As someone looking to purchase a 4K console, I can imagine you are wondering if the Xbox One X or PS4 Pro is the better choice for your gaming setup. I decided to research the internet so I can best answer this question for you and others like you.
Xbox One X has more graphical power than the PS4 Pro, it’s RAM, CPU, GPU are better than the PS4 Pro and it’s the best choice to play third party games. and has an ultra HD blue-ray player. But the PS4 Pro was far better exclusives and PlayStation VR which the Xbox One X lacks.
However, the real answer is a lot more complicated as whilst similar these consoles have a lot of differences both in the graphical power and the individual console ecosystem. These have to be understood before making a purchase decision and this post is helping you do exactly that!
PS4 Pro Vs Xbox One X Hardware Comparison
| Xbox One X | PS4 Pro | |
| Price | $339 | $339 |
| Dimensions | 11.81 in x 9.45 in x 2.36 inches (30cm x 24cm x 6cm) | 12.8 x 11.6 x 2.1 inches |
| Weight | 8.4lbs (3.81 kg) | 7.3 pounds(3.32 kg) |
| GPU | 6 teraflops | 4.2 teraflops |
| CPU | Custom CPU @ 2.3 GHz, 8 cores | 2.1 GHz 8-core |
| RAM | 9 GB of System RAM | 8GB GDDR5 RAM |
| Storage | 1 Terabyte | 1 Terabyte |
| Optical Drive | 4K Blue-Ray | Blue-ray |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes |
| 4K Support | Yes True 4K | Upscaled 4K |
At a small compact size, the Xbox One X is very powerful at only 11.81 in x 9.45 in x 2.36 inches and weighs heavier than the PS4 Pro at 8.4 pounds. Whilst it isn’t ugly by any means both the slim versions of the consoles the Xbox One S & the PS4 Slim look aesthetically better in my opinion.
The X doesn’t offer much in intuitive design and it simply 2 rectangle boxes stacked on top of each other. Check out this analysis between both the Xbox x & Xbox S to see the differences in detail.
The Playstation 4 Pro whilst lighter 7.3 pounds(3.32 kg) actually takes up more space at 15.6 x 11.6 x 2.6 inches so if console storage space is an issue take note.
The design is 3 stacks of black plastic stacked on top of each other and basically looks like a normal PS4 with another layer. It looks like a modern gaming console but the design despite the dimensions makes it take up a lot more space than the Xbox One.
Check out this comparison of the PS4 Pro and PS4 slim so you can see the physical differences from the consoles.
I believe the Xbox wins when it comes to hardware. Despite it being heavy to back so much power into a small package is an excellent feat of engineering by Microsoft. Regarding the design, it’s personal preference but I personally prefer the minimalist Xbox One X design more.
Winner: Xbox One X
Xbox One X Vs PS4 Pro Ports comparison
Every Xbox One has a lot of ports and the Xbox One X is no exception, it includes three USB 3.0s one is located on the front and 2 on the back, together with HDMI in and out port IR out, an ethernet jack and an S/PDIF(Sony/Philips Digital Interface). You need an adapter to use Kinect similar to the Xbox One as there is no direct input for the Kinect.
Whereas the PS4 Pro only has 2 USB 3.0 ports one at the front and another at the back. At the back of the console, you have an HDMI-out port, an optical port, with an auxiliary port a power port and an ethernet jack.
Whilst similar The Xbox One X has better ports with an additional USB 3.0 port and the HDMI for Xbox One allows you to connect your TV provider box wire directly into your Xbox so you can actually watch TV using your Xbox One X.
Xbox One X Vs PS4 Pro Graphical Power Comparison
As of writing the Xbox One X is the most powerful console ever made. It has a new custom build eight-core CPU which is responsible for the console to process instructions within the game and processing input from the player.
The GPU is 1.17 GHz which is the consoles graphics card, the higher the better. The GPU is a whopping 6 teraflop(kinda like horsepower in cars of computing power! This is over 4 times the power of the Xbox One S which had 1.4 teraflops of power.
RAM is how many applications your console can process at one time and the Xbox One X has a whopping 12GB of GDDR5 Ram which his enough for a solid 4K (3640 X 2160) gameplay at 60fps! Ths Xbox One X also supports high dynamic range like the PS4.
Whereas the PS4 Pro has the same processor as the PS4 but with an improved output of 2.1 GHz. It has 4.2 teraflops of power so 1.8 less than the X. It has 4 GB of Ram less than the X at 8GB. Whilst it has a “boost mode” which is designed to increase its graphical output in games many users have declared the supposed frame rates are not that consistent.
Whatever way you look at it Xbox One X is way more powerful than the PS4 Pro and is the best way to play third party games. as they will simply look and run the best due to the graphical power differences.
However, improved hardware doesn’t necessarily result in a better gaming experience. Please watch this video comparison which goes into detail about how hardware isn’t everything in how a system truly performs.
