Xbox Series S vs PS5 Comparison- Which one is better for 2025, especially for those who want to experience GTA 6
Choosing between Microsoft’s Xbox Series S and Sony’s PS5 in 2025 is a lot harder for gamers than choosing between tea and coffee. Both caffeinate your soul, but one fits your budget, while the other flexes better horsepower. In today’s war of next-gen console comparison, things have only gotten spicier—new titles, subscription services, upgraded models, just no flying cars (yet). Whether you’re a casual gamer who just wants to jump into Fortnite after work or a graphics-hungry beast looking to melt your eyeballs with the latest AAA titles in 4k, this article will help you answer the million-dollar question: “Should I buy Xbox Series S or PS5 in 2025?”
We’ll break it down by performance, price, exclusive games, console backward compatibility, and determine whether the PS5 Pro is worth your kidney. Spoiler: it’s not.
Xbox Series S vs PS5 Price in 2025: The Budget Battle
Let’s be real—if you’re trying to game without taking a personal loan, the Xbox Series S vs PS5 price comparison really leans in favor of the Series S. Priced at $299 in the US (₹36,000 in India), it’s almost 20 percent less than the cost of the PS5. It’s a digital-only console with solid SSD speeds, compact size, and glorious Game Pass access. It’s perfect for casual gamers who just want to buy it to experience GTA 5. As we all know, GTA 6 won’t be coming to PC for a while!
And speaking of Game Pass—it’s a buffet of digital goodness. Xbox Game Pass gives you access to hundreds of titles, including new releases and timeless classics, for a fraction of the price you’d spend elsewhere. It’s like Netflix, but instead of rewatching Breaking Bad, you’re jumping between Halo, Forza, and a dozen indies you didn’t even know existed.
But here’s where Xbox pulls out the big guns: Game Pass includes day-one access to Xbox Game Studios titles like Starfield, Hellblade II, and Avowed. Sony’s PlayStation Plus? You’ll still be paying full price for games like Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarok, and other exclusives at launch. Game Pass is also available on PC, includes cloud gaming across mobiles and browsers as well, and supports family sharing more easily than PS Plus.
PlayStation Plus Premium, on the other hand, is pricier at $17.99/month compared to $16.99 for Game Pass Ultimate — and doesn’t give you day-one access to major titles or native PC support.
So yeah, when it comes to subscription value, Game Pass doesn’t just win — it runs victory laps while PS Plus is still loading the map.
The price for the PS5 meanwhile starts at $499 (₹54,990), making your wallet scream louder than a clicker in The Last of Us. It does bring native 4K gaming console performance and powerful hardware—but is the price gap really worth it if you’re not gaming every day?
So, to put it simply, the Xbox Series S vs PS5 comparison from a pricing point of view is a no-contest. The Series S wins with a flawless price-performance ratio. It’s affordable and offers entry into next-gen console comparison without breaking the bank. Meanwhile, the PS5—and its even more expensive PS5 Pro cousin—ask you to pay a premium for visual upgrades that most casual gamers won’t even notice.
PS5 Pro, priced around $699, adds better ray tracing and AI-based upscaling, but for that money, you could buy the Series S and a year of Xbox Game Pass. Unless you’re obsessed with specs or own a 77-inch OLED, the PS5 Pro is like adding racing spoilers to a Maruti Suzuki.
Xbox Series S vs PS5 Performance: Power vs Practicality
Let’s not sugarcoat it—the PS5 outperforms the Series S in raw power. You get native 4K gaming console capabilities, better ray tracing, and a better GPU. But for many games, especially those on both consoles, the difference is more about frame rates and shadows. It is not something life-changing!
The Xbox Series S targets 1440p with upscaling and holds 60 FPS in most titles. For most people, especially those wondering “Should I buy Xbox Series S or PS5 in 2025?”, the Xbox Series S vs PS5 performance difference isn’t a dealbreaker. Unless you plan on playing Cyberpunk 2077 in a NASA lab, Series S holds its ground well.
Xbox Series S Exclusive Games vs PS5 Exclusive Games
This is where PS5 goes full Thor and hurls Mjölnir. With far superior exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok, Ghost of Tsushima, and Insomniac’s Spider-Man franchise, Sony delivers cinematic, polished, unforgettable single-player experiences that make you go, “WTF just happened?” in the best possible way.
You’re battling Norse gods, slicing through samurai duels, and swinging through New York in a way that makes other consoles look like they’re still loading. PS5 exclusives don’t just play—they perform. It’s like watching the latest Marvel movie on IMAX while Xbox Series S exclusive games are airing a rerun of a decent TV show.
Are Xbox Series S exclusive games bad? We’re talking about games such as Avowed, Starfield, Hellblade, and a few others—solid efforts, yes, but they’re still trying to find that jaw-dropping, award-winning swagger. Xbox is improving, but PS5’s exclusives are on a different level.
