TechRadar. PS4 vs Xbox One: which is better? The definitive showdown between Xbox One and PS4. PS4 vs Xbox One graphics comparison. In this section we'll be comparing the graphical performance of the Xbox One S with the base PS4, as well as comparing the Xbox One X with the PS4 Pro. It's early days when it comes to the 4K consoles, so we'll be keeping this page updated as more and more games are released that support the Xbox One X. Xbox One X vs PS4 Pro graphics comparison. Early evidence suggests the Xbox One X has the edge in terms of both resolution and texture detail However, currently developers aren't making the most out of the Xbox One X, and many games present minimal differences. FIFA 18 does very well on both consoles, with a native 4K video output on both. Despite the differences in the specs of the two machines, there isn't too much to separate the two versions of the game. Digital Foundry's analysis of the two versions suggests that the only real difference is a slightly better draw distance for the grass on the Xbox One X version of the game. We'd be wary about drawing too many conclusions about what this says about the relative capabilities of the two consoles. We'd say this is probably a matter of EA having not quite pushed the X to the limits of what it's capable of. It's a completely different story when it comes to Middle Earth: Shadow of War. Although the game doesn't run at native 4K on either console, it runs at a slightly higher resolution of 1980p on the Xbox One X compared to the PS4 Pro's 1620p. Beyond resolution Digital Foundry notes that there are a number of other improvements present on the Xbox One X version of the game. This version has much better textures thanks to the improved memory bandwidth the hardware offers. The overall result is an image that's much clearer overall on Microsoft's console. The Xbox One X version is also more configurable, with the option to turn its Dynamic Resolution mode on and off. We're not sure why you would, since this negatively impacts framerate in favor of resolution, but it's nice to have the option. Diablo 3 is another game where Digital Foundry has noted the Xbox One X scores another performance win over the PS4 Pro. Both versions are capable of 4K, but the PS4 Pro dynamically scales down dramatically more in outdoor areas. Dynamic scaling is something both consoles do, but it's more of a problem on the PS4 Pro. However, beyond resolution both games come packing exactly the same textures. Overall, the Xbox One X is certainly capable of much better graphics and much greater visual customization than the PS4 Pro thanks to its greater power. Looking at FIFA 18 and Shadow of War together, however, shows that better graphics won’t necessarily be the case across every single game - it’s really down to the developer. That said, the Xbox One X is certainly the more future-proofed option for those interested in getting the best 4K assets. PS4 vs Xbox One S graphics comparison. Games on the original PS4 tend to run at higher resolutions than their Xbox One S counterparts. While the Xbox One X appears to have the edge over the PS4 Pro, it's a different story when it comes to the Xbox One S and PS4. A gameplay video on YouTube of GTA 5 pans between the two next-gen versions of the game with a definitive answer. The base PS4 GPU is able to handle more foliage in environments than the base Xbox One. Yes, you literally have to get into the weeds to see the differences, though both the PS4 and Xbox editions of GTA 5 look stellar compared to their last-gen counterparts. In the Metal Gear Solid 5 comparison, there's slightly more clarity to the PS4 version. Specifically, distant textures and moving objects appear softer among the otherwise identical Xbox One visuals. It's a trend we're seeing from PS4 games that achieve a 1080p resolution at 30 or 60 frames per second when their Xbox One counterparts run at 720p or 900p at 30 or 60fps. This is a trend that's continuing today, with video analysis, such as the one below, indicating that Battlefield 1 runs at a consistently higher resolution on the PS4 than the Xbox One, with both consoles hitting the same variable 60fps frame rate. It's a similar story when it comes to Titanfall 2, which likewise runs at a lower resolution on Xbox One. Overall, the PS4 appears to have the edge on the Xbox One, but both are left in the dust by their more powerful younger siblings. Current page: Graphics comparison. Related news. Tech deals, prizes and latest news. Get the best tech deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable tech news and more! No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission. Samsung Galaxy S9 release date, price, news and rumors. SIM only deals: the best plans in February 2018. AMD Ryzen 2nd generation processors will allow budget gaming without a dedicated graphics card. New Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus renders show phones off in full. Best fitness tracker 2018: the top 10 activity bands on the planet. These five LG phones with bootloop problems entitle some to a big payout. iPhone X was a double-edged sword for Apple's earnings. AMD Ryzen 2nd generation processors will allow budget gaming without a dedicated graphics card. Free Nintendo Switch online play ends September 2018. New Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus renders show phones off in full. TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury , Bath BA1 1UA . All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Xbox One S vs PS4 Pro: Which console is better? PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S: Which console should you get? PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S: We take a look at Sony and Microsoft’s current flagship consoles and see how the specs, features, games and more compare to see which machine is right for you. As well as comparing the two consoles, we’ll also answer plenty of common questions thrown around: PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S: Console Performance. The difference in performance between PS4 Pro and Xbox One S is pretty major, with the former having significantly higher specs while the latter represents a relatively modest upgrade over its predecessor. Xbox One S is essentially the same machine as the 2013 launch model in terms of internal specs. There are minor differences when it comes to performance, although you’re unlikely to notice any discernible changes. PS4 Pro has received minor CPU improvements that have allowed for better performance in some kinds. Project Cars, for example, sees a 38 percent increase in performance with the PS4 Pro Boost Mode enabled. Unfortunately, visual quality remains unchanged. We’ve compiled all of the specs below: However, the Xbox One S is still the best Xbox One on the market. That is, until the Xbox One X launches in just a few weeks. The PS4 Pro is a different beast when compared to the Xbox One S. Its internal components are a big improvement over the original model, as you can see in the above spec list. The newly implemented Boost Mode also allows players to gain extra benefits such as higher framerates across significantly more games, even those lacking a PS4 Pro-specific patch. PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S – Dimensions. The PS4 Pro is quite a bit wider than the Xbox One S, measuring in at 295 x 327 x 55mm where the One S is 229 x 292 x 63.5mm. It’s also longer, but ever so slightly thinner. PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S – Resolution and HDR gaming. Both the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S support HDR (High Dynamic Range). For more on this colourful new feature you can check out our HDR article. The standard PS4 and PS4 Slim also now supports HDR thanks to a post-launch patch. The core difference here isn’t HDR, but instead resolution: the PS4 Pro has the ability to output games at a resolution higher than Full HD. Since release we have seen certain titles render at a native 4K resolution while others settle for an upscaled alternative. Several developers are aiming for something “close to 4K resolution” with all future projects. Sign up for the newsletter. Get news, competitions and special offers direct to your inbox. Whatever the elevated resolution is then be upscaled to 4K. If you’re playing in Full HD, you’ll end up with smoother anti-aliasing, meaning the divisions between objects on screen will be much smoother than on the regular PS4. Many of the PS4 Pro supported titles use a 4K “checkerboard” rendering technique that subsequently improves textures and specular effects, making for a cleaner, crisper overall image without putting out a native 4K resolution. Developers are also free to take advantage of the additional power of the Pro however they see fit. In the instance of the recent, excellent Nioh, players were given the choice whether to play the game with a higher resolution or framerate with multiple settings, much like PC players enjoy. The Xbox One S only upscales games to 4K with no enhancements aside from HDR, as mentioned above. PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S – Boost Mode vs Ultra HD Blu-Ray. Features-wise, the two are very similar, but there’s one key differentiator that gives the Xbox One S a massive boost, and that’s its Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Incredibly, despite owning the UHD Blu-ray standard, Sony has chosen not to include the technology in its flagship console. 4K streaming is supported on YouTube and Netflix for both consoles, with more services on the way. When it first launched the PS4 Pro was only capable of improving visuals and performance on titles officially patched by developers. However, this all changed with the arrival of Boost Mode, a new feature introduced in the PS4’s 4.50 firmware update. When activated from the settings menu, this feature will improve performance of all PS4 titles, regardless if they’ve been patched or not. Of course, the results are mixed. We’ll discover more about this new feature as it emerges from beta testing in the near future, along with which games best benefit from the rewards of Boost Mode. View now: PS4 Pro at Amazon. PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S – What games can I play on it? Both the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S support all existing games, whether they be physical or digital. Those wishing to upgrade don’t need to worry about re-purchasing their entire library. In terms of games with visual benefits, specific games have been upgraded for both systems to support HDR content, with PS4 Pro being the only one to benefit from higher resolutions at the time of writing. We’ve compiled some specific games for each system below, including some of the things you can expect. Resident Evil 7 – Capcom’s latest survival horror masterpiece benefits hugely from HDR. The virtual reality experience is also enhanced by PS4 Pro with enhanced visuals on PlayStation VR. The Last Guardian – Having launched with support for 4K and 1080p performance modes, Team Ico’s latest effort is a sight to behold. HDR is also supported on the standard PS4. The Last of Us Remastered – Naughty Dog’s modern classic is a great showpiece for HDR. It also supports 4K at 60fps, which is nothing to sniff at. Hitman – HDR support is absent, although both performance and textures are boosted on PS4 Pro. Rise of the Tomb Raider – One of the shining examples of PS4 Pro upgrades. Crystal Dynamics has implemented visual improvements in both 4K and 1080p for Pro owners. Battlefield 1 – The framerate across epic multiplayer battles receives a huge boost thanks to PS4 Pro, helped further by additional terrain detail on each map. Gears of War 4 – Acting as the pioneering example of HDR on Xbox One S, Gears of War 4 was the first of a few select titles to support the feature. Forza Horizon 3 – Heralded as one of 2016’s best racers, Horizon 3 looks even better with a healthy dose of HDR on Xbox One S. Final Fantasy 15 – It turns out HDR is just what Noctis and friends needed, adding an extra helping of colour to the JRPG’s gorgeous open world. ReCore – It may have felt somewhat unfinished and underwhelming, but ReCore was a gorgeous sight to behold at times. The sandy environments are made even better with HDR enabled. We’ll be updating this list as new titles are added, so be sure to check back. PS4 Pro vs Xbox One S – Conclusion. The Xbox One S and PS4 Pro are two very different consoles. It’s clear Microsoft has focused on delivering 4K video content, while Sony has tried its best to produce a more powerful console designed with gaming in mind. The upcoming Boost Mode feature is bound to sway a lot of consumers looking for a genuine difference between the Pro and original PS4. Which of these consoles is best for you can differ depending on your love for fancy visuals, top notch games or 4K video content. If you haven’t found yourself wishing for higher framerates and crisper visuals on your current console than upgrading might not be the right choice, especially if you’re yet to invest in a 4K display. You could also wait for the Xbox One X, which is just a few weeks away from launch, but costs more than both consoles. Which console will you be buying? Let us know in the comments below. TechRadar. PS4 vs Xbox One: which is better? The definitive showdown between Xbox One and PS4. The Xbox One vs PS4 comparison is more important in 2017 than ever because both consoles are infinitely more powerful than the previous generation and both Sony and Microsoft tout their hardware as the absolute best. Who's right? Well, currently, there are two separate versions of both console: Sony has PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim, while Microsoft has the Xbox One X and Xbox One S. The PS4 Pro and Xbox One X represent the high-end 4K gaming, with the PS4 Slim and Xbox One S are a much better value for gamers with HD TVs. Microsoft has the lead in the 4K gaming sphere with the powerful Xbox One X - a system that's capable of playing games in native 4K resolution. The PS4 Pro, on the other hand, is only capable of upscaling games to 4K but has the advantage of having a stronger stable of first-party exclusive games. The PS4 vs Xbox One comparison all starts with the price and bundles. PS4 vs Xbox One price comparison. The PS4 and Xbox One prices seem to change by the week, with price drops and bundle deals coming and going faster than handheld PlayStation systems. While all these bundles are great for consumers, it can be hard to keep up with the latest pricing info. So, in an effort to cut through the noise, here are the latest prices and bundles for each console. The Xbox One X is clearly the newest console with few discount available, while the PS4 Pro is now a year old, as of this month. It's seeing more discounts and gives you a bit more power than the PS4 Slim while still staying at a reasonable price. If you want to dial back the cost of either console, check out the latest prices for the Xbox One S and PS4 Slim. Additional reading. Want to compare the slim consoles? Check out our guide to the PS4 Slim vs the Xbox One S. Want to compare 4K apples-to-4K apples? Our PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X guide will give you just that. Look, we can sit here and mete out the differences between each iteration of the consoles, but we really don’t want to be here all day – so, instead we’re going to compare the entire ecosystem of each platform. If you want to really look into the fine details, we have you covered below. Don’t worry. And, don’t forget that Black Friday is coming soon, which you can bet will entail lots of deals on both consoles. PS4 vs Xbox One sales. Both Sony and Microsoft have approached this generation completely differently – with Sony focusing entirely on games, and Microsoft focusing more on having the Xbox One as more of an all-around home theater device. Sony took an early lead this generation, and has currently sold an astounding 70 million PS4s over the last 4 years – more than doubling Microsoft’s 30 million sales. A pretty big part of the reason that Sony dominated Microsoft was that focus that we mentioned earlier. They put all of their attention on building a great game library – and it’s paid off. Don’t write Microsoft off though, 30 million units is nothing to shake your head at, and with the recent release of the Xbox One X, they stand a pretty good chance of closing a bit of that gap. Hardware Versions and Design. Both consoles are available in two different versions, one budget and one premium The PS4 has a slim version and a 4K PS4 Pro The Xbox has the Xbox One S and Xbox One X. Both the Xbox One and the PS4 have two separate hardware versions that you can buy right now. This is different than in the past, when each console existed on its own, and lasted an entire generation. The Xbox One S improved on the design of the original Xbox One by cutting down a lot of the heft, and removing the gigantic power brick – instead opting for an internal power supply. It measures at just 11.6 x 8.9 x 2.5 inches and unlike the previous version includes a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray player and can even upscale 1080p games to 4K, as long as you have a TV that can support it. The Xbox One X might be heftier than the Xbox One S, but it’s still considerably smaller than the original Xbox One, measuring in at 11.81 x 9.44 x 2.36 inches and weighing around 8.4 lbs and also opted for an internal power supply. This is the high-powered version of the Xbox One, that allows for native 4K gaming and, much like the Xbox One S, includes a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray player, something that not even the PS4 Pro can boast. Our guide to the Xbox One X vs Xbox One S vs Xbox One will clue you in as to the differences in the Xbox family. Then starting out the PS4 side of the equation, the PS4 Slim is straight up the smallest of the major consoles available right now, measuring in at 10.4 x 11.3 x 1.5 inches and serving as the baseline PS4 for most consumers, serving as a complete replacement for the original PS4. It doesn’t allow for even 4K video playback, but it can still play the entire killer PS4 game library. The PS4 was the original 4K console, coming out an entire year before the Xbox One X – even if the ‘X’ eventually outpowered it. It measures in at 12.8 x 11.6 x 2.1 inches. While the PS4 Pro does to at least some extent support native 4K gaming, it doesn’t include a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-Ray Player, an omission that has caught Sony some flak over the last year or so. Our guide to the PS4 Slim vs PS4 Pro outlines the differences between the consoles in more detail. Xbox One vs PS4 connectivity. You can't upgrade Xbox One's internal hard drive, but you can on the PS4. Both consoles support the use of external hard drives. The Xbox One has more ports on its rear. Depending on how your gaming setup is organised, the connectivity of your console could be an extremely important detail. Both the Xbox One S and X have identical ports, each including two HDMI ports, one for receiving an input from a cable or satellite box, and one that inputs to your TV. On top of those, they’ve each got two USB 3 ports, IR outputs, optical audio out, Ethernet ports and, of course, the power cable – which is compatible with both versions of the Xbox. However, due to the quick and tragic downfall of Kinect, if you want to use a Kinect with either version of the Xbox One you’ll have to go out and get an adapter. The PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim have similar inputs, although they are slightly different. Each has a single HDMI out, a single USB port in the back (two in the front), an Ethernet port, and power. The only difference between the Pro and the Slim is that the Pro has an Optical Audio out, while the Slim drops it. One of the most compelling things about the connectivity of the PS4, however, is that both versions allow users to swap out the internal hard drive with one of their choice. All versions of both the Xbox One and PS4 support 802.11 ac Wi-Fi and gigabit Ethernet. So no matter which console you decide on, you won’t have to worry about network compatibility. PS4 and Xbox One are void of remarkable characteristics on the front. There's a Blu-ray/DVD combo drive to the left (which can play Ultra HD Blu-rays on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X) and their respective, muted-color logos to the right. PS4 has a pair of USB ports tucked between its sandwich-like halves next to where the disc drive is located. The best PS4 prices and bundles. Now that we've taken you through the positives and negatives of each console you've probably got a good idea of which is the one for you. Fortunately, we're not going to leave you hanging there – over the next couple of pages you'll find the best deals available for each console to help you take your decision to its final destination. Decided that the PS4 and Sony's attractive exclusives are perfect for you? Below you'll find the best PlayStation 4 deals you can get at the moment. The best Xbox One prices and bundles. Is it the Xbox One that's won you over? We understand, that 4K Blu-ray player is hard to resist. There are some fantastic deals on the latest model of Microsoft's consoles and below you'll find the latest and greatest: Check out our guide to the best soundbars if you want to give your console's audio a boost. Current page: Introduction and design. Related news. Tech deals, prizes and latest news. Get the best tech deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable tech news and more! No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission. Samsung Galaxy S9 release date, price, news and rumors. SIM only deals: the best plans in February 2018. AMD Ryzen 2nd generation processors will allow budget gaming without a dedicated graphics