**The console war has been raging for years. The question keeps popping up: Should you go for a PlayStation from Sony or an Xbox from Microsoft? We’ll compare the two consoles in the following article.**
### Hardware Differences between PlayStation and Xbox
There are certain differences in the hardware of the consoles from both manufacturers. The popular models are the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. Both consoles are available in a “regular” version and a version for purely digital games. The disc-less variant of the Xbox Series X is called Series S, and the corresponding counterpart to the PlayStation 5 is called PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. We have compiled the technical specifications for all four consoles in the table below. Both consoles are available in a “regular” version and a version for purely digital games. The disc-less variant of the Xbox Series X is called _Series S_, and the corresponding counterpart to the PlayStation 5 is called _PlayStation 5 Digital Edition_. Here, you can directly see the size comparison between an Xbox Series S (left) and a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (right). Both consoles are the disc-less variants. ×
The consoles differ in size and weight, as can be seen in the image above. Here is an overview of the exact dimensions of each model:
### Backward Compatibility of Current Consoles
The current generation Xbox, the Series X, features backward compatibility all the way back to the very first Xbox console. Most of the games from this original console and its successors Xbox 360 and Xbox One can still be played on the Series X. Simply insert the respective disc into your console to play them. The disc-less Xbox Series S, however, lacks this compatibility. The latest PlayStation, the PlayStation 5, also offers backward compatibility. However, the PS5 can only play PS4 games alongside its own games. If you have discs for the PS3 or older, you cannot use them. An interesting feature, though, is the free upgrade of PS4 games: Many digital PS4 games released after the launch of the PS5 have a free upgrade for the PS5.
### Games on the Different Consoles
**Exclusive Titles on PlayStation and Xbox**
Most games are released for all three major platforms – PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. But there are also a few games that are only playable on an Xbox or only on a PlayStation. You cannot play these games on the other console. However, some of the exclusive games are also available on PC.
**These are the Game Subscriptions available from the two manufacturers**
Both Sony and Microsoft offer a monthly subscription model for games. With these subscriptions, you don’t get new games every month, but you gain access to a variety of games for each paid month. On Xbox, this subscription model is known as “Xbox Game Pass,” while on PlayStation, you can access the game library through “PlayStation Now.”
### Which Console Should I Buy?
In the end, it’s your decision whether you’d rather buy an Xbox or a PlayStation. Nevertheless, we have compiled some additional decision-making aids for you here:
