From somebody who cancelled guaranteed orders at launch for both consoles. Ended up getting both in the end and sold one of them last week (mainly to lack of available gaming time).....

You can't get it terribly wrong really because they both do a good job. I think yourself and other have raised some very valid points. The biggest one in my opinion is which exclusives you want/will enjoy the most? Add gamepass value into that weighting and your there.

Basically, how much do you actually like (as in will play and love) those big PS Exclusives? Is that more fun/value than gamepass to you?

Only by teenagers

I personally like the Xbox/ Switch Pro offset sticks, and the Wii U pro controllers stick placement was also comfortable to me. The Playstation controller was good back in the day we use the d pad more, but it's hard for me to get use to now.

I mean it's not really a decision I can make for you. I am big into physical games and so GamePass doesn't appeal to me but that's just me. What I will say however is that if you do switch then the game library issue can be fixed (assuming your purchases are physical) by selling your Xbox One games and buying the PS4 versions of them used. Hope you enjoy whichever you choose :)

Personally, I would absolutely own a console for just one game that I could see myself putting many hours into. And when I’m not using it to game, it runs Spotify, Netflix, YouTube, etc.

Get the ps5 then. You can play every xbox game on your One S except Flight Simulator, Scorn and Gotham Knights. They won't look as good as they will on Series X but you have access to them. Anything else that is current gen only is on PS5.

PS5 starts you off with 19 classics + 3-5 games per month if you get the base $60 subscription. The $100 subscription will get you this plus another 400 games. Many if which will are the PS exclusives you've been missing.

I just got a PS5 a week ago. Had an Xbox One X since it came out. Here are my thoughts:

• Games are king. Of course. If there is a must-play exclusive, then your decision is made. Assuming you don't have a PC.
• If you're thinking about getting a Series X, technically it's the more powerful system (we'll see whether or not PS5 "Pro" has anything to say about that). Both systems are going to compromise in either fidelity/quality, and performance/frames per second, so pick your poison on that front - neither is a PC, of course.
• PS5's storage is, effectively, twice as fast as Xbox Series, which could lead to some amazing things down the road, other than just fast load times. May or may not see use from devs, though.
• Xbox Series storage expansion is more expensive and proprietary, but, also, easier to install (plug it in), easier to swap between systems, and you can have as many as you want, and you can just start a catalog of memory cards if you need to, whereas on a PS5, when your internal storage and expanded storage m.2 port are full, you have to start swapping game installs to and from a USB drive if you're looking to play PS5 games that couldn't fit on the system storage. Proprietary, easier to use & transport, contained SSDs actually win this battle, if you ask me.
• UI doesn't really matter in the end. You're playing games, not menus. You'll adapt, either way.
• GamePass is an absolutely insane value. Plenty of first-party and third-party masterpieces, plus a ton of small dev/indie hidden gems that you can try and potentially fall in love with, as my wife, kid, and I all have.
• Playstation also has a lot of good games on PS+, but not the volume or variety of GamePass.
• Xbox has amazing backwards compatibility, in case you come across something from any of the previous generation that appeals to you.
• Series controller has better ergonomics, and the left analog stick being at the "neutral" thumb position makes way more sense for way more games than having a D-pad as the easier-to-reach option.
• DualSense controller has a built-in mic, mic & audio mute button (even mutes the TV if no headset is connected), touchpad, higher fidelity haptics (versus the small motors in Xbox's "Impulse" triggers), Adaptive Triggers (seriously amazing, I absolutely love it to pieces - personally, I'm big on physical immersion), a built-in speaker, and RGB lighting that games can tap into. It's an amazing controller, just not as ergonomic as the Series controller in the grips or analog stick placement. I'm disappointed all Xbox really added to the Xbox Series controller was a capture/record button, and slightly better grip ergonomics.
• Xbox Series' D-pad is actually too tactile and loud for my tastes (and I'm over here building a Kailh Box Navy keyboard). Xbox Series' bumpers are better than on the Xbox One controller's. Playstation's R1/L1 are crisp, but, at the same time, relaxed, much more muted souding (rubber domes vs Xbox's microswitches, I think). Xbox's triggers have a relatively consistent amount of force all the way through, whereas you can feel the spring forces increase slightly on DualSense. Xbox's triggers have a rubber stop at full-pull, so they have a nice "thock" sound to them when pulled quickly, whereas the DualShock, while not loud like Xbox 360, isn't as satisfying. Those Adaptive Triggers, when used by a game, though... glorious.
• It can be very convenient to swap a battery pack/AA batteries, and also have the option of a charging dock, etc. with Xbox's controller , whereas with DualSense you're not given the choice/if a controller didn't charge, you must plug it in, or wait for it to charge (the included cable isn't long enough for couch play).
• Personally, I think the Forza/Forza Horizon series is more fun than the racers on Playstation, and I have no intention of buying any for the PS5, currently. Granted, I have enough racers on PC, and a steering wheel setup.
• As far as I can tell, Sony's Pulse 3D audio processing for headphones sounds better than Windows Sonic (built in 3D protocol on Xbox). Dolby Atmos for Headphones or DTS:X on Xbox might match the quality of Sony's solution, but those other Xbox solutions cost extra. Sony's implementation also has 3D audio for the built-in speakers of your TV (I haven't tried that yet since I have a 5.1 speaker setup, not sure if it's any good).
• PSVR2 might be amazing. The hardware seems like it might be. Also: Adaptive Triggers in the controllers for that. Xbox is staying far away from VR (crazy, if you ask me). So, if you're even remotely interested, PS is your only console choice there. I also have plenty of gripes about my Quest 2, and self-contained/wireless VR, so PSVR2 being wired, rather than wireless isn't actually a detriment, IMO. If PSVR2 works on PC at all, and/or allows Beat Saber mods (that's not going to happen), I'd sell my Quest 2, actually. Wife requires custom songs, though, so that's how it is.

