/s | PS5 (significantly faster) |
| Game Load Times (Red Dead Redemption 2) | 13.1 sec | 17.3 sec | PS5 (faster SSD impact) |
In the comparison above, you can see that Sony’s SSD isn’t just fast—it’s next-gen fast. We’re talking half the load times in some cases. Xbox’s SSD is no slouch, but it’s noticeably slower in side-by-side comparisons.
So, for anyone who hates waiting, PS5 is the obvious choice.
Winner: PlayStation 5 (due to SSD speed)
Raw specs tell one story, but real-world gaming tells another.
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X graphics comparisons have been all over the place, and the truth? They’re closer than most people expected.
Both consoles deliver smooth performance in most games, but in high-frame-rate modes, PS5 takes a slight lead.
Is that a dealbreaker? No. But it shows that bare specs don’t always win.
| Game | PlayStation 5 FPS | Xbox Series X FPS | Winner |
| Devil May Cry 5 (High Frame Rate Mode) | 120 FPS | 118 FPS | PS5 |
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | Tie |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Performance Mode) | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | Tie |
| Control (Ray-Tracing Mode) | 30 FPS | 30 FPS | Tie |
Both consoles deliver smooth, high-quality gaming. PS5 has a slight edge in select titles, but most games run the same.
Winner: Slight Edge to PS5 (minor FPS advantage in some games, but mostly tied)
When it comes to playing old games, Xbox is the clear winner. If you have a backlog of old games, the Xbox Series X is hands-down the better pick.
Sony’s approach? PlayStation 5 only supports PS4 games. That’s it. Xbox? You get titles dating back to the original Xbox, plus FPS Boost on many older games.
| Feature | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X | Edge |
| PS4/Xbox One Games | Yes (most titles) | Yes (all titles) | Tie |
| Older Console Support | No PS1, PS2, PS3 support | Yes (Xbox, 360, One) | Xbox (better legacy support) |
| FPS Boost Feature | No | Yes | Xbox (improves old games) |
This is where PS5 takes the lead. The DualSense controller isn’t just an upgrade; it’s an experience. It’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers make every game feel more immersive.
Microsoft? They played it safe. The Xbox controller is great, but it’s just an evolution, not a revolution. It’s comfortable, reliable, and familiar, but it doesn’t bring anything new.
| Feature | DualSense (PS5) | Xbox Series X Controller | Edge |
| Haptic Feedback | Yes (Advanced) | No | PS5 |
| Adaptive Triggers | Yes | No | PS5 |
| Battery Type | Rechargeable (built-in) | AA Batteries (replaceable) | Subjective (PS5 for convenience, Xbox for longevity) |
| Ergonomics | Comfortable, immersive | Familiar, refined | Subjective (preference-based) |
So, if you want next-gen immersion, PS5 wins this one for its superior immersion features. If you are looking to upgrade your controller experience, you can browse a wide range of gaming controllers online and find the perfect fit for your playstyle.
Looks aren’t everything, but they do matter. And let’s be honest—the PS5 and Xbox Series X couldn’t look more different.
The PS5 is massive, bold, and futuristic. Some love it; some hate it. It’s a statement piece. The Xbox Series X, on the other hand, is compact, simple, and blends in effortlessly.
| Feature | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X | Edge |
| Size | Large (15.4 in height) | Compact (11.8 in height) | Xbox (smaller, easier to fit) |
| Cooling System | Large heatsink & liquid metal | Vapor chamber cooling | Tie (both efficient) |
| Noise Levels | ~38 dB | ~35 dB | Xbox (slightly quieter) |
As you can see in the side-by-side comparison we did, functionality-wise, Xbox runs quieter, and its smaller size makes it easier to fit into setups. PS5’s design is unique, but it demands space. If you’re going for sleek and practical, Xbox takes this one.
