Now that both the Xbox One and PS4 are officially announced at their respective launch events and press conferences at the E3, we’ve got more details about each of them which means it’s the perfect time to compare both the next generation gaming consoles.
Let’s delve deeper and compare the specs, services and features of the Xbox one and PlayStation 4.
Pre-owned Games
Pre owned games will work on the PS4 just as they do on the PS2 and the PS3. You can lend a game to your friend by simply handing him the disc – no more complications. This way, you and your friend can share the game and enjoy more titles.
However, Microsoft is allowing developers to set their own rules regarding games to be re-sold. Things are not that simple with Xbox One, as compared to Sony’s PS4 in this regard.
“Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers.” says Microsoft on the Xbox site. “There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.”
Same AMD CPU
Now this is where both the gaming consoles remain very similar. Both – the Xbox One and PS4 run on x86 octa-core CPUs, and these 8-core processors are made by the same company – AMD.
Use of AMD CPU in the Xbox One and PS4 is certainly a good decision made by both the companies, as previously, Microsoft was using an IBM PowerPC processor, while Sony partnered with Toshiba and IBM to build its own processor.
RAM
One area where the PS4 wins the game hands-down is in the use of the 8GB GDDR5 RAM.
Microsoft, on the other hand uses 8GB RAM as well, but its DDR3 and not DDR5.
This RAM is of the same type that is used by today’s PC video cards and is specially optimized for graphical throughput. If this RAM is coupled with faster graphics memory, then it might surely give an edge to the PS4, in terms of performance and graphics.
Internet Connection – Required?
The Xbox One requires gamers to stay connected with Internet connection. If the Internet is disconnected for more than an hour, then your game will stop functioning. Of course you’d still be able to do other things like watch TV, use Blu-rays and surf the web but you won’t be able to play games. Consider this as Xbox’s limitation.
Sony, on the other has no such limitations. If you prefer to stay offline, then you can, unless you’re playing game online, streaming or downloading. Your games will always work, and won’t depend on Internet connection like the Xbox One.
Pricing & Availability
Both consoles will go on sale during this holiday season. The Xbox One will be available in November, while Sony has not confirmed an exact date.
Talking about the pricing part, then that’s where PS4 scores again. The PlayStation 4 will cost $399 in the US, £349 in the UK, €399 in Europe and $549 in Australia.
The Xbox One will cost $499 in the US, £429 in the UK and $599 in Australia.
The PS4 is $100 cheaper than Xbox One, and for many people pricing is an important point in considering what to buy. Are consumers willing to shell $100 more to buy Xbox One? Only time will tell.
The below table compares ‘technically’ the Xbox One with PlayStation 4.
Xbox One vs PlayStation 4
[table]
Features, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
CPU, 8-core x86 AMD, 8-core x86 AMD
RAM, 8GB GDDR3, 8GB GDDR5
Blu-ray, Yes, Yes
Hard drive, 500GB Hard Drive, 500GB Hard Drive
Required internet connection, Yes, No
Motion control, Kinect (bundled), “DualShock 4, PlayStation 4 Eye, PlayStation Move”
Wireless, Yes (802.11n), Yes (802.11n)
USB 3.0, Yes, Yes
Gigabit Ethernet, Yes, Yes
Bluetooth, No, Bluetooth 2.1 (EDR)
Subscription service, Xbox Live, PlaStation Plus
Live streaming, Yes, Yes
Region Locked, Yes, TBA
A/V Connection, “HDMI input and output (4K support), Optical output”, “HDMI (4K Support) , Analog (Component, RCA), Optical output”
Backwards compatibility, No, No
Background downloading, Yes, Yes
Real-time gameplay steaming, Yes, Yes
Cloud storage, Yes, Yes
Price, $499.99, $399.99
Availability, November 2013, Holiday 2013
[/table]
