Console comparison
PlayStation 5 (disc) vs Xbox Series S
Compared on price, graphics throughput, storage and the thing specifications never capture: what each one is actually for.
Verified September 26, 2026Prices from secondary reporting — confirm with a retailer
Sony
PlayStation 5 (disc)
$649.99 · 4K
Microsoft
Xbox Series S
$499.99 · 1440p
Amazon UK search links are provided for current availability; no affiliate programme is currently configured, and no live price is claimed here. Affiliate disclosure.
| Specification | PlayStation 5 (disc) | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | ||
| Maker | Sony | Microsoft |
| US MSRP | ||
| US MSRP | $649.99UK RRP £569.99 | Winner: $499.99UK RRP £429.99 |
| Price source | ||
| Price source | Reference source | Reference source |
| GPU throughput | ||
| GPU throughput | Winner: 10.28 TFLOPS | 4 TFLOPS |
| Storage | ||
| Storage | Winner: 1000GB | 512GB |
| SSD throughput | ||
| SSD throughput | Winner: 5.5 GB/s | 2.4 GB/s |
| Target resolution | ||
| Target resolution | 4K | 1440p |
| Portable | ||
| Portable | No | No |
| Disc drive | ||
| Disc drive | included | none |
| UK street price | ||
| UK street price | Search Amazon (opens in new tab) | Search Amazon (opens in new tab) |
US MSRP is the reported RRP for the standard configuration — not a live UK street price. Use the Amazon UK buttons to check current UK availability.
PlayStation 5 (disc)
The mainstream PlayStation: lower graphics throughput than Xbox Series X but a considerably faster SSD.
Best for
- PlayStation exclusives
- Fast loading
- Most players who do not need Pro fidelity
Watch out
UK RRP from PlayStation Blog: Slim digital £519.99, Slim disc £569.99, Pro £789.99. This catalog row is the disc model; digital is cheaper. The 1TB drive still fills quickly — plan for an expansion drive.
Xbox Series S
The cheapest current Xbox: digital-only, 512GB, and aimed at 1440p rather than competing on 4K fidelity.
Best for
- Budget Game Pass entry
- Digital-only households
- 1440p living-room play
Watch out
US 512GB MSRP $499.99 from 1 August 2026. UK post-hike: 512GB £429.99, 1TB £519.99 — the 512GB SKU sits just £10 above Switch 2’s £419.99 UK RRP (in effect since 1 September 2026). The 512GB drive fills quickly, and there is no disc drive — physical games need Series X or another platform.
Common questions
PlayStation 5 (disc) vs Xbox Series S
Answered from the verified figures on this page rather than general guidance.