PS5 Slim Digital vs Xbox Series S: Which is the better gaming console in 2024?
The PS5 Slim Digital and the Xbox Series S are cheaper alternatives to their $500 siblings. However, the consoles aren't analogous. They have their sets of differences and target completely different market demographics. While you can still play a similar library of video games on either console, there are other factors to consider like your total budget and subscription plans.
In this article, we have looked at the two gaming machines in detail and tried to answer which is best. The answer will vary depending on your specific needs, so read on.
PS5 Slim Digital vs Xbox Series S: How do the specs compare?
Both the PlayStation and the Xbox are powered by AMD hardware. They share Zen 2 CPUs with RDNA 2 graphics chips. Hence, the performance detail can be quite comparable.
The Series S is the weaker of the two, however. While both consoles share eight-core CPUs, the main difference lies in the memory and GPU.
The PlayStation is powered by the Oberon Plus graphics chip with 36 Compute Units (CUs). The Series S, on the other hand, is limited to a 100W Lockhart GPU with 20 Compute Units.
Moreover, the PS5 Digital also has 16 GB of GDDR6 memory with 12 GB available for video games and the rest being reserved for extra computational tasks. The Series S, on the other hand, has a total of 12 GB of memory, with 10 GB usable by games.
The detailed specs lists of the consoles are as follows:
PS5 Slim Digital vs Xbox Series S: Which is better for high-resolution gaming?
The PS5 Slim Digital comes off as a clear winner when it comes to high-resolution gaming experiences. The console is more capable and can run all games at 4K without problems.
The Series S, on the other hand, is a 1440p gaming console. It plays more demanding titles at 1080p resolutions. Given its more affordable price tag, this machine targets the entry-level market who don't have the money to dump on a 4K monitor or TV. Such panels can be quite consoles, with the cheapest options starting at $300.
PS5 Slim Digital vs Xbox Series S: How do the prices compare?
Prices are one of the most important metrics to consider. The Series S is the cheaper option among them. The slimline PS5 Digital console is priced at $449. It also supports the Blu-Ray disc drive, which you can purchase for an additional $70 if you want to buy physical copies of games.
The Series S, on the other hand, is available in two editions: one with 512 GB of NVMe storage and another with 1 TB. The former is priced at $299 and repeatedly drops to $275 or lower. The 1 TB version will cost you $349. For most gamers, the 512 GB version is more than enough. You can store three to four games on it easily.
- PS5 Digital 1 TB: $449
- Detachable drive for PS5: $70
- Xbox Series S 512 GB: $299
- Xbox Series S 1 TB: $349
PS5 Slim Digital vs Xbox Series S: Final verdict
If we're looking at gaming experiences, the PS5 Slim Digital comes off as the winner. It is a 4K gaming console with the option to add a disc drive if you don't like to stick to the all-digital format.
However, if you're budget-limited, the Xbox Series S can be a fantastic option. Game Pass beats PS Plus any day and the subscription has enough games to run the console without you needing to spend a dime on video games.