PlayStation 5 dominates this area. If you’re buying a console for exclusives, Sony is the clear winner.
| Feature | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X | Edge |
| First-Party Exclusives | God of War: Ragnarok, Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy XVI | Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Starfield | PS5 (stronger exclusives overall) |
| Game Pass Subscription | No equivalent | Yes (Xbox Game Pass Ultimate) | Xbox (best game library access) |
| Day-One PC Release | No (delayed PC ports) | Yes (Game Pass day-one PC releases) | Xbox (better ecosystem) |
Spider-Man 2, God of War, Final Fantasy XVI, and The Last of Us.. the PS5 exclusives vs. Xbox aren’t even close. Xbox has great games like Halo, Starfield, and Forza, but most of them are also available on PC.
If you love cinematic, story-driven games that you can’t play anywhere else, PlayStation 5 is the way to go.
Here’s where Xbox fights back hard. Game Pass vs. PlayStation Plus? Not even close.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers day-one releases, a massive rotating library, cloud gaming, and full PC compatibility. PlayStation Plus Premium has a bigger library but delays first-party releases, which hurts its value.
For anyone who loves variety and the best bang for their buck, Game Pass is the clear winner.
| Feature | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | PlayStation Plus Premium | Edge |
| Game Library | 400+ games (rotating library) | 700+ games (including older titles) | PS+ (bigger total library) |
| Day-One Releases | Yes (all first-party Xbox games + some third-party) | No (first-party games delayed) | Game Pass (better for new games) |
| Cloud Gaming | Yes (on console, PC, mobile) | Limited to select games and regions | Game Pass (more flexibility) |
| Pricing | $16.99/month (Ultimate) | $17.99/month (Premium) | Game Pass (better value) |
| PC Compatibility | PC Compatibility Yes (Game Pass on PC) | Limited cloud streaming on PC | Game Pass (better cross-platform support) |
| Classic Games | Limited selection | PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, and PS4 games | PS+ (stronger retro support) |
Winner: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (More value, day-one releases, better cloud support)
As of March 2025, the PlayStation 5 (PS5) has significantly outsold the Xbox Series X|S, with lifetime sales of approximately 74.15 million units worldwide compared to the Xbox Series X|S’s 32.46 million units.
These numbers show that it’s not just about specs but also about brand loyalty, exclusives, and global reach. Xbox is growing, thanks to Game Pass, but PS5 is still a more popular console worldwide.
In the long-running debate of PS5 vs. Xbox Series X, which console is truly better? Well, the answer depends on what you value most.
| Category | Winner |
| Technical Performance | Xbox Series X (more raw power) |
| Real-World Gaming | PS5 (faster SSD & better FPS in some games) |
| Load Times | PS5 (superior SSD speed) |
| Backward Compatibility | Xbox Series X (supports older games) |
| Controller Features | PS5 (haptic feedback & adaptive triggers) |
| Design & Noise Levels | Xbox Series X (smaller & quieter) |
| Exclusives & Library | PS5 (stronger exclusives) |
| Game Subscription Service | Xbox Game Pass (more value & day-one games) |
| Market Success | PS5 (higher sales) |
On one hand, the Xbox has better raw power, backward compatibility, and a superior subscription service. Still, the PS5 wins in immersion, exclusives, and SSD performance, putting it just ahead of the Xbox Series X.
So, what’s the right pick?
If you’re after the best exclusives, more immersive gameplay, and a console that feels truly next-gen, the PlayStation 5 is the winner, just by a slight margin.
It depends on what you value most. Xbox Series X has better raw power, backward compatibility, and Game Pass, while PS5 wins in exclusives, SSD speed, and immersion. If you want the best gaming experience and exclusives, PS5 is the better choice.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the clear winner. It offers hundreds of games, day-one releases, cloud gaming, and PC compatibility. PlayStation Plus Premium has a larger game library, but it doesn’t include new exclusives on launch day. For sheer value, Game Pass takes this one.
Both consoles are widely available now, unlike the shortages in earlier years. However, due to its popularity, PS5 still sells out faster in some regions. Xbox Series X is generally easier to find in stock.
On paper, the Xbox Series X has a more powerful GPU. However, in real-world gaming, the difference is minimal. Most games run identically on both, but PS5’s faster SSD helps with smoother asset streaming. Graphics-wise, both consoles are neck and neck.
Ubuy content team consist of various writers specializing in different niches. They write blogs about different topics ranging from science, human relationships to the latest technology to share their thoughts, ideas and knowledge with the world.
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