PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro vs. Xbox One vs. Xbox One S: What's the difference?
Here's how the latest Sony and Microsoft game consoles stack up -- in terms of specs, anyhow!
Which is bigger, the Xbox One S or the PlayStation 4 Slim? Which has more powerful processors? Should I upgrade or wait?
Now that Sony and Microsoft each have three current-generation game consoles headed to market, it's getting a bit confusing.
That's why we decided to create a giant spec sheet each of these new systems -- the PS4, PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Project Scorpio -- all in one place.
Update, October 20: We've confirmed the PS4 Pro has a 31% faster CPU, much faster GPU, and includes an extra 1GB of memory which it uses to free up an additional 512MB of the GDDR5 video memory for enhanced graphics, compared to the original PS4. See updated spec sheet.
Here we go!
PS4 vs. PS4 vs. PS4 vs. Xbox vs. Xbox vs. Xbox: Fight!
| PS4 | PS4 Slim | PS4 Pro | Xbox One | Xbox One S | Project Scorpio | |
| Price | $300, £260, AU$440 | $300, £260, AU$440 | $400, £350, AU$560 | $250, £200, AU$350 | $300, £250, AU$400 | TBD but >$300⁸ |
| Availability | Now | September 15 | November 10 | Now | Now | 2017 |
| CPU | 1.6GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar | 1.6GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar | 2.1GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar | 1.75GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar | 1.75GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar | 8-core AMD Jaguar |
| GPU | 1.84 TFLOP AMD Radeon (18CU, 800MHz) | 1.84 TFLOP AMD Radeon (18CU, 800MHz) | 4.2 TFLOP AMD Radeon (36CU, 911MHz) | 1.31 TFLOP AMD Radeon⁶ | 1.4 TFLOP AMD Radeon⁶ | 6 TFLOP AMD Radeon |
| Max video output | 1080p | 1080p | 4K | 1080p | 4K | 4K |
| Typical game resolution | 720p - 1080p¹ | 720p - 1080p¹ | Varies massively⁵ | 720p - 1080p¹ | 720p - 1080p¹ | TBD |
| HDR support | Yes² | Yes² | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 8GB GDDR5 | 8GB GDDR5 + 1GB⁵ | 8GB DDR3⁷ | 8GB DDR3⁷ | TBD |
| Storage | 500GB (5400rpm) | 500GB, 1TB (5400rpm) | 1TB | 500GB, 1TB (5400rpm) | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB (5400rpm) | TBD |
| Dimensions (imperial) | 12 x 10.8 inches | 11.3 x 10.4 inches | 12.9 x 11.6 inches | 13.1 x 10.8 inches | 11.6 x 9.0 inches | TBD |
| Dimensions (metric) | 305 x 275mm | 288 x 265mm | 327 x 295mm | 333 x 274mm | 295 x 230mm | TBD |
| Height | 2.09 inches (53mm) | 1.54 inches (39mm) | 2.17 inches (55mm) | 3.1 in (79mm) | 2.5 in (64mm) | TBD |
| Weight | 6.2 pounds (2.8kg) | 4.6 pounds (2.1kg) | 7.3 pounds (3.3kg) | 7.8 pounds (3.5kg) | 6.4 pounds (2.9kg) | TBD |
| Optical drive | Blu-ray, DVD | Blu-ray, DVD | Blu-ray, DVD | Blu-ray, DVD | 4K Blu-ray, DVD | TBD |
| Game compatibility | PS4, select PS3 with PS Now subscription³ | PS4, select PS3 with PS Now subscription³ | PS4, select PS3 with PS Now subscription³ | Xbox One, select Xbox 360 | Xbox One, select Xbox 360 | Xbox One⁹ |
| Inputs | 2x USB 3.0, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x PS Camera | 2x USB 3.1, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x PS Camera | 3x USB 3.1, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x PS Camera | 3x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI-in, 1x Kinect | 3x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI-in | TBD |
| Networking | 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only), Bluetooth 2.1 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Ethernet | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0 | TBD |
| Controller | Bluetooth connection, 3.5mm headset jack, Li-ion battery rechargeable w/ Micro-USB | Bluetooth or direct USB connect, 3.5mm headset jack, Li-ion battery rechargeable w/ Micro-USB | Bluetooth or direct USB connect, 3.5mm headset jack, Li-ion battery rechargeable w/ Micro-USB | Proprietary 2.4GHz wireless, 3.5mm audio jack. 2x AA batteries or optional rechargeable pack | Proprietary 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio jack. 2x AA batteries or optional rechargeable pack | All existing Xbox One accessories including controller will work |
| Optical audio output | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | TBD |
| Power supply | Internal 250W | Internal 165W | Internal 310W | External (wattage unknown) | Internal (wattage unknown) | TBD |
| Colors | Black, white⁴ | Black | Black | Black, white⁴ | White | TBD (Black) |
| Notable extras | PS VR compatibility | Easy-access hard drive replacement, PS VR compatibility | PS VR compatibility, enhanced graphics in existing PS4 titles⁵ | Built-in IR blaster | Enhanced graphics in existing Xbox One titles, VR support |
Footnotes:
- Intensive games on PS4 and Xbox One actually display at resolutions as low as 720p
- HDR support will come to PS4 and PS4 Slim with a September 2016 firmware update
- PlayStation Now is not yet available in Australia, and costs as much as $20 / £13 monthly
- Special Edition PS4 and Xbox One bundles come in other colors
- In a press release, Sony states that PS4 Pro "delivers 1080p resolution for all PS4 games," but the reality is much more complicated (and amazing). Also, the PS4 Pro has an extra 1GB of RAM!
- 1.31 TFLOP and 1.4 TFLOP are estimates based on 853MHz and 914MHz clockspeeds
- We've had trouble fact-checking this spec, though it was widely reported.
- Microsoft's Phil Spencer has stated Scorpio will cost more than Xbox One S.
- To our knowledge, Microsoft hasn't officially confirmed that Xbox 360 games will work with Scorpio.
At the end of the day, each of Sony's consoles will play the same games as one another, and each of Microsoft's consoles will play the same games as one another, even if Sony games and Microsoft games won't necessarily be the same.
Your friends on PlayStation Network will travel with you across Sony's consoles, and your Xbox Live friends will travel with you across Microsoft's systems (including Windows PC). Your console accessories should all come along for the ride too.
The only real questions are how much you can afford to pay, how much graphical fidelity you need, and if you believe virtual reality is truly the next generation of gaming.