card. New Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus renders show phones off in full. Best fitness tracker 2018: the top 10 activity bands on the planet. These five LG phones with bootloop problems entitle some to a big payout. iPhone X was a double-edged sword for Apple's earnings. AMD Ryzen 2nd generation processors will allow budget gaming without a dedicated graphics card. Free Nintendo Switch online play ends September 2018. New Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus renders show phones off in full. TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury , Bath BA1 1UA . All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. PS4 vs Xbox One: Which console is the best? Xbox One vs PS4: We examine Microsoft and Sony’s consoles and see how the price, specs, features, games, accessories and more compare to see which console you should buy. 2017 has been a huge year for console gamers, with hardware taking a huge leap forward, particularly in the Xbox family. Last year we saw the launch of the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S, two new hardware iterations that improved upon the 2013 originals with a range of cool new features. The PS4 Pro is a solid upgrade over the PS4, capable of upscaling specific games to 4K using a sophisticated checker-boarding technique. It can also enhance performance using the newly implemented Boost Mode with increased frame rates across multiple titles. Xbox One S, on the other hand, is a smaller, more refined machine complete with a 4K Blu-ray player and HDR support. These are impressive machines, yet both may pale in comparison to Xbox One X. The arrival of the Xbox One S changes the game somewhat. It’s essentially the machine the Xbox One should have been at launch. It’s smaller, more attractive and comes with some serious benefits, such as 4K video playback, support for HDR TVs. There are plenty of reasons to pick up either console depending on your personal preferences. PS4 tends to offer superior performance over Xbox One when it comes to third-party games. Xbox One owners have access to a library of IP not found anywhere else. Halo, Gears of War, Forza and more will forever be at home on Microsoft’s system. Sony has its own set of exclusive games which won’t be available on the Xbox One. Uncharted, Gran Turismo Sport, God of War, Death Stranding, Persona 5, Street Fighter V and The Last Guardian to name just a few. Based on Windows 10, Xbox One’s unique interface – which aims to bring together a multitude of media connections into a single channel – is also worth taking into account if you want a console which is the centre of your entertainment world. In this article we will explore the price differences, exclusive games, design and the all-important controllers. PS4 vs Xbox One Price: How much do they cost? These days, it’s easy to find both consoles at a bargain price bundled with a couple of games and a sizeable hard drive. The Xbox One has been discontinued, but some retailers will still sell the older hardware to shift stock. But the Xbox One S, thanks to the launch of the One X, is now available for incredibly cheap prices for decent bundles. It’s quite possible to get a One S and a game or two for just £200. Also if you’d like to expand the storage capacity, Xbox One consoles support the use of external hard drives which are available for good prices too. Sign up for the newsletter. Get news, competitions and special offers direct to your inbox. PS4 Slim, which is now the standard model going forward, retails for £249 with a 500GB hard drive as standard. As is the case with Xbox One, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding bundles that throw in a couple of games. Larger memory variants can also be found, or you could upgrade the PS4 hard drive yourself. View now: PS4 Slim at Amazon. PS4 Pro is a little more pricey, currently sitting at £349 with a 1TB hard drive. The console itself is twice as powerful, so a £100 premium isn’t bad at all. Unfortunately, stock at most retailers has been intermittent at best since launch, so you might need to shop around. Xbox One S is naturally more expensive than the original model, with the limited edition 2TB version (now entirely sold out, according to Microsoft) costing £349.99. The 500GB and 1TB models are noticeably cheaper, costing £249.99 and £299.99 respectively. PS4 vs Xbox One: Specs. When comparing all four consoles there are plenty of differences to take into account. To make things easier, we’ve compiled them into a single table: PS4 vs Xbox One: Dimensions. We could go into the ins and out of the differences between the designs of the PS4 and Xbox One, but if you’re the type of person that loves a snazzy looking piece of kit on your shelf, here’s what you need to know: The original Xbox One is a lot larger than the PS4, measuring up at 7.9 x 27.4 x 33.3cm compared to the PS4’s 5.3 x 27.5 x 30.5cm dimensions. PS4 vs Xbox One – Controllers. Before we go into any major detail, check out the two controllers in all their splendour below: Both bear the genetic material of their forebears, but the DualShock 4 feels like more of a change. Microsoft has stuck with what worked so well in the Xbox 360 controller, and as such the Xbox One pad is more of a tweak than a full redesign. There are two main changes. The Xbox One pad has rumble motors built into the triggers to give greater feedback when, for example, shooting guns. But those rumble triggers easily make the Xbox One the better console to play racing games on – sorry, DriveClub and Gran Turismo Sport. Microsoft has also made huge improvements to the D-pad. The mushy Xbox 360 D-pad has been switched for one more clicky and responsive, and already works wonders on the likes of Killer Instinct and Mortal Kombat X. Sadly, the Xbox One controller still requires a pair of AA batteries as standard, rather than being rechargeable like the PS4’s DualShock 4. You’ll probably want to buy the Play and Charge kit separately for each controller for £19 a go. However, if you do stick to AA batteries, you’ll definitely see your Xbox One controller pack a longer play time than the PS4 controller, which requires regular charging via micro-usb. The DualShock 4’s changes are more marked. It’s chunkier than the previous DualShock controllers and a lot heavier too, giving a firmer feel than the last-gen DualShock 3 pad. After all that, have we really found a victor? Not as such. If you loved the Xbox 360 pad, you’ll probably prefer the Xbox One controller. However, the DualShock 4 has a robust feel that previous PlayStation pads simply haven’t had. There’s also the Xbox One Elite Controller to consider, which is available now – albeit in limited quantities. If you’re willing to pay the staggering £120 you can get yourself this customisable controller. It’s just perfect for those looking to get a more professional gaming experience from a pad. Swappable D-pad and analogue sticks, Hair Trigger Locks, interchangeable rear paddles and a rubberised diamond grip and customisable inputs thanks to a companion app for Xbox One and PC; you pretty much couldn’t want any more from a controller. To make your purchasing choice even more difficult, it’s worth mentioning that the revised Xbox One S controller brings improvements to the table, too. It boasts a new textured grip, swappable covers, an extended operational range and Bluetooth built-in, which means you can use it with your PC. PS4 vs Xbox One – Exclusive Games. Each console has amassed a hugely impressive library of games since November 2013, many of which you can’t play anywhere else. The best selection is down to your personal taste, with each company hosting a variety of essential first-party talent. We’ve put together some of our favourites below, all of which are worth checking out. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Nathan Drake’s swansong is an utterly captivating adventure that tells a heartfelt story while thrusting you through a series of explosive set-pieces. The Last of Us Remastered – Yet another masterpiece by Naughty Dog, Joel and Ellie’s post-apocalyptic tale sets a new benchmark in gaming storytelling that isn’t to be missed. The Last Guardian – After ten years of waiting The Last Guardian is finally here. Team Ico’s latest effort is a beautiful tale of companionship propelled by its mystifying world. Bloodborne – This could be From Software’s finest work yet, transcending the masterful Dark Souls with a dark, gothic setting and truly brutal combat. Yakuza 0 – This hugely underrated series features varied combat, hysterical minigames and a genuinely compelling narrative based on the Japanese Mafia. Ratchet and Clank – Acting as a complete remake of the original platformer, this is easily one of the best-looking titles on PS4. It’s also a lot of fun! Best Xbox One exclusives. Gears of War 4 – Marcus Fenix is back with all new characters and enemies in Gears 4. The gruesome mixture of cover-based movement and melodic shooting is arguably better than ever. Halo 5: Guardians – 343 Industries has done an excellent job with The Reclaimer Trilogy thus far, with Guardians acting as solid middle chapter in Master Chief’s journey. Ori and the Blind Forest – This gorgeous platformer will make you cry like a baby and scream in frustration with its touching story and challenging gameplay. Rare Replay – Compiling over 30 games from the legendary developer, Rare Replay is a nostalgic trip well worth taking. I mean, who can say no to Viva Pinata? Forza Horizon 3 – One of the finest racers of this generation, Horizon 3 is absolutely packed with hundreds of cars, events and a blistering open world to explore. Quantum Break – This time travelling shooter boasts some commendable star power alongside its range of time-bending abilities. PS4 vs Xbox One – Conclusion. PS4 is a multi-faceted console with plenty of unique features and a bustling library of worthwhile exclusives. Players looking for expansive JRPGs and niche experiences will find so much to love PS4, as well as gaining the upper hand in performance with the majority of third-party titles. PS4 Pro has come into its own since its release, offering benefits beyond its 4K upscaling with its newly introduced Boost Mode. PlayStation VR is the cherry-on-top for PS4 owners, so long as you’re willing to invest in the fancy new peripheral. Xbox One is also a brilliant option to consider, boasting the likes of Halo, Forza and Gears of War under its blockbuster umbrella. Ever since Phil Spencer took charge of the brand we’ve seen the focus shift towards games, despite the cancellation of high-profile exclusives like Scalebound. You also have Xbox Play Anywhere, a service that gives you 2 digital games for the price of one across Xbox One and Windows 10. The recent release of Xbox One S will more than certainly keep us entertained until the arrival of Project Scorpio later this year. Xbox One vs. PS4: How to choose the best game console for you. The time to buy a new video game