Recently, both Sony and Microsoft released their newest consoles: the PS5 and the Xbox Series X, respectively. Like the average teenager, you probably wanted one, but couldn’t get your hands on either because the consoles sold out within seconds after release. According to CNN Business, “12% of Americans over 13 plan to buy the PS5, while 10% said they would buy a new Xbox, according to a poll of over 2,000 gamers from marketing research firm CivicScience.” 

Now, let’s take a look at the specs of both consoles. According to Tom’s Guide, both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are priced right around $500.00. Although the original PS5 is valued at $500.00, the digital edition is priced at $400.00. The CPU of the PS5 is an 8-core 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2, whereas the CPU of an Xbox Series X is 8-core, 3.8 GHz AMD Zen 2. CPU wise, the Xbox takes the win. Similarly, the Xbox has a 12.0 teraflop AMD RDNA 2 GPU whereas the PS5 has a 10.3 teraflop AMD RDNA 2. Those are the only major spec differences between the Xbox and the Playstation.

Now, let’s look into the design of both consoles. For the PS5, it all depends on preference. The console itself is fairly huge compared to other consoles, and has an abstract-type shape. On the other hand, the Xbox Series X is simply a rectangular prism. Many disparagingly call it a “refrigerator.” With regard to controllers, the PS5 Dual- Sense controller is like no other yet released. It has many new features such as a built in microphone, as well as much larger grips. On the other hand, the Xbox controller looks pretty similar to the prior Xbox controllers, with very few minor upgrades such as a new “share” button and new grips.

Overall, the Xbox Series X and PS5 are similar with slight, albeit important differences. Each console has its pros and cons, from specs to overall design. So, which is better? As always, the gaming experience is a personal one so this remains up for you to decide