Winner: Xbox One X
Xbox One X Vs PS4 Pro 4K Comparison
The true next-generation quality of these consoles is they can both output 4K whether via gaming or streaming. However, only the Xbox One is capable of true 4K and the PS4 outputs 4K via a process called upscaling. Read my in-depth post on whether the PS4 Pro is true 4K or not.
The PS4 Pro does not have the graphical power to truly render 4K, instead, Sony uses a system called ‘checkerboarding’ which doubles the size of each separate 2×2 pixel block making it possible to run games at 4K resolution but only being able to process games at 2K resolution.
The checkboard process is quite difficult to understand but I will try to make it simple for you. Basically the PS4 Pro achieves visual trickery and to the naked eye, it is basically indistinguishable from true 4K. The issue is achieving this process is all down to the individual games developers so the checkboard upscaling will vary from game to game.
Although check out how gorgeous Horizon Zero Dawn looks on the PS4 Pro to really see checkboard 4K in action, I doubt you could tell the difference!
The Xbox One X is capable of actually outputting true 4K at a delicious 60fps, check out this list from Wikipedia of the entire library of enhanced Xbox games but just like with the PS4 it’s up to the individual developers to best optimise the X’s power.
Native Xbox games like Gears 5 & Halo 5 all look gorgeous and run at true 4K 60fps but third party developers who don’t make the effort like Rockstar with Red Dead Redemption 2 will ask you to choose between 4K at 30ps of 1080 at fps very similar to the PS4 Pros option with certain games like God Of War & Horizon Zero Dawn.
Check out this comparison between PS4 Pro & Xbox One X with Red Dead Redemption 2 and you really see the difference between the two consoles be sure to watch on the highest settings!
Winner Xbox One X
Xbox One X FreeSync 4K Technology
The Xbox One X & Windows PC’s uses a technology called “FreeSync” which is a technology that improves how a screen refreshes and reduces stuttering caused by improper alignment with the screen frame. This makes the Xbox X more capable of 4K than the PS4 Pro especially in games with very demanding 4K visuals.
Check out this visual tutorial on what FreeSync is to get a better understanding of what an Xbox One X can do.
However, you need a specific display that supports the FreeSync technology as the only TV with an HDMI 2.1 output and specific computer monitors that support FreeSync over HDMI. Most TV’s from 2019 onwards will support FreeSync but just be mindful if your TV does not.
PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X Virtual Reality
There is only one specialised VR headset for consoles and it’s the Playstation VR headset(get it from Amazon here) and Xbox currently does not have an alternative. You can get truly immersive experiences especially in the first-person horror game Resident Evil 7 that puts you into the action.
Check out these hilarious reactions which demonstrate how effective Playstation VR can be!
Whilst Microsoft has indeed released several VR headsets that work on Windows 10 PC’s (read about them here) strangely they have made no effects in creating one for the Xbox One X; strange considering it’s the most powerful console ever made.
Considering we are only 1 year away from the next console cycle it is highly likely we will never get a VR headset for the Xbox One X. Therefore Playstation wins by no contest as it is the only option for console VR gaming.
Winner: Playstation 4 Pro
PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X Interfaces & Features
Both consoles have modern interfaces with menus that make navigating the console ecosystem easy. PS4s interface is quite similar to PS3s whilst the Xbox One focuses on Windows 8 style titles where you can pin what you want to the menu.
Check out this comparison of the interfaces so you can get a more visual understanding of the differences.
The Xbox One has a snap feature that allows you to use two programs at once like in a computer. The Playstation 4 has a special feature called share play. Read what the official Playstation website has to say.
Share Play Feature
One of Playstation 4’s best features is how easy it is to share gameplay. Simply press the dedicated Dualhshock 4 share button that allows you to share screenshots/ footage and easily share them to Facebook or start a twitch/Youtube stream.
In Xbox, you do this via double-clicking the bottom and select options to all the same features, this is slightly less intuitive than with the PS4.
Both options have remote play capability, as Sony allows you to stream PS4 games on a PC, Mac, Playstation Vita, Xbox one makes it seamless to play across Windows 10 computers or tablets.
Winner: PS4 Pro.
This one is close but I will give it to the PS4 Pro. Sharing the gaming footage is so much easier with the PS4 so it’s the best choice for streamers and both interfaces can be considered equal. However, share play is a cool feature that is exclusive to the PlayStation 4.
Xbox One X Vs PS4 Media Entertainment
- Xbox One X is the only console with a built-in Ultra HD Blue-ray player
- Both consoles can stream true 4K video from streaming services such as Netflix & Hulu
- Xbox One X has Dolby Vision & Atmos whilst the PS4 Pro lacks
Both consoles are solid media devices but the biggest difference between the two is the Xbox One X has an Ultra HD Blue-ray player, allowing you to watch movies in gorgeous 4K HDR quality.
