Xbox Series S vs PS5 Digital Edition
Put the Xbox Series S next to the PS5 Digital Edition and you have Microsoft and Sony going after exactly the same home console crowd. On the overall scorecard, the PS5 Digital Edition is ahead: 2 of 2 areas, with memory & storage doing the heavy lifting. Then there’s the $101 question: that’s how much more the PS5 Digital Edition launched at compared with the Xbox Series S.
At a glance
- Performance PS5 Digital Edition wins
- Memory & Storage PS5 Digital Edition wins
- Price Xbox Series S wins
- Performance2.9
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage6.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The PS5 Digital Edition has 157% more GPU compute
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the PS5 Digital Edition makes its strongest case: 10.28 TFLOPS against 4 TFLOPS. Teraflops don’t capture everything (memory, upscaling and optimization matter too), but they’re a useful yardstick.
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The PS5 Digital Edition has 313 GB more built-in storage
The PS5 Digital Edition clearly leads on built-in storage, and 825 GB versus 512 GB is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. With the PS5 Digital Edition, you can keep more games ready to play without deleting old favorites.
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The PS5 Digital Edition has 6 GB more memory
On system memory, the PS5 Digital Edition posts 16 GB against 10 GB for the Xbox Series S, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. More system memory gives games room for bigger worlds, sharper textures and faster streaming of assets.
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The Xbox Series S has a 4.34 lb lighter body
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 4.25 lb for the Xbox Series S versus 8.60 lb for the PS5 Digital Edition. For home consoles, weight mostly matters when moving them; for handhelds, it matters every minute you play.
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The PS5 Digital Edition has 100% more memory bandwidth
The Xbox Series S lists 224 GB/s; the PS5 Digital Edition comes in at 448 GB/s. That’s not a rounding error. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the console can move data to its GPU, which matters for high resolutions.
Design & Size
- Xbox Series S 10.83 in × 2.52 in × 5.94 in
- PS5 Digital Edition 15.35 in × 3.62 in × 10.24 in
Size-wise, the PS5 Digital Edition takes up more space, and the Xbox Series S is easier to fit where room is tight. If lightness matters, note the 4.34 lb gap in favor of the Xbox Series S.
Design & Size
| Spec | Xbox Series S | PS5 Digital Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 10.83 in | 15.35 in |
| Height | 2.52 in | 3.62 in |
| Depth | 5.94 in | 10.24 in |
| Weight | 4.25 lb (winner) Lightest in class | 8.60 lb |
Performance
PS5 Digital Edition leads
This is one of the PS5 Digital Edition’s strongest areas. On performance, the Xbox Series S falls well short. Point to the PS5 Digital Edition for 157% more GPU compute. The PS5 Digital Edition’s extra compute gives games more room for higher resolutions and richer effects. The takeaway: on performance, the PS5 Digital Edition is the stronger console.
GPU compute (FP32)
Xbox Series S: 4 TFLOPS PS5 Digital Edition: 10.28 TFLOPS GPU compute is a headline figure for graphics power, and more of it usually means sharper images or smoother frame rates.
Memory & Storage
PS5 Digital Edition leads
The PS5 Digital Edition wins the memory & storage section decisively. The PS5 Digital Edition takes this one with 313 GB more built-in storage. Check the expansion options in the table; extra storage can often be added later, at a cost. So if memory & storage tops your list, lean toward the PS5 Digital Edition.
Built-in storage
Xbox Series S: 512 GB PS5 Digital Edition: 825 GB Modern games are large, so more built-in storage means fewer installs to juggle.
System memory
Xbox Series S: 10 GB PS5 Digital Edition: 16 GB The PS5 Digital Edition’s extra memory is a form of future-proofing for more demanding games.
