Consoles often face criticism for lower graphical fidelity and frame rates compared to high-end gaming PCs. In recent years, the emergence of graphics cards enabling native 4K gaming has elevated PC gaming, while consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One have remained limited to 1080p or even 720p. Sony and Microsoft seek to address this with their latest offerings: the PS4 Pro and the newly revealed Xbox One X.
Released last November, the PlayStation 4 Pro was the first console showcasing 4K gaming. Microsoft, meanwhile, has diligently developed their potent gaming console, dubbed “Project Scorpio”. At E3 2017, the company unveiled the console, now named Xbox One X, boasting native 4K gaming. Curious about how these consoles compare? Let’s pit the Xbox One X against the PS4 Pro:
Design and Build Quality
Let’s start with the Xbox One X, the new kid on the block. At first glance, it resembles a matte black variant of last year’s Xbox One S. However, there are subtle differences that distinguish it. The optical drive has shifted slightly, now positioned at the junction between the top and bottom of the console. Additionally, the front USB port has been relocated to the right. Moreover, the small holes that covered half of the Xbox One S have been repositioned to the rear and sides of the newest model, creating a cleaner look. Concerning build quality, the Xbox One X features hard-matte plastic, consistent with previous consoles of this generation.
Moving on to the PS4 Pro, we have a parallelogram-shaped console with an additional deck at the top, compared to the standard PS4 and PS4 Slim. It’s wider and taller than both the previous consoles, enabling better hardware without sacrificing cooling. The PS4 Pro is made of hard-matte plastic, resembling Sony’s current generation consoles, so little has changed in design and build quality.
Regarding design and build quality, the Xbox One X stands out as the better-looking console. However, if aesthetics aren’t a priority, both the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X are solidly constructed.
Hardware
Processor
Undoubtedly, a crucial component driving both consoles is their CPU. The Xbox One X boasts eight custom x86 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz, slightly faster than the PlayStation 4 Pro’s eight-core custom “Jaguar” CPU clocked at 2.1 GHz. This ensures a noticeable improvement in overall performance for the One X.
GPU
Here’s how the department highlights the difference between the consoles. The Xbox One X’s graphical power comes from the integrated AMD GPU using Polaris architecture, clocked at 1172 MHz. Additionally, it features 12 GB of GDDR5 memory, a notable upgrade from the older Xbox One consoles’ 8 GB DDR3 memory. The GPU’s memory bandwidth reaches a fast 326 GB/s, on par with high-end gaming PCs.
On the other hand, the PS4 Pro runs on an AMD Polaris GPU clocked at a lower speed of 911 MHz, and like the original PS4, it features the same 8 GB GDDR5 memory. The memory bandwidth is 218 GB/s, notably less than Microsoft’s offering.
Storage
Both the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X come with 1 TB hard disk drives. Therefore, there’s no difference in storage. However, a console with a hybrid drive would be preferable as mechanical hard drives are becoming obsolete.
Performance
Since the revelation of “Project Scorpio”, Microsoft has emphasized its 6 Teraflops of computing performance, contrasting sharply with the PS4 Pro’s 4.12 Teraflops, establishing it as the superior console. Sony’s previous dominance is now challenged.
Due to inferior hardware, the PS4 Pro cannot achieve native 4K gaming on most games, except for a few. Sony utilizes checkerboard rendering to upscale games to 4K resolution. The majority of PS4 Pro games run at a native 1440p resolution and are upscaled to 4K using this technique. Conversely, the Xbox One X guarantees native 4K gaming at 60 frames per second, according to the company’s claims.
Regarding graphical prowess, Microsoft clearly excels. At E3 2017, the company showcased numerous games capable of running at native 4K resolution effortlessly.
Games
A console’s quality is ultimately determined by its games, regardless of its power, as exemplified by the Xbox One X. While Microsoft announced a variety of new console launch exclusives such as Forza Motorsport 7, Super Lucky’s Tale, State of Decay 2, Crackdown 3, and Sea of Thieves, these titles are also set to release on PC. Therefore, if you own a powerful gaming rig, playing these games on it may be preferable to purchasing the new console solely for that purpose. Microsoft ensures that no games will be exclusive to the Xbox One X alone, as they aim to maintain community unity. Additionally, the company asserts that all current Xbox One games will benefit from the improved hardware of the Xbox One X, enhancing performance irrespective of whether developers update their games or not.
Conversely, Sony boasts a robust lineup of exclusive titles set to debut on the PS4 soon, such as God of War, Spider-Man, Last of Us Part II, Death Stranding, and Days Gone. To experience these games, owning a PlayStation 4 console is imperative, as they won’t be available on PCs like Xbox games. Regarding exclusives, Sony has proven its superiority over Microsoft, with recent releases receiving praise from both critics and fans. Additionally, developers can optimize existing games for the PS4 Pro hardware through a simple software patch. Overall, Sony’s console emerges as the definitive choice for quality exclusive games.
Connectivity
Microsoft’s latest Xbox One boasts a plethora of ports. On the back, there’s HDMI Out, HDMI In, 2 USB 3.0, IR Out, S/PDIF, and Ethernet ports. Additionally, there’s another USB 3.0 port at the front. The console supports 4K UHD Blu-ray playback via its optical drive, a feature absent in the PS4 Pro. Concerning wireless connections, it supports IEEE 802.11 ac Dual Band Wi-Fi, mirroring other Xbox Ones.
Regarding the PS4, the console boasts USB 3.0, HDMI Out, AUX, Ethernet, and Digital Out ports. On the front, there are USB 3.0 ports primarily for connecting controllers. However, the Blu-ray drive does not support UHD 4K video playback, unlike the Xbox One. In terms of wireless connectivity, the console supports IEEE 802.11 ac Dual Band Wi-Fi, similar to the newer Xbox One X.
Pricing and Availability
No matter the power of a gaming console or its game offerings, the price remains the decisive factor in your choice. The new Xbox One X, priced at $499, hits stores on November 7, 2017, aligning with previous console launches. Conversely, the PS4 Pro, available since November 10, 2016, at $399, gave Sony an early sales advantage. Both consoles justify their price points.PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X: Specs ComparisonXbox One XPS4 ProDimensions11.8 x 9.4 x 2.4 inchesWeight8.4 lbsCPU8-core custom x86 cores, 2.3 GHzGPUIntegrated AMD Polaris, 1172 MHzMemory12 GB GDDR5Floating point performance6 TFlopsMemory Bandwidth326 GB/sStorage1 TBOptical DriveUHD 4K Blu-rayConnectivityHDMI Out, HDMI In, IR Out, S/PDIF, Ethernet, 3 x USB 3.0WirelessIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Dual-band Wi-FiNative 4K SupportYesHDR SupportYesVirtual RealityYesPrice$499AvailabilityNovember 7, 2017
Which Console Will You Choose?
After reading our article, you likely have a clear idea of each console’s capabilities. Both machines impress, but your choice boils down to budget and preference. If you’re on a tight budget but crave Sony’s exclusive games in UHD resolution on your TV, PS4 Pro is the better option. However, for the most powerful hardware, delivering games in native 4K resolution, Xbox One X is unbeatable, even if it means missing out on some Sony exclusives. So, are you ready to switch to 4K and upgrade your gaming console? If yes, which one will you choose? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