Although both can stream 4K equally so watching Youtube or Netflix in 4K is not an issue with either console. Although you need a solid internet connection and Netflix recommends “25 Megabits per second” to stream Ultra HD content. Ultra DVD’s are also quite expensive and most DVD’s & movies don’t have the option available.
Both support many third party applications like Spotify & Switch.
Either console supports HDR10 the format for High Dynamic Range but only the Xbox One X supports Dolby vision which is a slightly better version of HDR can that better peak brightness and improves every scene clarity.
Lastly, Xbox One X supports Doly Atmos which is a more immersive version not surround sound which PS4 LACKS.
A quick look on Amazon states an Ultra HD blue-ray player will cost around $124-$250 so for a bit more you can get an extremely powerful gaming machine. The Xbox One with Dolby Atmos & Dolby Vision support just makes it a better option for a home entertainment system.
Winner: Xbox One X
Xbox One X Vs PS4 Game Exclusives
- PS4 has by far the better exclusives
- Xbox One has excellent backwards compatibility across its games
- Both consoles receive excellent third party games
Having 4K capability and chunky hardware would meaning nothing if there weren’t good games to play but this isn’t an issue with either console. Both consoles don’t have specific games so any Xbox One/PS4 game can be played on the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One X but later releases are optimised to take advantage of the increased power.
A big plus for the Xbox is it has excellent disc backwards compatibility, many many titles from the entire Xbox gaming lifespan can be enjoyed on the Xbox One. Check out the entire list from Microsoft here and some games even have enhancement patches and graphically will look better!
Impressively Xbox head of operations Dave McCarthy has said the following about stopping the wasteful console upgrade cycle which leaves countless games becoming unplayable on newer consoles.
“That term of an upgrade is gone. As a gamer, it’s pretty cool,”Because then I know the games I buy and play today and the controllers I use today are going to work on that machine of tomorrow. And that’s the real major step-change.”
Xbox head of operations Dave McCarthy
This has been implemented with Xbox’s Play Anywhere intuitive, whilst allows gamers to play select games across the Xbox one & PC when purchased digitally.
Learn more about the initiative here.
However, where Xbox fails is it simply lacks console exclusives compared to Playstation which is massive and it’s with first-party games that the true power of the Xbox One X is released.
In games like Gears 5 & Halo 5, the console is capable of true 4K output but third party developers simply don’t put the attention necessary that first-party developers do.
Contrastingly the PS4 is blessed with exclusives check out my personal top 5 list here, but some titles are the phenomenal God Of War and the best superhero game of this generation Spiderman. There is no comparison if you want the best game,s the PS4 Pro is only the option.
Whilst some of the best games this generation such as Red Dead Redemption 2 are available on both consoles. However, due to its power, the Xbox One X will be the best system to play third party games.
Check out another comparison of the 4K capabilities of the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro.
Microsoft knew it failed this console generation regarding exclusives so it did the best thing to remedy the situation. The Xbox Game Pass is a NetFlix like gaming subscription service giving you access to 100+ titles for a small $9.99/month. It is the best deal in gaming and you can read more about it here.
Despite the Xbox Game pass being a fantastic move by Microsoft and the Xbox One X being the best console to play third party games. The PlayStation 4 Pro still wins.
Not only does the Playstation have way more exclusives, but the exclusives themselves are also some of the finest games this generation and Xbox fans are seriously missing out.
Winner: Playstation 4 Pro(By far)
PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X Which One Should You Buy?
The Xbox One X is the most powerful console ever made, everything from it’s RAM, CPU, GPU and memory bandwidth are superior to the Pro and this has implications with in-game performance and graphics. The Xbox One X is the best way to join all the fantastic third party games.
But, it’s up to the developers to best make use of the hardware and whilst developers like Rockstar put the effort in, a lot do not so you get a console with all the power without the application.
Microsoft arguably made a mistake in not making the X is a separate console and had developers purely develop for the X with its power in mind and made the X really next-gen.
Outside of exclusives, the X is definitely the better entertainment system with its ultra HD blue-ray player and impressive backwards compatibility that give your old Xbox & 360 games a new lease on life whilst being the smallest Microsoft console ever.
Price-wise? They are actually the same both around $339 in the US but priced differently elsewhere. However, if you’re looking at just a gaming console? Then I still recommend the PS4 Pro as it’s usually cheaper with far better exclusives.
Simply put the exclusives for PS4 cannot be compared with Xbox and you would be missing out on too many fantastic titles for this generation. However, the Xbox One X is still a fantastic console and if it had the exclusives it would be the superior console.
However, if you want an Ultra HD DVD player then you should buy the Xbox One as it’s the most powerful console ever made and the best choice to play the countless fantastic third party games of this generation.
Winner Overall PS4 Pro
Recommended Products
PlayStation VR Mega Pack (PS4)(Amazon Link)
PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB Console(Amazon Link)
Xbox One X 1TB Console(Amazon Link)
