Gaming devices: PlayStation 6 vs. Xbox Series Z

Quick Verdict

Both the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Series Z are future-generation consoles with a focus on high performance and advanced features. The Xbox Series Z has established metrics and features from its Series X and S models, while the PlayStation 6 has projected improvements and new controller features. The ultimate choice depends on exclusive titles, online services, and specific hardware preferences, which are currently not fully available for the PS6.

Both consoles aim for high performance, with the PS6 targeting 4K at 120 FPS and the Xbox Series Z already achieving it on the Series X.
The PS6 is expected to have improved ray tracing, while the Xbox Series Z already supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Xbox Series Z offers backward compatibility with older Xbox games and has a known online service subscription cost, while details for the PS6 are not yet available.
Controller features differ, with the PS6 introducing 'Game Play Rewind' and heating/cooling regions, while the Xbox Series Z has a revised shape and 'Share' button.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	PlayStation 6	Xbox Series Z
Name	PlayStation 6	Xbox Series Z
CPU Clock Speed	Not available	Xbox Series X: Custom 8-core Zen 2 CPU, 3.8 GHz (3.66 GHz with SMT). Xbox Series S: Slightly slower CPU clock frequency.
GPU Compute Units	52-100	Xbox Series X: 52 CUs at 1.825 GHz. Xbox Series S: 20 CUs at 1.565 GHz.
RAM Capacity	16GB-32GB	Xbox Series X: 16 GB GDDR6 SDRAM. Xbox Series S: 10 GB GDDR6 SDRAM.
Storage Capacity	1TB or 2TB	Xbox Series X: 1 TB or 2 TB NVMe SSD. Xbox Series S: 512 GB or 1 TB SSD. Expandable with proprietary cards.
Maximum Supported Resolution	4K at 120 FPS, potential for 8K gaming	Xbox Series X: 4K at 60 FPS, up to 120 FPS and 8K. Xbox Series S: 1440p at 60 FPS, 4K upscaling.
Ray Tracing Support	Improved ray tracing capabilities	Both Series X and S support hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Variable Refresh Rate Support	Likely to be supported	Both Series X and S support HDMI 2.1 VRR.
Exclusive Game Titles	Not yet announced	Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Avowed, Fable, Forza Motorsport, State of Decay 2.
Backward Compatibility	PS4 and PS5 games	Compatible with most Xbox One games, select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Backward compatible games benefit from faster load times, higher resolution, and more stable frame rates.
Online Services Subscription Cost	Not yet announced	Xbox Game Pass Core: $9.99/month. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: $16.99-$19.99/month.
Controller Features (e.g., haptics, adaptive triggers)	'Game Play Rewind' button, heating and cooling regions within the handles	Revised shape, redesigned analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and triggers, rumble motors within the triggers, 'Share' button, textured grips, hybrid D-pad.
Physical Disc Drive	It is not yet known if the PS6 will have an optical disc drive.	Xbox Series X: 4K UHD Blu-ray disc drive. Xbox Series S: No disc drive.
Price	Not available	Not available
Ratings	overall: Not available, performance: Not available	Not available

Overall Comparison

PlayStation 6: Potential for 4K at 120 FPS, Xbox Series Z: 4K at 60-120 FPS, Ray Tracing Support: Both, Backward Compatibility: Both, Online Subscription: Xbox has a known cost, PlayStation is not available.

Pros and Cons

PlayStation 6

Pros:

Expected to utilize an AMD Zen 6 CPU, offering a substantial performance increase over the PS5.
Most likely based on AMD's UDNA architecture.
Targeted for 4K resolution at 120 frames per second.
Expected to have backward compatibility with older PlayStation consoles.
Allows for dramatically increased performance speeds, resulting in ultra-fast loading times.
Seamless connectivity and gameplay with friends regardless of their location.

Cons:

No details are available yet for cooling system performance.
No details are available yet for user interface.
No details are available yet for key differences in exclusive game titles.
No details are available yet for long-term reliability and repair costs.

Xbox Series Z

Pros:

Fast loading times due to custom SSD and Xbox Velocity Architecture
Backward compatibility with enhanced performance for older games
Support for ray tracing
Support for variable refresh rate
New controller with improved ergonomics and Share button

Cons:

Cooling system performance and thermal throttling information not available
Improvements to online services and community features information not available
User Interface information not available
Long-term reliability and repair costs information not available

User Experiences and Feedback

PlayStation 6

What Users Love

Ultra-fast loading times
Improved ray tracing capabilities
Seamless connectivity

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

The console employs a revolutionary new architecture that allows for dramatically increased performance speeds, resulting in ultra-fast loading times.
The GPU will be built from the ground up with a focus on ray tracing and AI acceleration.
With built-in support for 5G networks, this console enables seamless connectivity and gameplay with friends regardless of their location.

Xbox Series Z

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.