console is now. Here's a quick guide of everything you need to know before pulling the trigger on an Xbox One or PlayStation 4. The time to buy an Xbox One or PlayStation 4 is now. Both consoles are competitively priced and there's finally a solid collection of excellent games to play on either system. Holiday pricing has either console at around $300, but odds are you can get one any time for no more than $350 with a bundled game or two. So which console is right for you? That's not an easy question to answer and a lot of it will depend on your personal preference. That said, here's a bunch of details you should know that will ensure you'll be able to make an educated decision when the time is right (which, if you've been paying attention, is right now). PS4 exclusive "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" Exclusives. This part is easy. Take a look and consider each console's list of exclusive games and see which appeals most to you. Are you a Halo, Gears of War and Forza Motorsport type of player? Well then, the Xbox One is your console. More of a fan of Uncharted and games like The Last Guardian and Bloodborne? Then PS4 is the way to go. It's worth noting that the PS4 offers many more independent games compared with the Xbox One's library, so if that's a sticking point PS4 will have you covered. Xbox One isn't totally devoid of indie titles, it's just not as fleshed out at the moment. What about your friends? This may seem like a no-brainer, but find out which consoles your friends are playing. If online gaming is important to you and you want to enjoy that with friends, this is quite the important detail to consider. Legacy support and backward compatibility. Xbox One offers limited backward compatibility with a selection of games (which is promised to grow) as long as you own the original disc. You can also download legacy 360 titles through Xbox Live as well. PS4 offers PlayStation Now, a subscription streaming service that has improved since its launch in addition to PS2 emulation support that is slowly trickling out. The new Xbox One experience. Overall experience. Last generation I was partial to the Xbox 360, but this time around I lean toward the PS4. Here's why: Multiplatform games tend to perform better on the PS4 and installation time for games is noticeably quicker. Capturing footage, screenshots and sharing these items is more seamless on the PS4. I also like the PS4's interface over the Xbox One's, even though Microsoft has recently revamped its console's dashboard for the better. Long story short, I find PS4 easier to use. The Xbox One offers more streaming multimedia apps than the PS4, but the big ones like Netflix, Amazon and HBO Go are available on both platforms. There's a lot of the same. The Venn diagram representing PS4 versus Xbox One has tons of overlap. Both consoles play the vast majority of games out there, so choosing one over the other won't block you out of a lot of content. They both play Blu-rays and DVDs as well as media files off a home network or USB stick. The Xbox One lets you expand storage via an external USB drive, while the PS4's internal drive can be completely swapped out. Both consoles have great controllers, too, both significantly improved over their predecessors. The alternatives. The Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 aren't the only games in town. Let's not forget about Nintendo's Wii U. It's not necessarily in the same conversation as the Xbox One and PS4 when it comes to breadth of content and horsepower, but 2015 was a great year for the platform. Wii U games tend to serve a younger demographic, so it's worth considering if children make up the primary audience. That said, the company is hard at work at a new platform code-named NX that may start to surface in 2016. Then there's the PC. PC gaming makes up a huge chunk of the industry and can provide the best overall experience if you've got the right hardware. Where consoles stay static for their entire life cycle, a PC can be upgraded and refined. If you're willing to spend a bit more than what consoles go for, you can vastly improve your gaming experience with a middle-of-the-road PC. There's also the Steam Machines (or Steamboxes), a PC wrapped up to resemble a console, but runs either Windows or Steam OS, (made by Valve, the company behind the world's most popular PC game marketplace, Steam). We don't tend to recommend these devices because of their hardware limitations, but it's also another option to consider. Valve's PC gaming distribution platform, Steam, is incredibly popular. The best consumer is an educated one. Read our PlayStation 4 and Xbox One reviews and check out the list of exclusive games for each console. If you're really in a bind, reach out to me on Twitter and we'll see if we can get you sorted out. Share your voice. Be respectful, keep it clean and stay on topic. We'll remove comments that violate our policy. Life Could Exist in Other Universes with Different Physical Laws. Capture Ultimate Slow-Mo Videos With New High-Speed Camera. Altered Carbon is the Pulp Cyberpunk Revival We Need. Canadian Oil Producer Rolling Out 150 Driverless Trucks. Facebook Twitter About Contact Newsletters Archive Glossary Advertise More From Ziff Davis: PCMag Computer Shopper ExtremeTech AskMen Everyday Health IGN Offers.com Speedtest.net TechBargains Toolbox What to Expect Privacy Policy Terms of Use Advertise Accessibility Statement. Geek.com is among the federally registered trademarks of. Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. We have updated our PRIVACY POLICY and encourage you to read it by clicking here.

What console is better xbox one or ps4

Still have a question? Ask your own! I prefer the Xbox One controller. More comfortable in my hands and the stick placement is far superior to me. The PS4 controller has advanced much more this generation while I feel that the Xbox One controller lost the usability of the bumpers when compared to the Xbox 360 controller, but it is so superior ergonomically for the way that I hold a controller that I still prefer the Xbox One controller. Anyway, here’s a more detailed comparison according to my experience using both controllers: The placement on the Xbox One controller is the same as it’s always been since the original Xbox - the sticks are offset, with the left stick located in the upper left, as the main controlling input and the right stick located at the lower right. This location makes the sticks very comfortable for my hands. The placement on the PS4 controller is the same as it’s always been since the original Dual Shock on the PSOne: low in the middle of the controller, both sticks parallel to each other. Most people don’t seem to mind, but I have always considered it an ergonomic nightmare. My hands feel cramped when I play games that use both sticks and even though Sony has used this design for so many years, I just can’t get used to it. The construction and feel of the sticks is pretty much perfect on the Xbox One controller. They’re firm and sturdy. I’ve had my Xbox One for 3 years and the sticks are still in pristine condition. I don’t really need the texture that supposedly improves the grip but some folks seem to think that’s an upgrade. I’m indifferent to it. The sticks on the PS4 controller are a better design than on the PS3 controller, but still not as good as the Xbox One sticks. They feel a little looser to me (granted, I only have 2 PS4 controllers as opposed to 4 Xbox One controllers so there’s less for me to compare there) but they’re still much better than the typical third-party controller. Unfortunately, the construction is not as high quality as on the Xbox One joysticks. After three years, one my PS4 controllers started to show wear on the top of the stick and I had to buy a cover for it. It was a cheap fix, but I don’t think that should have happened, especially because I use my PS4 a lot less than my Xbox Ones (I actually own two of them: one on the living room TV and another on my office). The Xbox One controller wins here. There is little to discuss here. While the Xbox One controller has a better D-Pad than the Xbox 360 controller, it is still a sub-par D-Pad. It takes too much pressure for presses to register and it is all around painful to use. Bad Microsoft! The only redeeming quality on the Xbox One’s D-Pad is the placement. Modern games use the D-Pad as a secondary input, usually to switch weapons or items and thus its placement is spot-on. The PS4 controller D-Pad is a dream. It still looks funky because of the Playstation weird sectioned off D-Pad design, but it registers presses accurately and without much of an issue. If I were to play a fighting game with the stock controller, the PS4 D-Pad wins hands-down. No contest here. The only problem that I have with the PS4 D-Pad is the placement. It sits up as the primary input of the PS4 controller and the truth is that most modern games don’t use the D-Pad enough to give it main input location. However, if maybe Sony wanted to highlight what is possibly the controller’s best feature, it makes sense to place it were it is from that point of view. The PS4 controller wins here. Not much to say here. Both controllers have very good face buttons and I can’t honestly say which is better on this category. Both controllers even have them located in pretty much the same spot as far as their ergonomics go. It’s a tie. The Xbox One controller has horribly stiff bumper buttons. There, I said it. I thought the Xbox 360 had great bumper buttons. Easy to press, smooth, nice location. Pretty much ideal. Some idiot at Microsoft apparently thought that they were too good, so they had to Vistafy them. They look prettier now, all glossy in a separate plastic shell than the controller face but they are stiff. They are not unresponsive; you can tell when you pressed them and that press certainly registers; they’re just uncomfortable to press. They’re nice and shiny though. Like Vista when compared to XP. Way to miss the bus Microsoft. The PS4 controller has much, much nicer bumper buttons (known as L1 and R1 in Playstation lingo) than the Xbox One controller. They’re nice and smooth to press, as usual in a Playstation controller. The PS4 trounces the Xbox One controller here. No contest. I prefer the Xbox One’s analogue triggers. They are the same they’ve always been in the Xbox line, except for a slight side angle to make them more welcoming to index finger grip. They have nice travel and they’re very accurate when you need the sensitivity for driving games and just don’t need a simple fire trigger. I really enjoy the vibration motors in them as they really enhance the experience when playing driving games (I am a big Forza fan and all Xbox One Forza games are pretty much showcases for the analogue triggers). Sony has seriously stepped up their game in their triggers. What used to be one of the weakest part of their controllers is now a very good input. I still prefer the Xbox One’s