So yes, when it comes to exclusives, PS5 wins. Hands down. Even Master Chief would agree.
However, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is $16.99/month and comes with console access, PC support, cloud gaming, EA Play, online multiplayer, and the best thing? Day-one AAA titles! That’s right—Microsoft drops big games like Starfield, Avowed, and Hellblade II straight into your lap if you have a subscription.
Console Backward Compatibility: Nostalgia Points
Here’s a surprising twist—Xbox wins here. While PS5 can run most PS4 games, the Series S supports games from the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and even the original Xbox. If you’ve got a stack of old discs or digital purchases, the Series S keeps the party going.
If you’re a new gamer who missed out on epics like The Witcher 2, where political intrigue meets monster-slaying, or an action-packed crime game like GTA IV, backward compatibility lets you catch up without a time machine.
So if you’re someone who values gaming history, console backward compatibility is a major win in this Xbox Series S vs PS5 comparison.
Is Xbox Series S Worth It Over PS5 for Casual Gamers?
Yes. Loudly and confidently—yes. If you play 2–3 times a week, don’t care about ultra-max graphics, and want great value, the Xbox Series S is made for you. Game Pass gives you hundreds of games for cheap. You’ll save on the console, subscriptions, and even storage upgrades (if you don’t go crazy).
Unless you’re deeply invested in gaming, there’s no strong reason for a casual gamer to shell out double the price. Therefore, the answer to “Is Xbox Series S worth it over PS5 for casual gamers” is a big green thumbs up.
Which Console is Better for GTA 6?
Ah yes, the real reason half of us is reading this article. The long awaited GTA 6 is set to be a graphical masterpiece and sadly, GTA VI for PC might take up to or more than 2 years to release. So, PC gamers might consider buying a console, and if you are one of them, things like Xbox Series S vs PS5 performance and storage will matter.
The PS5 is expected to run GTA 6 at native 4K with smoother lighting, textures, and maybe fewer loading screens (unless you’re into staring at tips). If you want Rockstar’s next big thing in all its visual glory, PS5 is your guy.
The Xbox Series S will run it too, but likely at 1440p upscaled to 4K, with trimmed-down textures. You’ll still get the chaos, crime, and car chases—but maybe with fewer reflections on your stolen sports car.
So, if GTA 6 is the game for you, PS5 might be the better call. But if you’re okay missing out on a bit of eye candy to save big, don’t worry at all: the Series S will still deliver the ride.
Hardware Specifications: The Power Breakdown
The PS5 has:
- 10.28 TFLOPS GPU
- Native 4K + Ray tracing
- 825GB SSD (faster load speeds)
Xbox Series S has:
- 4 TFLOPS GPU
- Targets 1440p (upscaled to 4K)
- 512GB SSD (usable space is ~364GB)
So yeah, PS5 is the clear winner in pure horsepower- but the Series S also punches way above its weight considering the price.
Market Trends: Who’s Winning?
As of 2025, PS5 has sold more internationally and has stronger brand recognition, especially in markets like Japan and Europe. Xbox, however, is closing the gap thanks to Game Pass, cloud gaming, and its aggressive pricing.
Game Pass is dominating the subscription space, while Sony relies more on exclusive blockbuster titles to lead the charge.
Future-Proofing and Longevity
Sony has also launched the PS5 Pro, a mid-gen refresh aimed at 4K purists. But it’s expensive and doesn’t add enough to justify the upgrade for most.
Xbox hasn’t launched a Series S Pro (yet), but it continues to expand Game Pass and xCloud services—hinting at a future beyond just hardware.
So if you want a console with long-term service support and flexibility, Xbox might have the edge. But if you want bleeding-edge specs and eye-melting visuals? PS5 is your guy.
Xbox, however, is closing the gap thanks to Game Pass, cloud gaming, and its aggressive pricing.
Should I Buy Xbox Series S or PS5 in 2025?
Here’s the honest breakdown for our analysis regarding Xbox Series S vs PS5 2025:
- Go for the Xbox Series S if you want value, Game Pass, portability, and console backward compatibility.
- Go for the PS5 if you crave the best exclusives, native 4K gaming console experience, and if you have a lot of time to spare for gaming, in order to justify the price tag. Or if you are a diehard GTA fan and want to experience it at its best.
- Ignore the PS5 Pro unless you’re upgrading from a PS3 and want to feel futuristic.
In the grand Xbox Series S vs PS5 comparison, there’s no absolute winner—only what works best for you.
This generation has something for everyone. The PS5 is a visual monster with game-of-the-decade-level exclusives. Meanwhile, Xbox Series S is the console that respects your wallet while still delivering a full next-gen console comparison experience.
In 2025, the real winner is the one that fits your lifestyle—and maybe leaves you enough cash for a snack.
Because no one should go broke trying to play video games. Not even for Kratos.
If you are a PC gamer who uses a laptop, make sure to read our article about the importance of laptop cooling pads for gaming.
