Xbox One X vs PS4 Pro? What is the best choice? Depends on several factors. Both consoles are powerhouse versions of the current generation. (even though Microsoft argues that Xbox won’t have generations, as we know them, anymore). And will get something games as their base siblings. Before buying a new console (let’s say you don’t have PS4 nor Xbox One right now), I’d consider some factors:
CPU
Both consoles have improved their CPU slightly compared to the original PS4 and Xbox One. Their CPUs still have eight cores, although the Xbox One X has a slight advantage over the PS4 Pro. As its CPU runs at 2.3 GHz while that of the PS4 Pro runs at 2.1 GHz.
GPU
Now, this is where the biggest improvements can be seen. Both consoles present a massive improvement in the graphics department, with the PS4 Pro having a 4.2 TFLOP GPU and the Xbox One X having a 6 TFLOP one. Furthermore, the PS4 Pro has 8 GB of RAM with an extra 1 GB reserved for background processes. While the Xbox One X has a total of 12 GB. Both of them use GDDR5 memory.
Xbox One X vs PS4 Pro – Graphics/Performance
Being released a year after the PS4 Pro, the Xbox One X has a 40–50% spec bump over the rival platform. This is enough for games to run on native 4K, sometimes even at 60fps. This applies to many multiplatform titles, and you can already find a lot of comparison videos on YouTube (i recommend DigitalFoundry). These upgrades are enjoyed best on a 4K TV with HDR10 support (offers 1 billion colors). You will enjoy HDR on a PS4 Pro as well, but the native 4K element is rarer here than on the Xbox One X. That being said, not everything on One X runs in native 2160p, but there’s plenty of titles that do, including some big names. There’s a $100 difference in price, though.
Games
Many games are available for both PlayStation and Xbox. On both sides, there are certain exclusives available only for that platform. Titles such as Uncharted, The Last of Us, Nioh, NieR: Automata, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Bloodborne, and the upcoming Spiderman game are available only on PlayStation. Also, each one of them is a single-player, story-driven game. On the opposite side, the Xbox builds on long-running series with the multiplayer element, such as Halo, Gears of War, and Forza, alongside “uncommon” IPs, including Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, Cuphead, Ryse: Son of Rome, and this December, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. From my perspective, the Xbox is mostly about the multiplayer experience, either local or online. The online component is paid on both consoles (PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold). If you love racing games, I’d certainly go for the Xbox since there are already 5 Forza titles available versus two tags on PS4 (Gran Turismo Sport, Driveclub). If you’re more into storyline-based games (Action/Adventure), then definitely choose the PS4.
VR
Since there’s no VR currently available on the Xbox One X, you can enjoy it only on PS4 Pro. Not sure when VR will be made available on Xbox since Microsoft considers having a truly wireless solution for Xbox, basically built on the technology that debuted within the Kinect sensor.
Family
Another thing worth considering is the family factor. While the PlayStation is focused more on the older audience, the Xbox offers more family-friendly titles, including recently released Disneyland Adventures and Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure, to name a few. PlayStation has some kid-friendly games too, like Ratchet & Clank or Knack, but once again, it’s more about singleplayer than multiplayer. You can also buy a Kinect for Xbox, even though it’s been discontinued, for some movement-based games. Most of them are available only as digital downloads on the Xbox Store.
Xbox One X vs PS4 Pro – Services
Both consoles offer some assistance, but I’d say that the Xbox offers more benefits. The PlayStation Plus gives you the ability to play games online. Some premium discounts in PlayStation Store, and give you the ability to download free games each month for your PS4, PS3, and PS Vita. The Xbox Live Gold offers you pretty much the same, plus you can play Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles on Xbox One thanks to backward compatibility (which is free for all and houses 450+ games currently). The Xbox offers services such as Xbox Game Pass and EA Access, giving you access (pun intended) to 100+ and 40+ titles, respectively, for a monthly bargain cost. Also, 2016 and newer Xbox exclusive titles. If bought digitally, can be downloaded and played on a Windows 10 PC, complete with your saves, stats, and achievements. Titles such as Middle-earth: Shadow of War support the program as well. On the rival side, Sony offers the PlayStation Now streaming service that allows you to stream titles from PS3 and PS4 (including some exclusives) to a PC or other compatible devices.
Price
Xbox One X is $499 (Rs. 40,000) and PS4 Pro is $399 (Rs. 33,000). The price on both the consoles is very much justified! Why? Because Sony and Microsoft both sell their consoles at a loss. Xbox One X and PS4 Pro both have a manufacturing cost higher than their selling price. Nevertheless, both Sony and Microsoft earn from the ridiculously priced games and Xbox Gold and PS Plus membership. Due to which their losses are covered instantly; still PS4 Pro is cheaper, but seeing that you can keep playing on these consoles for ten years, their yearly cost comes out to be $40 or $50 (excluding the games), which you can afford. PS4 Pro wins
Xbox One X vs PS4 Pro – Hardware
This is the part you should be least concerned about as Sony and Microsoft already handle this department. You can game on 4K in both of them, and they will run games even after ten years later, smoothly. The image quality difference will be almost negligible, undifferentiable to a native eye sitting 6–10 feet away from the screen. However, you should note that Xbox One X will run most of the games at 60FPS and some at 30FPS and PS4 Pro will run only a few games at 60FPS and mostly at 30FPS. You will not feel laggy in 30FPS, but if you game largely at 60FPS and try a game at 30FPS, it will feel a bit laggy. Xbox One X wins.