triggers, but I can no longer say that the Playstation’s are crap. They are actually very, very good now. Just not as good as the Xbox One’s, but getting there. As a pet peeve, I really dislike the gap that forms when you depress the triggers. Sony needs to fix that. The Xbox One controller wins but a small hair. Bells and Whistles. The Xbox One controller is fairly bare bones. Besides the vibrating analogue triggers (which Microsoft calls “Impulse Triggers”), the Xbox One controller doesn’t really add that much. Yes, it seems to have no wireless lag, but I can’t say that’s an issue with the PS4 controller so the fact that it uses WiFi Direct as a connection protocol seems more of a marketing ploy to me than a real improvement. Early Xbox One controllers lacked a standard 3.5mm plug so that was a bad design decision. It’s been fixed, but you don’t have that feature if you own an old controller (like I do). New Xbox One controllers also support Bluetooth but again, you don’t have that feature if you own an old controller. At least you can now charge the rechargeable batteries with any micro-USB cord instead of needing a weird cable but that’s not a feature, it’s an improvement over a bad design decision on the Xbox 360 controller. It also lacks internal batteries, which I like. That means that if the battery is dying then I just need to replace that and not the entire controller. I use Microsoft rechargeable batteries on two of my controllers and AA Eneloops on my other two. Choices are great. The Xbox One controller is really good at going to sleep on its own and saving battery life. This seems silly, but it’s important when you consider how awful the PS4 controller is on batteries precisely because it won’t go to sleep! The PS4 controller seems like an amazing controller in this area until you realize that these bells and whistles don’t really mean much because developers aren’t using them. The PS4 controller has a huge touch strip that runs through the middle of the controller that can also be pressed as a button. Most games I own just use this as a huge extra button, taking no advantage of the touch functionality so that’s disappointing. More games need to get on that for the menus and other mechanics! The less said about the light bar the better. For the longest time you couldn’t turn that thing off and it emitted a glow that reflected on the TV screen and just distracted the heck out of me. That glow probably contributed to the poor battery life on the controller which seems to take forever to go to sleep if you have to suddenly leave your game in pause but didn’t have the time to hold the PS button down and choose the turn off controller option. This sounds silly, but sometimes adults need to leave the game paused in a hurry to take care of something and in the case of the Xbox One, the controller turns off and it has battery left. In the case of the PS4, the controller stays on with the light bar eating up the batteries. In theory, the PS4 controller should win this category with ease. Unfortunately, developers aren’t being quite so interesting at the use of the touch strip and poor battery optimizations make it stumble. I call this a tie. I need to get the deal with the PS4 controllers and its odd cylindrical grips out of the way first. They are not natural. They are not ergonomic. They are slightly better than the grips in the PS3 controller, but Sony has a long way to go here. There is some slight texture on them, but it’s not to my liking. Bad Sony! The grips on the Xbox One controller are a dream. They’re nice and beefy, making the controller comfortable to hold. I can see how they could be an issue if you have smaller hands though. The placement of the analogue sticks are far more intuitive and comfortable to me on the Xbox One controller than on the PS4 controller. My hands feel cramped on Sony’s controller. Oh, it is an improvement over the PS3 controller, but Sony still has a ways to go. The placement of the Share and Options button on the PS4 controller is awkward for me. I guess that’s why many games opt to use the touchstrip as a huge button. It’s just tough to find these buttons without looking at the controller and they are tough to find by touch. The View and Menu buttons on the Xbox One controller are in the same spot as they Back and Play buttons were on the Xbox 360 controller. Make no mistake, they are not easy to find if you are not used to the Xbox ergonomics, but they are easier to use than the PS4’s Share and Options buttons. For me, the Xbox One controller wins here. I can see how someone with smaller hands may prefer the PS4 controller though. It’s interesting because I think that Sony improved far more than Microsoft did this generation. In fact, for the most part, Sony went ahead and gave us a much better controller than they ever have. Very good job on their part! Microsoft seems to have taken a few steps back. They added Impulse Triggers and improved the grip on the analogue sticks, but they messed up the bumper buttons! They are horribly designed this generation. Incremental updates such as the 3.5mm plug and Bluetooth are welcome, but they don’t benefit old models of the controller. I guess that at the end, my preference for the Xbox One controller isn’t so much that Microsoft did a wonderful job with it, but more like they lucked out with a truly comfortable and iconic design with the Xbox 360 controller, so as much as they tried to Vistafy the Xbox One controller, the base was too good for them to end up with a bad controller. In fact, they ended up with the controller that I prefer, but I am concerned for future revisions if they continue on this pattern. The Xbox One controller wins for me, but it’s a close race. I can certainly understand people who prefer the PS4 contrroller. Controller choices usually come down to personal preferences. I am a big PS4 fan but Xbox has better controllers in my opinion. And I am not talking about the stock ones. I am talking about alternate solutions. I know that this one won’t fall into a lot of budgets but the Razer Wolverine Ultimate is probably one of the best controllers I have ever played with. The controller is very light and easy to handle. All the buttons are in the right place and Razer really did an incredible job with this thing. The price will be a big issue for most people but if you have the budget then don’t think twice. Razer equipment is simply the best choice for gaming. Always. You can read an in-depth review here if you want more info on it. This is a tough question, and before I go on, you should know that regardless of which controller is arguably objectively better, controller preference is entirely subjective. That said, let's break down the main features each one has. It's more comfortable for adult hands. It's designed in ways that maximize grip. Don't believe me? Well, if you close your hands, are they a perfect cylinder? No, right? Well then why does the Dualshock use two cylinders as grips? Controller quality. The XBOX One controller is made of higher quality materials, engineered more solidly, and is truly more durable. Don't believe me? Try to tear or damage the XBOX One controllers joystick. Good luck. Now try NOT to tear the Dualshock 4's joysticks. Good luck. "Force feedback triggers". Now, this is bullshit, because it's been proven that there is no such force feedback for gunshots or anything like we all originally wanted/expected. Instead, there are two extra vibration motors in the controller. These aren't what was initially promised, but it's still nice. The light bar. This is a mixed bag, but being able to track the controller and depth is awesome! Having terrible glare on the screen is not. This was almost totally mitigated by the last patch, however, as you can now turn the light bar off. D-Pad. Yes, Microsoft spent a ton of money making and awesome new D-Pad, and yeah it's better than the 360. But Sony still kills it with the D-Pad. Kids. The Dualshock, since it's inception, has been designed for people with generally smaller hands. Yes, people with big hands probably won't like it, however, I argue those with bigger hands can make do. Children have always had issues with XBOX controllers, going back to the original XBOX and the duke. Standards. Sony has a lot of proprietary bullshit, but their controllers are awesome. Micro-USB charging, standard headphone port, standard Bluetooth, etc. These things make their controller better for PC's than Microsofts own solutions. It's absolutely embarrassing that Dualshock 3's and 4's work better with PC's than Microsofts controllers do(excluding a wired 360 controller). Triggers. The Dualshock 4 has trigger that are more comfortable and easier to use, namely the L2 and R2 for shooting and racing, however, the main reason is the L1 and R1. On the XBOX One controller, the LB and RB are above a little ridge that takes some gymnastics of the phalanges to access. It absolutely defeats the original ease of access that the 360 bumpers had that the Dualshock couldn't match. They aren't even "bumpers" anymore because you can't just bump upwards, they're are straight buttons now. Home button. This button is used more and more these days, and the one on the XBOX is out of reach. I'll argue that the Dualshock 4's is in a spot that may be easy to hit accidentally, but I'd argue that it's much more annoying reaching for the XBOX One's home button every time than the one or two times I've hit the Dualshock 4's accidentally. There are other, smaller things that swing people one way or another, but I still maintain that as far as logical points go, the Dualshock 4 is better. The main issue is that people consider comfort the main feature they want in a controller, and the XBOX One wins there, even though the Dualshock 4 is no slouch. The biggest issue really comes down to the fact that the Playstation 4 is an amazing console, and the biggest complaint about it is the controller, while the XBOX One has an absolutely great controller, however, that's unfortunately the best thing about their console. Since I posted this a few things changed(ignoring Pro controllers): Sony greatly improved the quality of the Dualshock 4 joysticks and tearing seemed to stop being a problem a couple of years ago. Both controllers are now, as far as I would say, equally robust in quality. The light bar on the Dualshock allows it to be tracked in space in PSVR, which is a huge bonus for the platform, and yes, it can be disabled. The new models of XBOX One made in the second half of 2016 or newer support bluetooth. Most XBOX One controllers in the world don’t have it, but it’s good Microsoft finally made their controllers usable with their computers without having to buy an additional accessory. This model is also exclusively compatible with the Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus. Models of the XBOX One controller after some time in 2015 have a standard headphone jack, which is awesome. DualShock 4’s Share Button is WAY more