Xbox Series X delivers marginally higher raw GPU performance (12 TFLOPS vs 10.28 TFLOPS) and faster load times via its custom SSD architecture, while PS5 offers a stronger exclusive game library with 150+ exclusive titles and broader third-party support through its 110+ million installed base.
Xbox Series X vs PlayStation 5 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Current-generation Microsoft console with 4K gaming and 1TB SSD storage
Sony's flagship console with industry-leading exclusive franchises and advanced haptic controller technology
GPU Performance. SSD Read Speed. Exclusive Games Available. Game Pass Value. Installed Base. CPU Architecture. Backward Compatibility
Choose Xbox Series X if you prioritize raw performance, Game Pass value (200+ day-one AAA titles annually), and want the most powerful console hardware available. Choose PlayStation 5 if you prefer exclusive narrative-driven games (Astro's Playroom, Kena, Spider-Man series), a larger active player community, and PSVR2 support for virtual reality gaming.
Xbox Series X: $499 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: AMD Zen 2 (8-core at 3.8GHz) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12 TFLOPs | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10GB GDDR6 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K at 60fps native | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2020 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: RDNA 2 (Current-gen) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2,400 MB/s | PlayStation 5: 5.5 GB/s
Xbox Series X: 27.5% | PlayStation 5: 72.5%
Xbox Series X: $17.99/month | PlayStation 5: No equivalent (PlayStation Plus Extra $18.99/month)
Xbox Series X: Quietest gaming console ever made | PlayStation 5: Standard noise levels
Xbox Series X: 2 (Standard & All-Digital) | PlayStation 5: 3 (Standard, Digital, Slim)
Xbox Series X: -2.9% | PlayStation 5: +2.9%
Xbox Series X: ~98% Xbox One compatible | PlayStation 5: ~95% PS4 compatible
Xbox Series X: $180/year (Game Pass Ultimate) | PlayStation 5: $120/year (PS Plus Premium)
Xbox Series X: 15 | PlayStation 5: 12+ major exclusives
Xbox Series X: No major announcement | PlayStation 5: PSSR2 AI upscaling (2026, free)
Standard Console Launch Price (MSRP 2026)
Xbox Series X: $499 (Xbox Series X) | PlayStation 5: $499 (PS5 Standard)
Xbox Series X: 16GB | PlayStation 5: 16GB GDDR6
Xbox Series X: 4K (2160p) at 120fps | PlayStation 5: 4K (2160p) at 120fps
Xbox Series X: PCIe Gen 4 NVME | PlayStation 5: Custom ultra-fast SSD (faster)
Xbox Series X: 500+ games included | PlayStation 5: 400+ games (PS Plus Extra)
Xbox Series X: 25 million units | PlayStation 5: 40 million units
Xbox Series X: 4 generations (Xbox original to Series) | PlayStation 5: 2-3 generations (PS2-PS4 selective)
Xbox Series X: 16 GB (10 GDDR6 + 6 DDR5) | PlayStation 5: 16 GB GDDR6
Xbox Series X: 60 FPS at 4K | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: WiFi 7 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 34.43 million | PlayStation 5: 91.04 million
Xbox Series X: 27.4% | PlayStation 5: 72.6%
Xbox Series X: 120 fps | PlayStation 5: 60-120 fps (PS5 Pro exceeds)
Xbox Series X: Forza, Starfield, Game Pass exclusives | PlayStation 5: Horizon: Zenith Chronicles, Ghost of Tsushima: Revelations, Marvel titles
Xbox Series X: 600+ compatible titles | PlayStation 5: 200+ compatible titles
Xbox Series X: $220 | PlayStation 5: $230
Xbox Series X: $11.99/month | PlayStation 5: PlayStation Plus: $9.99-$17.99
Xbox Series X: 16GB GDDR6 | PlayStation 5: 16GB GDDR6
Xbox Series X: $599.99 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3328 shading units | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 320-bit interface | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K / 60fps | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3500+ titles | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Baseline (100%) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16.7 TFLOPS | PlayStation 5: 10.28 TFLOPS
Xbox Series X: 3-4 major titles | PlayStation 5: 6-8 major titles
Xbox Series X: Standard vibration | PlayStation 5: Advanced haptic feedback + adaptive triggers
Xbox Series X: 60 FPS standard, up to 120 FPS | PlayStation 5: 60 FPS standard, up to 120 FPS
Xbox Series X: 2.4 GB/s | PlayStation 5: 5.5 GB/s
Xbox Series X: Hardware-accelerated, full support | PlayStation 5: Hardware-accelerated, full support
Xbox Series X: 8 major exclusives | PlayStation 5: 18 major exclusives
Xbox Series X: $10.99/month (Game Pass Core) | PlayStation 5: $9.99/month (PlayStation Plus Essential)
Xbox Series X: $599.99 | PlayStation 5: $599.99
Xbox Series X: 560 GB/s | PlayStation 5: 825 GB/s
Xbox Series X: 500+ titles (Game Pass Ultimate) | PlayStation 5: 750+ titles (PlayStation Plus tiers)
Xbox Series X: No - standard vibration only | PlayStation 5: Yes - DualSense haptic triggers
Xbox Series X: 16.7% more powerful | PlayStation 5: Baseline
Xbox Series X: 10% faster | PlayStation 5: Baseline
Xbox Series X: Standard speed | PlayStation 5: 30% faster custom SSD
Xbox Series X: $499 | PlayStation 5: $499
Xbox Series X: Current generation (4 years optimized) | PlayStation 5: 6 years of custom optimization
Xbox Series X: Xbox One, Xbox 360, Original Xbox titles | PlayStation 5: Limited PS4 backward compatibility
