You Can Buy a Fully-Fledged PS5 for the Same Price as a Less Powerful Xbox Series S Right Now

There was significant concern at the beginning of the generation regarding the underpowered Xbox Series S and its potential repercussions on the PS5.

For many couch analysts back then, Microsoft had discovered a clever tactic: its more budget-friendly next-gen hardware would assist in attracting customers, and combined with the apparently relentless momentum of Game Pass, it would dominate the console competition.

However, the situation hasn’t really unfolded that way: although the Xbox Series S experienced great initial sales – notably when hardware availability was restricted due to the pandemic – numerous developers expressed dissatisfaction with its lack of performance. This has consequently led to delays in significant multiplatform titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Black Myth: Wukong, effectively turning them into PS5 timed console exclusives.

To complicate matters further, a tumultuous economic landscape has led to hardware costs increasing since launch, resulting in the Xbox Series S now selling for $399.99, compared to its original price of $299.99.

While the PS5 has also experienced price hikes, Sony has offered numerous Black Friday reductions to help enhance sales throughout the holiday season.

This means you can currently secure a fully-featured PS5 Slim for $399.99, which is not only substantially more powerful than Microsoft’s offering but also boasts nearly twice the storage capacity. (You’d need to spend $449.99 on the Xbox Series S to approach the 825GB provided with a PS5 Slim.)

Xbox has yet to declare any hardware promotions for the holiday season, which certainly worsens this comparison.

This illustrates how the priorities of the platform holders have shifted: Sony remains keen to expand its user base, while Microsoft – now launching most of its games on multiple platforms – is more focused on generating revenue.

Interestingly, this comparison could deteriorate further: there are rumors that Xbox may be compelled to raise its prices again due to ongoing increases in RAM costs. Sony, for the record, is reported to have stockpiled inventory, thus ensuring safety for now.

We should mention that an Xbox Series X, which is comparable in power to a PS5, is currently priced at $649.99. While that variant includes a disc drive, Sony’s Blu-ray model is available for $449.99 this Black Friday – resulting in a $200 savings.

Could any of you have envisaged this scenario at the beginning of the generation?

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