useful than anyone originally thought. But this thing is fantastic. The touchpad on the DualShock 4 is awesome while web browsing and it’s a cool gimmick in games. That said, I think most people could take it or leave it. The XBOX One controllers definitely have better battery life, and the ability to swap the batteries is great. The XBOX One controller has gone UP in price. You can the version they’re selling now at $60 while the DualShock 4 has dropped to $40. The DualShock 4 is now officially supported in Steam, with automatic button mappings. You can now design your own XBOX One controller of any color for $80. So, due to all the changes, I have to say both controllers are pretty much on par(unless you’re doing VR, in which case the DualShock 4 is the clear winner), if not maybe the XBOX One controller is slightly edging out the win, due to exclusivity deals with Oculus for the Gear VR amongst the other features listed. I will also say that with the release of the XBOX One S, Microsoft alleviated practically 100% of the complaints people had with the old console. That said, it’s pretty clear who’s winning this console war. Even with Microsoft aggressively discounting the XBOX One and releasing all of it’s big guns including backwards compatibility, Gear of War, and halo, and ramping up all the marketing they can, the PlayStation 4 still has about twice as many sales as the XBOX One. And PSVR became the highest selling high-end consumer VR system in it’s first three months of release. The scoreboard doesn’t lie, so there’s clearly a lot more to it than controllers. PS4 vs. Xbox One: Which Console Is Right for You? Key Exclusives Uncharted, Bloodborne, Horizon: Zero Dawn Backwards Compatible No 4K Support No Storage Options 500GB, 1TB VR Support Yes (PlayStation VR) Amazon has the Microsoft Xbox One S 500GB Console with Forza Horizon 3 and the Hot Wheels expansion download for $236.64. That's $43 cheaper than Dell's price for the same bundle. B&H has the Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 Bundle with Halo Wars 2: Ultimate, Halo Wars 2: Season Pass, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition, and a $50 GC for $269.89. Add it to your cart to see this price. Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4 are constantly evolving — both consoles have gotten slimmer designs, new features and, naturally, lots of big games since they first launched. The Xbox One has tons of entertainment apps and can play a bunch of Xbox 360 and Xbox games, while the PS4 has continued to double-down on blockbuster exclusives and user-friendliness. There are even spruced-up versions of both systems that offer 4K gaming. More importantly, the Xbox One and PS4 both have tons of great games, and are both available for less than $300. But which console should you choose? We've put the Xbox One and PS4 up against each other in an eight-round brawl to determine which system is strongest. Latest News and Updates (January 2018) The Xbox One now supports Kodi, making Microsoft's console even more of a multimedia powerhouse. Here's what you need to know about the service. Wondering what you'll be playing on your PS4 or Xbox One this year? Check out our most anticipated games of 2018. If you're gaming on a budget, check out our roundups of the best free PS4 games and best free Xbox One games. Game Library. Both PS4 and Xbox One play many of this generation's best titles, from third-party blockbusters such as Fallout 4, Doom and Resident Evil 7, to beloved indies like Shovel Knight, Inside and Rocket League. Still, PS4 is winning the exclusives war by a mile. Between big hits such as Uncharted 4, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Persona 5, the PS4's exclusive offerings include a healthy mix of AAA blockbusters, niche Japanese titles and notable indies. Sony's Horizon: Zero Dawn. That's not to say the Xbox One is devoid of great first party games — titles such as Gears of War 4, Halo 5, Forza Horizon 3 and Sunset Overdrive are all major standouts. Xbox One is the only console you can play the wildly popular shooter PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds on, and is the exclusive console home to major indie games such as Tacoma and Cuphead. Most sports games come to both systems, though Sony's MLB: The Show series is exclusive to PlayStation. PS4 has a healthier fighting game lineup (Street Fighter V, Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator, King of Fighters XIV), though Microsoft's platform is the exclusive home to Killer Instinct. In 2018, PS4 fans can look forward to God of War, Spider-Man and Detroit: Become Human, while Xbox's exclusive lineup will be headlined by Sea of Thieves, Crackdown 3 and State of Decay 2. Winner: PS4. Both systems play tons of great games, but Sony's system has more hit games that you can only play on a console. Backwards Compatibility and Services. You don't necessarily need an Xbox One to play some of Microsoft's biggest first-party games. As part of Microsoft's Play Anywhere initiative, you can buy digital versions of games such as ReCore and Forza Motorsport 7 once and play them on Xbox One and on Windows 10. While this is a great value, those who have a decent gaming PC arguably have no reason to buy an Xbox One. Microsoft's Gears of War 4. If you have a massive library of Xbox 360 games, however, the Xbox One might be a better buy for you. More than 400 Xbox 360 games are currently playable on Microsoft's new console, including Mass Effect, Fallout 3 and the entire Gears of War series, and the system even plays a handful of games from the original 2001 Xbox. You can play older games on PS4, but not without paying up. A small selection of digital PS2 classics are available on Sony's new console for about $15 a pop, each scaled up to 1080p with earnable trophies and support for features such as Share Play and Remote Play. The PS4 plays PS3 games via PlayStation Now, which allows you to stream hundreds of last-gen titles (and a few PS4 games) from the cloud for $10 a month or $100 a year. In contrast, Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass grants access to over 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games that you can download for $10 a month, including such major hits as Metal Gear Solid V and Gears of War 4. Xbox One is also the exclusive home of EA Access, which lets you play an ever-growing library of EA games for $30 a year or $5 a month. Winner: Xbox One. Xbox One plays hundreds of Xbox 360 games, offers cross-play with PC and lets you binge on three generations' worth of games for a good price. The latest iterations of both consoles (the PS4 Slim and Xbox One S) are both impressively sleek, offering attractive designs that look great under a TV and can fit into a backpack without a problem. The newest PS4 has a slight edge in terms of sheer smallness, though it lacks an optical input for high-end gaming headsets. Sony's 4K-ready PS4 Pro has a chunkier, hamburger-like design, while the Xbox One X, which is even more powerful than the Pro, is somehow slimmer than the Xbox One S. Photo: Sam Rutherford / Tom's Guide. Both consoles start with 500GB of storage that you can easily expand by connecting an external hard drive. PS4 owners also have the option of opening up their consoles to swap in a new 2.5-inch or SATA drive. Each controller has its perks — the Xbox One pad has textured grips and can be customized via the Xbox Design Lab, while Sony's DualShock 4 is highly ergonomic and has a touchpad and reactive lightbar. The PS4 controller is the only one that supports micro USB charging right out of the box — Xbox One owners will need to rely on AA batteries or buy a $25 charging kit. Thanks to the $399 PlayStation VR headset, PS4 is the only of the two consoles to currently support virtual reality (it's pretty good at it, too). There's currently no equivalent for Xbox One, though Microsoft's mixed reality headsets are expected to eventually work with the Xbox One family. Winner: PS4. Sony's console is more attractive, packs a more feature-rich controller and currently is the only of the two to support virtual reality. Performance and Graphics. If you're concerned about nuts and bolts, both consoles have an 8-core x86-64 AMD Jaguar processor with 8GB of RAM, an AMD Radeon GPU and a 500GB hard drive . While games generally look and play great on both systems, PS4 has the edge in terms of resolution. For example, according to IGN's database, games such as Batman: Arkham Knight and Shadow of Mordor all run at full 1080p on PS4, while Xbox One gamers have to settle for 900p on those titles. If getting the best possible crispness for most games is a priority, PS4 comes out on top. However, when it comes to the premium versions of both consoles, Xbox has an edge. The $499 Xbox One X plays many titles in native 4K, and has the most powerful overall specs of any console out there. The $399 PS4 Pro technically plays games in 4K, but the experience is oftentimes upscaled rather than true 4K. For a detailed look at how these consoles stack up, check out our Xbox One X vs. PS4 Pro face-off. Folks with HDR-ready TVs should also consider High Dynamic Range support, which allows for richer colors and better brightness. The Xbox One X, Xbox One S, PS4 Pro and standard PS4 all support HDR, though the list of HDR-enabled games varies by console. Winner: PS4. Games look stunning on both systems, but the stock PS4 offers better resolution for many titles. User-Friendliness. The Xbox One's ever-evolving interface is fairly intuitive, with large app icons, a highly customizable home screen, and a guide menu that lets you see friends, track achievements and take screenshots with a quick button tap. Microsoft continues to roll out useful new features, such as the ability to gift games to friends, get instant tech support with Xbox Assist and even avoid those pesky notifications with Do Not Disturb mode. Still, the PS4 menu simply feels better to navigate, and Sony's console is still king in terms of capturing gameplay moments and sharing them with friends. A quick tap of the DualShock 4's Share button lets you record a clip, broadcast your gameplay or take a screenshot. And the PS4-exclusive Share Play feature lets you give control of your game to an online friend for up to 60 minutes, so long as that person has Plus. Both consoles can broadcast gameplay directly to Twitch, though only PS4 can stream to YouTube. PS4 players can share their screenshots and videos to Facebook and Twitter, whereas Xbox owners are limited to the latter network. Xbox One gamers have the option of streaming to Microsoft's Mixer service. Both systems also permit off-TV play, for those times the family is hogging the living room. Sony's Remote Play feature lets you stream PS4 games to a PlayStation Vita handheld, select Xperia devices, or your PC and Mac. Xbox One players, on the other hand, can stream their games to their Windows 10 laptops or tablets. Winner: PS4. The PS4 interface is slightly more user-friendly, and has better options for sharing gameplay with friends. Entertainment. For sheer options, Xbox One is the superior entertainment machine. The system has the unique ability to transmit your cable box's TV signal, allowing you to quickly switch between playing a game and watching a show. The Xbox One S, Xbox One X and PS4 Pro can all stream 4K content, but only Microsoft's consoles can play 4K Blu-rays. The Xbox One is also the only console that features Kodi, a highly popular media server app that lets you access any movies, TV shows, images or songs you have stored on any of your devices around the house. Other than that, both PS4 and Xbox One cover most entertainment essentials, from major apps like Netflix and Hulu to more niche stuff like WWE Network and Crunchyroll. PS4 and Xbox One both offer Spotify, which lets you rock out to tunes in the background of whatever you're playing. Xbox One features a few other notable music services such as SoundCloud and Pandora. Both consoles make it easy to cut cable. PS4 offers Sony's own PlayStation Vue online TV service (starting at $40 a month), which features lots of major cable channels, such as MTV and Nickelodeon; a slick interface; and a nearly limitless DVR. Xbox One owners have access to Sling TV , a similar online TV service that offers top networks such as ESPN and AMC for $20 a month, with add-on packages that bring in the likes of Epix and HBO. Even if you don't have cable or Sling, Xbox One has the ability to receive basic over-the-air live TV, as long as you have a separate antenna and adapter handy. Winner: Xbox One. PS4 has PlayStation Vue, but the Xbox One offers a 4K Blu-ray option and more ways to enjoy TV, with or without a cable subscription. Online Experience. Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold ($60 yearly, $10 monthly) and Sony's PlayStation Plus ($60 yearly, $10 monthly) online services are both required for you to play any game's online multiplayer mode, and both come with their fair share of extra goodies. PlayStation Plus members get two free games per PlayStation console per month, while Microsoft's Games with Gold provides the same service for Xbox gamers. Both programs have given away everything from new indie games to older blockbusters from franchises like Assassin's Creed and Metal Gear Solid. The value of each of these free-game programs largely depends on the hardware you own; PlayStation Plus covers PS4, PS3 and PS Vita, while Games with Gold applies to Xbox One and Xbox 360. Xbox One has a slight edge here, as all Xbox 360 Games with Gold games are backward-compatible. The free games offered by either service will remain in your library for as long as you're subscribed to Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus. Both services offer frequent discounts on digital games, and both provide cloud storage in different capacities. PlayStation Plus provides 10GB of cloud storage, whereas all your Xbox One saves are backed up to the cloud regardless of whether you have Xbox Live Gold. Even more important than free games and cloud storage is online stability, an area in which Xbox Live's reputation is better. The PlayStation Network has suffered some pretty infamous outages, including a few recent ones that occurred after Sony hiked the annual price up to $60. Winner: Xbox Live. Xbox Live is more stable, has better cloud storage, and gives Xbox One players more to play every month. The Xbox One S starts at $279, making it the cheapest option out there right before the $299 PS4 Slim. However, it's worth noting that both consoles go on sale all the time, and you can often find them both for as low as $200. The One S doubles as a 4K Blu-ray player, so you're arguably getting the most tech for your money with that machine. If you want 4K gaming, Sony's PS4 Pro costs $399, while the Xbox One X runs a hefty $499. That's a pretty big price gap, though Microsoft's console offers a richer 4K gaming experience. Winner: Xbox One. The $249 Xbox One S is the cheapest console out there and doubles as a 4K Blu-ray player. Bottom Line. The PS4 is our overall top pick , but only by a hair. While the Xbox One's rich entertainment features, better network stability and backward compatibility are all impressive, the PS4' superior lineup of exclusives and better overall user-friendliness give it a slight edge. Xbox will continue to be the home of Halo, Gears of War and Forza, just as PlayStation will host Uncharted, God of War and Infamous, so your choice might come down to your favorite exclusives. Your decision also might be as simple as which platform your friends are already playing on, because, let's face it — nobody wants to play Destiny 2 alone. Both Xbox One and PS4 have a healthy lineup of stellar games, making anyone who buys either of these consoles the real winner. But overall, the PS4 is our current favorite. See Also : The Best Games of February 2018. Mike Andronico is an associate editor at Tom's Guide. When he's not writing about mobile tech and gaming, you can usually catch him playing Street Fighter, devouring Twitch streams and trying to convince people that Hawkeye is the best Avenger. GamesRadar+ PS4 vs Xbox One - Which is best in 2017? Which console is best value, who has the best games and services; plus will PS4 Pro and Xbox Scorpio affect your choice? Looking for a new games console among the best Cyber Monday gaming deals? If Nintendo's Switch doesn't tickle your fancy, it's currently a two-way decision between PS4 vs Xbox One. Each console has particular strengths and weaknesses that go deeper than which games are exclusive to each system (though games are certainly a huge factor), and deciding how to spend your hard-earned money can be a daunting task. Check out our best Cyber Monday PS4 deals or best Cyber Monday Xbox One deals to see the best prices for each console. To make your decision easier, we've broken down the most important aspects of competition between the two and declared a definitive winner. We'll take a look at the games, prices and bundles, the new PS4 Slim and Xbox One S models, the upcoming mid-generation upgrades, online services, controller quality, and more. You can't go wrong with either console, but if you really want to know which machine stands above the other, we have the full break down right here. Games are, for most people, the reason you buy a console, and will make their choice based on which machine boasts the superior software lineup. Xbox One has close to 900 games available to buy. The console's biggest hitters include Halo 5: Guardians, Forza Horizon 3, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break. Microsoft is still aggressively pursuing timed-console exclusives (like Dead Rising 4), plus upcoming Xbox One games include Mass Effect: Andromeda and Final Fantasy XV. The Phil Spencer era continues to see the Redmond giant going big on first-party killer app contenders - we're finally getting a new Crackdown and Sea Of Thieves looks huge fun. Microsoft also deserves credit for its strides with backwards compatibility; a huge range of Xbox 360 titles can be played on the Xbox One; here's a list of the backwards compatible games. PlayStation 4's catalog clocks in at well over 1100 games. While Sony hasn't released as many exclusives as some fans would like, a library that includes Uncharted 4, Bloodborne, Ratchet & Clank, DriveClub, Until Dawn, and No Man's Sky is still pretty damn strong. Looking ahead, The Last Guardian, God of War, and Horizon Zero Dawn should ensure PS4's first-party lineup gets even more alluring. Sadly, things aren't as bright with backwards compatibility - you can only play PS3 games on PS4 through Sony's (fairly expensive) PlayStation Now streaming service. Winner: PlayStation 4. While Xbox One pulls ahead in terms of high-profile exclusives, PS4 has a superior variety of games - most of which run better on Sony's console - whether it's AAA blockbusters or offbeat indies. Everyone loves a bargain, but the key battleground here is value – which console is most closely aligned with your needs? Winner: Xbox One. Both consoles boast similarly priced bundles with their new slim models, but the Xbox One S offers better value when you you consider its 4K Blu-Ray player. Xbox One controllers are also a bit cheaper than the PS4's for the Player 2 in your life, and the Elite controller is probably the best you can get your hands on. That said, the PS4 Pro offers a serious power upgrade for $100 more. Subscription Perks. Why is it important? Controllers. Controllers are your primary interaction with the console, so precision and comfort is at a premium. Xbox One's basic controller retails for about $50 and its design is both comfortable and ergonomic. It has an upgraded d-pad that's (thankfully) superior to the Xbox 360's, and the joysticks have great grip. Additionally, the integrated battery pack keeps the back from bulging out like the 360's did, and the rumbling triggers are fun (if not essential). However, the pad's L1 and R1 bumpers feel cheap and overly clicky. This keeps the Xbox One's controller from being the full upgrade it could have been, but if you're willing to spend a larger chunk of change you can pick up the Xbox One Elite controller. It makes vast improvements over the standard controller - it has a premium build set of interchangeable sticks and triggers - but it will set you back $150. PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 is a massive improvement over its predecessor in almost every way, with a fantastic d-pad, satisfying buttons, much better sticks, and a headphone plug-in jack. That said, the clickable touchpad remains largely under utilised, while the option and share buttons are somewhat difficult to press. It's also a bit pricer than the Xbox One's controller, around $60. To accompany the PS4 Slim, Sony has also released a slightly updated DualShock 4, which now has a small LED strip on the touchpad that emits the same colour as the light bar. It's a minor, somewhat unnecessary change when you consider the rubber on the DualShock 4's sticks still have a nasty habit of wearing away. Winner: PlayStation 4. This is easily the most subjective category, but the DualShock 4 is a colossal upgrade on its predecessor. Of course, the Xbox One pad is a mighty fine controller in its own right, but perhaps Microsoft played it a little too safe with the design. It's worth noting that the Xbox One Elite controller is on another level to either console's standard pad – but you pay for it. Slim Versions: Xbox One S and PS4 Slim. Making a console purchase is now more complicated than ever. If you're new to the market, do you opt for a cheaper, older, version of a console – or the new, slightly pricier, slim model? VR and AR support. Let's be frank, for many people, the drive to create new experiences in virtual reality and augmented reality aren't that important, but don't be fooled – this is unlikely to be a fleeting experiment, like 