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So, I got along just fine without the handful of "must play" PS games of the past generation and a half (not a ton of variety, if you ask me - a bunch of gritty, emo, third-person, action-adventure games with the same camera POV, similar mechanics, chock full of QTEs, etc., just different enemies, stories, and heroes at the helm). Honestly, I think I missed out on more variety and hidden gems on PS3, my being a 360 guy back then. I straight up miss the variety and insanity (in a good way) that was the PS2 library...

When I think about it, the only reason I got an Xbox One X was because my friend was on the platform already, and wanted to play Monster Hunter World together. But, also, in hindsight, GamePass is stupid good, and I really do love Halo 5, and keep going back to it even after Infinite came out, so no actual regrets.

If I were you, since you still have a Series S, I would say keep it, and keep playing awesome GamePass stuff, etc., and keep access to the library of games you own, etc. But, also grab a PS5 (disc edition) and pick up some used discs of PS4 and PS5 games that you think are worthwhile. Then, if you're not completely sold on Playstation, you can sell the whole lot of hardware and discs (instead of having invested/locked yourself into their digital store) and get whatever you want at a later date. You'll lose some cash in the trade, but you'll be entertained by a PS5 and have been able to give that library a chance.

Let me know if you have questions/things you want me to test/try/feel for on the PS5. I'm good at feeling things. I don't actually have PS5 games yet/my PS+ trial just expired today and I'm not re-upping it for now (single income household, already doing GamePass and a Minecraft Realm, I don't need more video games). Definitely buying FFVII Remake sooner than later, though...

I have both and I have to say, that's a tough choice to make but I would lean towards the Playstation 5.

I love the PS5 controller. When the haptic feedback in the triggers is incorporated properly into a game, it really does feel like an evolution forward in controls. The other aspect of the PS5 is Playstation VR 2. Not sure how you feel about VR but from what I've read and seen, it looks like it's going to really help VR take off and will definitely offer unique experiences that you can only get on Playstation.

The Xbox is nice, but it is sometimes too familiar of an experience for me. The controller is mostly unchanged. The UI is still awful. Halo and Forza really are my main reasons for owning one and I can not wait for the new Forza.

I think in the end, if you're purely gaming on console, the Playstation 5 offers more of a next generation console experience. The difference between my One X and Series X is more akin to upgrading your phone after a year or two. Yea, it's better specs and everything, but there's nothing really transformative about it. The way you interact with it is the same.

The Playstation 5 is truly a different experience from the Playstation 4. Menu, features, controller all make playing even familiar games feel different.

Here in Canada that would be about $140 cad. PS4 pros sell for closer to $200 cad

Good choice

I choose ps5 but you can't go wrong with either

I voted for asymmetrical but it's not always a guaranteed thing. It just so happens that I largely use the left analog stick and the face buttons to play most games so it's comfortable having both my thumbs in the same spot.

I prefer PS5 but idk if it's worth switching

I would go ps5 but they are both good

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if you're ducking rich, PS5. If not, Series X. If you just want something to play new generation games, Series S

I have both and if I had to chose one it'd be the Xbox for all stuff on my account over the years, game pass, backwards compatibility, quick resume. The Ps5 controller is fantastic, I think I currently like the feel of it more than the Xbox controller but the rumble features are kind of gimmicky. If you do go for a ps5 and end up not liking it you can easily re sell it and make all your money back to get a new Xbox and you'll still have all your stuff waiting for you. Also PlayStation plus premium would help get you started for games, not a bad alternative to game pass imo

Just get both best of both worlds

I've had PlayStations my entire gaming life and am a big fan of the PS exclusives. That being said, I bought a series S for gamepass and would say 100% go xbox over PlayStation.

Go PlayStation if you want the biggest single player experiences (god of war ps4 was a masterpiece) but go xbox for usability, interface, gamepass.

Get the new xbox and a used ps4 while selling your old xbox.

So you can experience the exclusives for some years to come and you‘ll keep your xbox Library

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Xbox definitely.

I am exactly in the same position as you. Go towards the games you want. Cloud gaming is becoming big you can use your xbox 1 s for lots of games if you have gamepass ultimate. The way I see it if I get a series x than my xbox 1 s doesn't get used but if I get a ps5 I can still use the xbox 1 s for old games and for cloud gaming.

Ps5 has amazing exclusives and you can use that for the next gen games.

Many games are also cross platform.

Just some advice in the end compare all your factors before buying. In the end both consoles are great.

I'm an xbox fan boy I tried ps in past was ok but I just liked xbox so much better now my ps is in our home office we just use it to watch streaming apps

Lol no problem 😊