Features & Media
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the features & media details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | Xbox Series S | PS5 Digital Edition |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8 cores | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores / 16 threads |
| CPU max clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.50 GHz |
| GPU | Custom AMD RDNA 2, 1.565 GHz | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based, up to 2.23 GHz |
| GPU compute units | 20 Fewest GPU compute units | 36 |
| GPU compute (FP32)Manufacturer figure | 4 TFLOPS | 10.28 TFLOPS (winner) |
| Max output resolution | 1440p target; 4K upscaled output | 8K output; 4K at 120 Hz |
| Max frame rate | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Hardware ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Xbox Series S | PS5 Digital Edition |
|---|---|---|
| System memory | 10 GB | 16 GB (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 448 GB/s (winner) |
| Built-in storage | 512 GB | 825 GB (winner) |
| Storage type | Custom NVMe SSD | Custom NVMe SSD |
| Storage expansion | Storage Expansion Card slot; USB 3.1 external drive | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; USB extended storage |
Features & Media
| Spec | Xbox Series S | PS5 Digital Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | None | None |
| Handheld play | No | No |
| Built-in screen | None | None |
| Backward compatibility | Xbox One and select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games | Most PS4 games |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 |
Design & Size
| Spec | Xbox Series S | PS5 Digital Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 10.83 in | 15.35 in |
| Height | 2.52 in | 3.62 in |
| Depth | 5.94 in | 10.24 in |
| Weight | 4.25 lb (winner) Lightest in class | 8.60 lb |
Price
| Spec | Xbox Series S | PS5 Digital Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $299 (winner) Lowest price in class | $400 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The PS5 Digital Edition asked for $101 more at launch. That gap of 34% has to be justified by the specs. What does the PS5 Digital Edition’s extra $101 actually get you? Mainly 157% more GPU compute and 313 GB more built-in storage.
Launch prices in the US as of November 2020; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Xbox Series S if…
- you move your console between rooms or take it on trips (4.25 lb vs 8.60 lb)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($101 less)
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
Choose the PS5 Digital Edition if…
- you want more GPU compute for sharper, smoother games (10.28 TFLOPS vs 4 TFLOPS)
- you want room for more games before juggling installs (825 GB vs 512 GB)
- you want more system memory (16 GB vs 10 GB)
- you care about how fast the hardware can feed its GPU (448 GB/s vs 224 GB/s)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Xbox Series S or the PS5 Digital Edition?
We’d point most buyers to the PS5 Digital Edition. The main exception is if your top priority is a 4.34 lb lighter body.
Which is larger, the Xbox Series S or the PS5 Digital Edition?
Going by the official dimensions, the PS5 Digital Edition is the larger one: 15.35 × 3.62 × 10.24 in against the Xbox Series S’s 10.83 × 2.52 × 5.94 in.
Which is faster, the Xbox Series S or the PS5 Digital Edition?
The PS5 Digital Edition has the edge in performance thanks to 157% more GPU compute.
Is the Xbox Series S cheaper than the PS5 Digital Edition?
The PS5 Digital Edition launched at $101 more than the Xbox Series S, based on prices as of November 2020.
Which weighs less, the Xbox Series S or the PS5 Digital Edition?
On the scale, the Xbox Series S comes out ahead at 4.34 lb lighter than the PS5 Digital Edition.
Does the Xbox Series S have more storage than the PS5 Digital Edition?
The PS5 Digital Edition offers more, with 825 GB against 512 GB.
Executive Summary
Here’s my honest read on a classic rivalry: Microsoft’s Xbox Series S against Sony’s PS5 Digital Edition. I’d put 157% more GPU compute at the top of the list, and it belongs to the PS5 Digital Edition. Nor should you ignore that the PS5 Digital Edition has 313 GB more built-in storage. Where the Xbox Series S fights back is a 4.34 lb lighter body.
I’d steer portability fans toward the Xbox Series S and performance fans toward the PS5 Digital Edition.
My pick: the PS5 Digital Edition, though I’d happily point you to the Xbox Series S if you need a 4.34 lb lighter body, which only the Xbox Series S offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.