3D or Kinect, but here to stay. Broadcasting, Sharing and Streaming. Budding streamers and YouTubers will appreciate the nuances of each console's broadcasting abilities and sharing services, more casual gamers will just appreciate the ability to capture cool moments and share them with friends on social media. Upgraded consoles: PS4 Pro and Xbox Scorpio. Do you wait for the upgraded version of either console to launch before making a choice – and if you commit today, which upgraded console is most likely to leave your current console obsolete? The traditional lines between console generations are being blurred, with Microsoft talking about 'leaving no one behind'. Either way: which upgrade will be most powerful? Closing arguments: Xbox One. The Xbox Live service is superb, providing subscribers with monthly free games, reliable connectivity and updates, and, with the new user interface, an easily accessible online Store. The updated interface vastly improves the speed of navigating the Xbox One Dashboard. Creating Xbox Live Parties with friends has been streamlined, making the process much faster from a processing and user input standpoint. The increase in speed also goes for Snapping achievements in game, sending messages, and engaging with various game communities. Under Xbox boss Phil Spencer, the One is rapidly acquiring a killer lineup of first-party hits. The company is also changing how we view the Xbox platform with Xbox Play Anywhere. It's an initiative that lets you play Microsoft-published games - such as Gears Of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3 - on Xbox One and a Windows 10-powered PC with full cross-save compatibility providing you buy the digital version of the game. It merges the console and PC spaces together more closely than ever. You can use up to two external hard drives for extra storage, but they have to be 256GB or larger and support USB 3.0. Once formatted, they can hold games, apps, DLC, or whatever else is filling up your Xbox One. Cable TV boxes can also be hooked straight into your Xbox One, so you don't have to switch inputs when you want to watch TV, and can even use Kinect to change channels, though these features don't feel as big of a deal as Microsoft made them out to be at launch. Finally, the console has a fine controller, while the new Xbox One S provides a sleek redesign that also acts as the best value 4K media device on the market. Closing arguments: PlayStation 4. The PS4 can hook up with all kinds of devices. Android and iOS tablets can run the PlayStation app for basic interaction with the console, while select Sony smartphones can even remote play games. And using the PS Vita to remote play Destiny in bed is a dream. You can view global completion rates for individual trophies on PS4. Its a nice bragging right to perform an "Ultra Rare" feat that only 0.10% of players have accomplished. Spotify is fully integrated on PS4, letting you enjoy your favorite playlists while you play. You can even use your smartphone or tablet to fiddle with the music without interrupting your game. More than anything though, the PS4 is the 'anti-PS3' in all the ways that count. Thanks to a newfound humbleness Sony has made a brilliantly versatile machine. The pad's great, it's easy to develop for, its indie scene is vibrant, and sharing awesome experiences with friends is a doddle. Sony done good. The Winner: PlayStation 4 (for now) The PlayStation 4 is absolutely nailing that ideal triumvirate of great games, robust online features, and slick hardware design. For most of this generation it's had all the goodwill and momentum, and that doesn't seem to be slowing down. But the Xbox One is not far behind, especially with the introduction of the sleeker Scorpio model. There's a lot to love in both boxes, and this console war isn't going to be wrapping up any time soon. But at the end of the day, one factor should rise above all else: the games. If there's a particular game that you really want to play that's only available on one console or another, let that be your guiding light when making a purchase. You won't be disappointed with either console, so get out there and play the games you love. Recommended. 8 things to watch out for this week. Who are the GamesRadar+ team? Shadow of the Colossus review: "Still feels as thought provoking and artful as it did all those years ago on PS2" Monster Hunter World review: "An incredible achievement" UFC 3 review: "Half-brilliant, half going-through-the-motions" Dragon Ball FighterZ review: "Flashy and a bit dumb. but god is it fun to watch" The Inpatient review: "It's all utterly brilliant; terrifyingly so" Winchester review: "The Spierig brothers don’t show great understanding of how ghost stories actually work" Journey's End review: "A harrowing, powerful WW1 drama well worth enduring" Phantom Thread review: "Anderson crafts another classic of obsession and strange love" Early Man review: "A primitive concept generates unsophisticated laughs" Last Flag Flying review: "A salty road trip tinged with sadness" Altered Carbon review: "A vibrant, well-made sci-fi story with a strong mystery at its heart" Star Trek Discovery S1.13 review: "It's incredible how much is packed into this one episode" Star Trek Discovery S1.12 review: "Proves that the series is even cleverer than we originally thought" Star Trek Discovery S1.11 review: "Swaps action for character revelations, but is no less thrilling" Star Trek Discovery S1.10 review: "So shocking and emotional that you'll need a second watch" Gaming deals, prizes and latest news. Get the best gaming deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable gaming news and more! No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission. GamesRadar+ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury , Bath BA1 1UA . All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. 6 More Ways PS4 is Better Than Xbox One. Both the PS4 and Xbox One have a lot going for them. They’re state-of-the-art gaming consoles that are capable of powering some of the best-looking games ever created. The only way to play games that look better than what you’ll find on these $350 boxes is to spend far more money on a high-end PC. While the PS4 could be improved by borrowing some ideas from Xbox One, it has a few advantages of its own, making it arguable that the PS4 is better than Xbox One. We’ve already gone over a few of the reasons in an article on features Xbox One should steal from PS4, but here are a few more ways the PS4 is better than Xbox One. 1. Better graphics. Uncharted 4 is arguably the best-looking game ever made. | Source: Sony. There’s no way around it: The PS4 is more powerful than the Xbox One. It’s not a huge difference, but it is noticeable. For one thing, cross-platform PS4 games routinely run in higher resolution and/or with more frames per second than they do on Xbox One. Look at the figures highlighted in red on this chart for some examples. But it’s not just numbers that tell the story. The exclusive games on PS4, like Uncharted 4 and Ratchet and Clank , have a graphical edge over Xbox One exclusives like Halo 5 and Quantum Break . It’s not a major difference, but it’s one you can see if you look at the games side-by-side. 2. Better optimized games. Ratchet and Clank | Source: Sony. The Xbox One is an excellent gaming machine, but the PlayStation 4 is outselling it roughly two to one. There are a lot more PS4 owners than Xbox One owners in the world, which means many game developers will prioritize the PS4 version of their games over the Xbox One version. That’s not to say the Xbox One versions are always inferior, but if more people are going to buy a game on PS4, developers are going to spend more time and money optimizing the PS4 version. For the last console generation, the situation was reversed. The Xbox 360 outsold the PS3 for most of its life, so you’d see things like extra bugs pop up in PS3 games that didn’t occur in the 360 version. This generation you can expect a similar situation with Xbox One games getting a little less attention from developers. 3. Your friends probably have a PS4. Since the PS4 has a much bigger install base than Xbox One, it’s likely that your gamer friends probably have a PS4. This becomes an issue when you want to play games online with your buddies. If they have a PS4 and you have an Xbox One, you won’t be able to team up unless one of you springs for the other console. This particular PS4 advantage isn’t really Microsoft’s fault, but it is another reason why, in the end, PS4 is better. 4. No Kinect baggage. Xbox One Kinect motion controller peripheral | Source: Microsoft. One reason the Xbox One is lagging behind in sales is because it originally shipped with the pricy Kinect motion controller, causing Xbox One to cost $100 more than PS4. Microsoft ditched the Kinect after six months, pricing the two consoles the same, but the sales momentum Sony’s console got hasn’t let up one bit since. The problem was that the whole Xbox One user interface was designed around players using the Kinect’s voice and motion controls to navigate it. Once Microsoft stopped packing in a Kinect with every system, it took a long time for Microsoft to optimize its operating system for controllers. Even now, the Xbox One’s UI is less intuitive than the PS4’s, which is probably due in part to the legacy of the Kinect. Meanwhile, the PS4’s UI was designed from the ground up for controllers — and it shows. 5. Better exclusive games. The hero confronts a terrifying boss in Bloodborne . | Source: Sony. This one’s a matter of opinion, but right now we’d say PS4 has better exclusive games. It wasn’t always like this. For the first couple of years, we think Xbox One had better exclusives, thanks to games like Halo: The Master Chief Collection , Sunset Overdrive , Halo 5 , and the Forza series. But in the past few months, the PS4 has come out with killer titles like The Witness , Ratchet & Clank , and Uncharted 4 , to say nothing of older exclusives like Bloodborne and Until Dawn . This is an ongoing battle between the two consoles, and which one has the upper hand changes over time. But for now, we’d say the winner is PS4. You can see the Xbox One’s standout exclusive games here and the PS4’s best exclusives here. 6. Better remote play. The PS Vita handheld gaming system from Sony. | Source: Sony. In the old days, when Neanderthals roamed the land, you had to sit in front of your console to play it. Those days are over in this console generation, thanks to remote play. On the Xbox One, you can stream games from your console to a computer running Windows 10. Remote play on PS4 is better because it’s much more versatile. You can stream your PS4 games to a computer running Windows or Mac. You can stream them to a PS Vita for some good old portable PS4 action. You can even stream PS4 games to another TV as long as you have a PlayStation TV hooked up to it. When it comes to remote play, the more options you have, the better.