PS4 vs. Xbox One: How Do They Compare?

Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One have been duking it out since both of the video game consoles launched in 2013. With plenty of similarities, understanding their differences can help you decide which console is best for you.

Games
You’re buying a system to play the games, so it’s important to know that each console has exclusive games that could potentially sell you on one over the other. For example, you can play Halo, Gears of War, and Forza only on Xbox One, whereas PS4 exclusives include Uncharted, God of War and Infamous. You may also want to consider which platform your friends are already playing on, as many are simply more fun when played together. If you own games from either of the systems’ earlier generations, know that only Xbox One is backward compatible, meaning you can play Xbox 360 games including Mass Effect, Fallout 3 and the entire Gears of War series.

Specs and Hardware
When it comes to technical details, both the PS4 and the Xbox One feature 8GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, and expandable storage options. The PS4 has a slightly higher resolution — 1080p compared to Xbox One’s 900p. Although both systems include one controller, the PS4 DualShock 4 has more special features than the standard Xbox One pad, including a built-in speaker, motion-control, and a front-facing touchpad.

Entertainment
Today’s video game consoles provide much more than game play. Both the PS4 and the Xbox One play Blu-ray and DVD movies, and offer streaming services including Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, and Amazon Instant Video. Because of its ability transmit your cable box’s TV signal, the Xbox One also allows for quick switching between games and TV programming. Xbox One also has Backward Compatibility, which gives players access to a library of more than 100 Xbox 360 games, and allows them to play Xbox 360 games they already own at no additional cost.

A Quick-Reference Video Game Console Comparison