Xbox Series X: Yes, 4K/60FPS standard | PlayStation 5: Yes, 4K/60FPS capable
Xbox Series X: £449.99 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000GB | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Yes, native 4K/60fps | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Can keep up with PS5 Pro in some instances | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 generations (Xbox One, 360, Original, Series) | PlayStation 5: Select PS4 titles only (1 generation)
Xbox Series X: 300+ | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3 major exclusives | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard SSD | PlayStation 5: Custom SSD (faster)
Xbox Series X: Extensive (4+ generations of Xbox titles) | PlayStation 5: Limited
Xbox Series X: Consistent 4-8% performance advantage on cross-platform titles | PlayStation 5: Closes gap through optimization
Xbox Series X: Current generation optimization | PlayStation 5: 6 years of proven optimization techniques
Xbox Series X: $649.99 | PlayStation 5: $649.99
Xbox Series X: Not available | PlayStation 5: $599.99
Xbox Series X: 12.15 | PlayStation 5: 10.28
Xbox Series X: 1000 | PlayStation 5: 825
Xbox Series X: 649.99 | PlayStation 5: 599.99
Xbox Series X: 499.99 | PlayStation 5: 519.99
Xbox Series X: 4K/1440p | PlayStation 5: 4K/1080p
Xbox Series X: Extensive (4 generations) | PlayStation 5: Good (PS4/PS3 select)
Xbox Series X: 2.4 GB/s | PlayStation 5: 5.5 GB/s (custom optimized)
Xbox Series X: 6,000+ (Xbox One, 360, OG Xbox) | PlayStation 5: 4,500+ PS4 games (99%)
Xbox Series X: 100+ annually | PlayStation 5: 15-20 PS Plus tier
Xbox Series X: 60 fps (targeted) | PlayStation 5: 120 fps (capable)
Xbox Series X: 8 major titles | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 400+ (Game Pass) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 38% | PlayStation 5: 72.5%
Xbox Series X: Yes, standard | PlayStation 5: Native 4K capable
Xbox Series X: 52 CUs equivalent (12 TFLOPS) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10x faster SSD (vs PS4) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Baseline stable performance | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K/60FPS confirmed (Replaced) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 generations (Xbox to Series X) | PlayStation 5: 2 generations
Xbox Series X: No thermal issues reported | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000GB usable | PlayStation 5: 825 GB (usable)
Xbox Series X: 120fps native | PlayStation 5: 120fps (PS5 Pro)
Xbox Series X: $599.99 | PlayStation 5: $499.99
Xbox Series X: Outperforms PS5 Pro | PlayStation 5: Slightly lower frame consistency
Xbox Series X: Game Pass (400+ games, day-one releases) | PlayStation 5: PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium
Xbox Series X: 2,560 MB/s | PlayStation 5: 5,500 MB/s
Xbox Series X: 1,000 GB | PlayStation 5: 825 GB
Xbox Series X: 120 fps | PlayStation 5: 120 fps
Xbox Series X: 25+ exclusives | PlayStation 5: 40+ exclusives
Xbox Series X: 500+ (Xbox Game Pass) | PlayStation 5: Limited (PlayStation Plus Extra tier)
Xbox Series X: External (up to 65"+ via HDMI) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K (3840 x 2160) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 120 Hz | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: N/A (plugged in) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 9.4 lbs | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 450+ Game Pass + digital store | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K (2160p) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000 GB | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K Blu-ray disc drive | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K @ 60 FPS (Replaced) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 8 | PlayStation 5: 8 cores @ 3.5 GHz
Xbox Series X: Up to 4K (2160p) @ 120Hz | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16 GB GDDR6 | PlayStation 5: 16 GB GDDR6
Xbox Series X: $499 (standard) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ Game Pass day-one exclusives | PlayStation 5: 500+ AAA titles
Xbox Series X: 448 GB/s | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 85% (3+ generations of titles) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: ~50 major exclusives | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard FSR/DLSS support | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: $500 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 60 FPS (native optimized) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 200+ exclusive | PlayStation 5: ~500 PS5-exclusive/optimized
Xbox Series X: 10 minutes | PlayStation 5: 5 minutes (unbox, connect, play)
Xbox Series X: 4K (2160p) @ 120fps | PlayStation 5: 4K @ 120fps
Xbox Series X: $180/year (Game Pass Ultimate) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4,250g (requires desk/TV mount) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: N/A (not portable) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 150+ exclusives | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3.8 GHz (7-core Zen 2) | PlayStation 5: 3.5 GHz variable
Xbox Series X: 4K @ 120fps | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ (Game Pass) | PlayStation 5: 700+ (PS Plus Premium)
