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After seven years, millions of consoles sold, and a generation of users clamoring for an upgraded graphical experience, Sony and Microsoft are finally releasing the next version of their
iconic Xbox and PlayStation consoles. With both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X (and Series S) going on sale this week, you might be wondering which one to pick. Here’s what sets each of
them apart from the others. XBOX SERIES S: THE CHEAPEST WAY TO GO NEXT-GEN While the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have 4K capability, the diminutive Xbox Series S is designed to bring
next-gen gaming to your current, non-4K setup—consider it the entry-level console for this generation’s gaming needs. The Xbox Series X is great if you only have a 1080p TV, but can also
display games at a slightly higher 1440p resolution should you be using something like a game-friendly computer monitor. If you’re playing on a 4K TV, the Series S will “upscale” your
content, letting you play games in what amounts to a simulation of real 4K resolution (some games, like _Ori and the Will of the Wisp,_ will be displayed in native 4K)—but don’t expect it to
look particularly extravagant. Even if the Xbox Series S can’t do true 4K gaming, it does stream movies in native 4K, so you’ll still be able to watch high-def flicks. But be warned: the
lack of a disc drive means you won’t be playing any Ultra HD Blu-Ray movies as you could with the Xbox Series X, nor will you be able to purchase physical games. That also means you may be
hamstrung by its smaller 512GB internal storage, though that’s expandable with a proprietary 1TB storage option (like a camera memory card, but for your Xbox). GET THE XBOX SERIES S IF: You
don’t care about being on the cutting edge of gaming, and just want a console that’ll get you access to hundreds of games and 4K movies without breaking the bank; it’s also a great
lower-cost option for parents shopping for their young kids. THE XBOX SERIES X: GOING HARD ON THE GRAPHICS Where the Xbox Series S brings next-gen gaming to lower-resolution screens, the
Xbox Series X is built for gamers who want to see every pixel pop on their 4K display and purchase games with little hassle, be they physical or digital versions. The Xbox Series X plays
games at their native 4K resolution, can run certain titles at 120 frames per second, and includes an Ultra HD Blu-Ray drive, which the cheaper Series S lacks. Its 1TB of storage (expandable
like the Series S) lets you pack more games in your console, while the disc drive makes it easier to delete and re-install games at will. Both the Xbox Series S and Series X work with
Microsoft’s subscription service, Game Pass, which offers access to hundreds of Xbox games past and present for $9 per month, playable either on your console or your PC—think of it as
Netflix for games. You can play select Xbox and Xbox 360 games using Game Pass, as well as current-day Xbox Series games like _Destiny_ and _Gears 5_. For $15 per month, there’s Game Pass
Ultimate, which nets you the same number of games, but also lets you play or stream them on your Android smartphone, among other perks. To get more people in the Xbox ecosystem without
requiring they drop hundreds of bucks up front, Microsoft has also created the Xbox All Access subscription, which bundles either an Xbox Series S or Series X console with Game Pass Ultimate
for $24.99 (Series S) or $34.99 per month (Series X) for two years. GET THE XBOX SERIES X IF: You want a powerful console that can fully take advantage of your 4K TV and home theater setup,
and an Ultra HD Blu-Ray player for your growing library of physical media. Paired with a service like Game Pass Ultimate, the Xbox Series X is the console for older gamers with fond
memories of their first Xbox. PLAYSTATION 5: THE BEST EXCLUSIVE GAMES Available in two versions, a $399 digital-only version and a $499 model with a built-in Ultra HD Blu-Ray drive, Sony’s
PlayStation 5 carries on the legacy of the PlayStation 4 with a focus on exclusivity—a strategy that helped Sony sell twice as many consoles as rival Microsoft. The company is betting you’ll
love titles like _Spider-Man: Miles Morales_, already available, and upcoming exclusives like the remastered _Demon Souls_ and _Rachet and Clank: Rift Apart,_ both set to hit the PS5 within
the next year. All PS5 games are presented in 4K resolution, and load quickly thanks to the internal 1TB SSD (expandable with a Sony-approved SSD expansion card). There’s also the new
DualSense controller, which features a familiar layout for PlayStation owners while adding new features like pressure-sensitive triggers able to recreate the feeling of, for example,
shooting an arrow or playing with a zipper. Titles like _Astro’s Playroom _and _Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War_ take advantage of the haptic features, but it remains to be seen whether
developers making games for multiple consoles will spend time and resources utilizing features available on just one. While there aren’t many games available at launch, the PlayStation 5 is
backwards-compatible with your PS4 library. There’s also Sony’s PlayStation Now game streaming service, letting you play hundreds of PS2, PS3, and PS4 games on your PlayStation 5 or PC for
$10 per month. GET THE PLAYSTATION 5 IF: You’re already invested in Sony’s library of exclusive games on the PlayStation 4, and want to play games with a more advanced controller that
immerses you in the action. Also, if you don’t mind displaying the console prominently, the PlayStation 5 might serve as an artistic talking point when you’re not playing with it.