In an unexpected turn of events, Xbox fans are finding themselves facing an uncomfortable reality: the once unbeatable value of the Xbox Series S has been overshadowed by recent price hikes. With Microsoft’s announcement this week that it is raising prices across its consoles, accessories, and games, it’s hard to ignore how PlayStation is offering a better deal right now, especially with the PS5 Slim Digital.
The Price Gap Narrowing: How Xbox’s Price Hike Affects Value
Let’s break it down. Sony is currently offering a PS5 Slim Digital for $399.99, bundled with the critically acclaimed Astro Bot Game of the Year 2024. This bundle is a full $50 cheaper than the standard PS5 Slim, which doesn’t include the game. The value is undeniably there, and for those on the fence, it’s difficult to ignore how this compares to Xbox’s recent price increases.
The Xbox Series S, which has always been seen as a value entry point for next-gen gaming, has now become harder to recommend. As of this month, Microsoft raised the price of the standard 512GB Xbox Series S from $299.99 to $379.99. Meanwhile, the 1TB model now sits at $429.99, a $80 jump from its original price of $349.99. This pricing shift has narrowed the gap between the Series S and PlayStation’s offerings uncomfortably, making the PS5 Slim Digital 1TB now $30 cheaper than the equivalent Xbox Series S with 1TB storage.
Why PlayStation is Suddenly the Better Deal
For those eyeing a more affordable console with similar specs, the PS5 Slim Digital stands out in comparison to the Xbox Series S, especially now that the price gap has narrowed. The PS5 Slim Digital is priced at $449.99, and unlike the Xbox Series S, it doesn’t come with any technical compromises. Additionally, bundles like the Astro Bot edition are available for less than the base Xbox Series S price, making it an even better deal for those interested in the PlayStation ecosystem.
Let’s take a look at the specs of the Xbox Series S 1TB and the PS5 Slim Digital 1TB to understand where the value lies. While both consoles support up to 120fps and share a similar storage capacity, the PS5 Slim Digital shines in terms of performance:
- Xbox Series S 1TB: 3.6 GHz 8-core CPU, 4 TFLOPs GPU, 10GB RAM, 1440p with 4K upscaling
- PS5 Slim Digital 1TB: 3.5GHz 8-core CPU (variable frequency), 10.28 TFLOPS GPU, 16GB RAM, Up to 8K resolution
As you can see, the PS5 Slim Digital not only outperforms the Xbox Series S in terms of graphical power, but it also offers more RAM, giving it a clear edge in performance. For those seeking long-term value, PlayStation offers more bang for your buck in terms of both hardware and performance.
The Design Dilemma: Xbox Series S vs PS5 Slim Digital
There’s also a design philosophy to consider. The Xbox Series S sacrifices some performance and graphical fidelity in favor of a compact and portable design. As a lighter version of the Xbox Series X, the Series S appeals to those looking for portability without breaking the bank. However, its lack of graphical punch may turn off hardcore gamers who value higher resolutions and performance.
On the other hand, the PS5 Slim Digital offers identical performance to the disc-drive version and leaves room for future upgrades with the option to add a drive later on. This flexibility makes the PS5 Slim Digital an appealing choice for those who may want to expand their console’s capabilities over time.
Xbox’s Strengths Still Stand: Game Pass and Ecosystem Loyalty
Despite the price hike, it’s important to note that Xbox continues to offer tremendous value in its own right. For gamers who are heavily invested in the Xbox ecosystem, Xbox Game Pass remains an unbeatable service, offering access to a huge library of games for a monthly fee. Features like cross-platform purchasing, Play Anywhere, and free cloud saving make it a highly consumer-friendly platform.
Additionally, for those loyal to Xbox exclusives, such as Forza, Sea of Thieves, and Indiana Jones, the Xbox Series S still offers access to these titles, and it may be the better choice for those who are heavily invested in the platform.
PlayStation is the Better Value Right Now
Ultimately, for those who aren’t deeply embedded in the Xbox ecosystem and are looking for the best value, the PS5 Slim Digital is the clear winner right now. With a better performance-to-price ratio, more RAM, and more flexibility in terms of storage and upgrades, PlayStation offers the better deal. If you’re not already tied to Xbox Game Pass or have a preference for Xbox exclusives, it’s hard to ignore the superior value that PlayStation is offering at this moment in time.
Is the Xbox Series S Still Worth It?
While I still have a fondness for my Xbox Series S, and it remains a great option for gamers seeking portability, the recent price hike makes it much harder to recommend to new players. For those looking to get into next-gen gaming without breaking the bank, PlayStation’s offerings are simply more tempting right now.
