PS4 Pro and Xbox One X are two competent 4K consoles, but, despite the Xbox One X’s beefy specs, there are plenty of reasons why PS4 Pro has an edge over the competition. From games to price, let’s recap the perks of joining PlayStation Nation.
1) The PS4 Pro Is Cheaper : Probably the most obvious differential between PS4 Pro and Xbox One X is that the Pro is $399 to the X’s $499. Gamers know that gaming is an expensive habit, and a differential as high as $100 is going to matter to folks on a budget. Especially if this is your first console rather than an upgrade, it could be the difference between being able to include two games with your purchase. Some might need to buy a 4K TV too.
The simple fact is, whether it’s native or upscaled, these are two 4K-capable consoles. One is clearly more expensive than the other, and it’s PlayStation 4 Pro that will be easiest on your wallet.
2) Exclusive Games : Especially with premium hardware like the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, exclusive games are going to offer the best examples of what your high-spec rig is capable of. Simply put, PS4 has a ton more of that goodness to go around. Looking at E3 conferences alone, Sony advertised Uncharted, Horizon, Days Gone, God Of War, Spiderman, Detroit and more. On the Xbox side you had Crackdown 3, Sea Of Thieves, Forza Motorsport 7 and State Of Decay 2, but only the first three will be truly stellar 4K showcases.
Although 4K Xbox One X games may look a bit better than a Pro’s, but there are a lot fewer of them.
3) Third-Party Partnerships: As we’re seeing at E3, this concept of more 4K software also leans Sony’s way on the third-party side as well. As the market-leading console, PS4 has become the obvious partner for some of this year’s biggest multi-platform games like Call Of Duty: WWII, Destiny 2 and Star Wars Battlefront II.
In the case of Call Of Duty and Battlefront, both developers aren’t talking about Xbox One X enhancements at this time while singing the praises of PS4 Pro. For Destiny 2, it would appear the X and Pro versions are basically identical at 4K 30fps. Whether developers find it easier to develop for the Pro as the lowest denominator or they’re just trying to keep Sony happy, this lack of vocal support for Xbox One X will likely continue unless the tides of perception turn. With the X’s controversial $500 price currently dominating the conversation, that won’t be an easy task.
4) A VR Option: This advantage may not matter for every gamer, but it’s worth pointing out that the PS4 and PS4 Pro both have the capability of bringing VR to your living room with PSVR. The headset costs as much as a Pro, but, if you’re willing to spend that much, it’s a nice option to have.
Especially in VR, where every frame means the difference between comfort and sickness, having the Pro’s increased horsepower is a really nice benefit. The Pro offers totally cutting-edge VR game experiences that run well. The Xbox One X is definitely capable of VR or mixed reality, but Microsoft seems cautious about the technology’s place in the console market.
5) A More Promising Start: The PS4 Pro announcement was undoubtedly bungled by Sony last year, but, even so, the console’s initial reception seemed far more positive than the Xbox One X’s. Not only was the Pro capable of 4K upscaled images, but it came in at a $399 price point that consumers were proven to be comfortable with during the launch of the standard PS4.
While still in the midst of E3, the general chatter around Xbox One X right now is really negative. In fact, it’s situation mirrors the initial backlash against the Xbox One in 2013. It’s a case of two fairly similar consoles with one costing $100 more than the other. We’ve seen how this scenario plays out in the past, and it didn’t end so well for Microsoft. First impressions have defined the tenor of this entire console generation, and, in that department, the Xbox One X has not fared well. As a gamer, it’s not as fun to be on the losing side of history.
PS4 Pro is available now for $399. The Xbox One X launches for $499 Nov. 7.
Do you think the PS4 Pro is a wiser purchase over Xbox One X? Will Microsoft succeed with its $500 console? Tell us in the comments section!