Xbox Series X: 500+ Xbox/360 games | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard ray tracing | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12 TFLOPS | PlayStation 5: 10.28 TFLOPS
Xbox Series X: No, stationary only | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 120 fps | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 25+ million | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 8 cores (custom x86) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000 | PlayStation 5: 825 GB usable
Xbox Series X: 500+ | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 400+ | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 28+ Million | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12 TFLOPS | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: AMD Zen 2, 8 cores @ 3.8 GHz | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1 TB NVMe SSD (proprietary expansion) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: $499 (with disc drive) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K/120fps | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: UHD Blu-ray included | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: Hardware ray tracing (AMD) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1.2-1.8s | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K/60fps typical | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 major exclusives | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3.8 GHz | PlayStation 5: 3.5 GHz
Xbox Series X: 1000GB | PlayStation 5: 825GB
Xbox Series X: 400+ games | PlayStation 5: 740+ (PS Plus Premium with legacy)
Xbox Series X: Standard implementation | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 30+ exclusive franchises | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10+ simultaneous | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 800+ | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16 GB | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 28 million | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 6 years (released Nov 2020) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10.7 TFLOPS (Zen 2 architecture) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ optimized for Series X | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 47 exclusives | PlayStation 5: 150+ exclusives
Xbox Series X: 25 million | PlayStation 5: 110+ million
Xbox Series X: 180W typical | PlayStation 5: 110W typical
Xbox Series X: $16.99 (Game Pass Ultimate) | PlayStation 5: $17.99 (PS Plus Premium)
Xbox Series X: $499.99 | PlayStation 5: $499.99
Xbox Series X: 1.2 seconds | PlayStation 5: 0.8 seconds
Xbox Series X: Current Generation (5+ years) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10-15 | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K (3840x2160) | PlayStation 5: N/A
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 90.20
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Not disclosed
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: $499
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Home Console Only
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Estimated 70+
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: God of War, Spider-Man, Gran Turismo, Returnal
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Behind by 6.39M
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: None (stationary)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 120Hz at 4K
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Precision 3D Audio (evolved)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Advanced adaptive triggers
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 16GB GDDR6
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 3840x2160 (4K)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: $499-$549
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Stable native 4K
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: Baseline (100%)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 4K (3840x2160)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 120 fps at 4K
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: ~2,000 PS5 optimized
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: No (requires TV and power outlet)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 4K (2160p)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 5-10 seconds
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 5-15% typical
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: $80 (PlayStation Plus Extra)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 4K/60fps or 1440p/120fps
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: ~15% of multiplayer titles
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 60 FPS
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: $70/year (PlayStation Plus)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 10 GB (unified architecture)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 30 minutes
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 40+ (God of War, Spider-Man, Horizon)
Xbox Series X: N/A | PlayStation 5: 42 major exclusives
How to choose between Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X vs PlayStation 5 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Xbox Series X vs PlayStation 5. Contains 246 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Which console has better graphics — Xbox Series X or PS5?
Xbox Series X delivers 12 TFLOPS GPU performance versus PS5's 10.28 TFLOPS, providing ~16% more theoretical graphics power. However, real-world differences are minimal since both are CPU-bound at 1440p/4K 60fps. Most third-party games deliver identical visual quality on both consoles. Exclusive optimization (God of War Ragnarök on PS5, Starfield on Xbox) shows each platform's strengths, but differences are visually indistinguishable at normal viewing distances.
Is PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X faster at loading games?
PS5 is significantly faster with its 5.5 GB/s custom SSD versus Xbox's 2.4 GB/s, but Xbox's DirectStorage API and velocity architecture enable comparable real-world load times (typically 1-3 second difference). PS5 games load 30-50% faster in controlled benchmarks. For practical gameplay, both consoles load modern AAA titles in under 15 seconds, making the difference imperceptible during normal play.
What's better for exclusive games — Xbox or PlayStation?
PlayStation 5 has 150+ exclusive titles including God of War Ragnarök, Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Kena, and upcoming Black Myth successor games. Xbox Series X has only 47 exclusives, primarily Halo Infinite, Starfield, and Forza titles. If exclusive games are your priority, PS5 offers substantially more variety and award-winning single-player experiences. Xbox's strength lies in Game Pass, which provides 400+ games including exclusives, rather than exclusive count.
Which console has better online multiplayer communities?
PlayStation 5's 110+ million installed base far exceeds Xbox's 25 million, resulting in larger active player pools for online games. Major multiplayer titles (Call of Duty, Fortnite, Apex Legends) see 3-5x more concurrent PS5 players. For competitive gaming, PS5 offers faster matchmaking and more consistent player pools. However, cross-play with PC/mobile diminishes platform importance for most multiplayer titles in 2026.
Is Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Premium better value?
Game Pass Ultimate ($16.99/month, 400+ games) provides superior value with guaranteed day-one AAA releases (Starfield, Indiana Jones, Flight Simulator). PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99/month, 740+ games) includes legacy PS1-PS3 titles but fewer current AAA releases. Game Pass costs $3 less monthly and delivers more new premium content, making it better for budget-conscious players seeking latest releases. PS Plus Premium excels for players wanting classic gaming library access.
How to Choose Between Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5
GPU Performance: Xbox Series X has 12 TFLOPS, while PlayStation 5 has 10.28 TFLOPS.
SSD Read Speed: Xbox Series X has 2.4 GB/s, while PlayStation 5 has 5.5 GB/s (raw) / 8-9 GB/s (compressed).
Exclusive Games Available: Xbox Series X has 47 exclusive titles, while PlayStation 5 has 150+ exclusive titles.
Game Pass Value: Xbox Series X has $16.99/month (Game Pass Ultimate), while PlayStation 5 has $17.99/month (PlayStation Plus Premium).
Installed Base: Xbox Series X has 25 million units (2026), while PlayStation 5 has 110+ million units (2026).
CPU Architecture: Xbox Series X has 8-core AMD Zen 2 3.8 GHz, while PlayStation 5 has 8-core AMD Zen 2 3.5 GHz.
Backward Compatibility: Xbox Series X has Plays 4,000+ Xbox One/360 games, while PlayStation 5 has Plays 4,200+ PS4 games.