PS5 Pro vs. Xbox Series X: Which One is the Better Buy in 2025

Understanding the PS5 Pro’s upgraded hardware and its position in the premium gaming segment.

General by Katmin on Nov 06, 2025

The gaming landscape in 2025 has changed significantly, and so have the prices of the top consoles. The PS5 Pro and the Xbox Series X, both once considered the pinnacle of console gaming, have seen noticeable price increases. With the gap between console and PC gaming narrowing, the question remains— which one is really worth your money now?

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Xbox Series X: Aging Hardware with a Steeper Price

The Xbox Series X was priced $500 when it came out in 2020. Now, in 2025, the same console costs $650, which is $150 more than it did five years ago. That might be hard to take in, as the hardware hasn't changed. It does, however, have good specs: 16GB of RAM, an 8-core CPU, and 1TB of storage.

But here's where things get tricky. In 2025, most modern games easily exceed 100GB in size. With just 1TB of storage, it doesn't take long to run out of space. We quickly hit that limit after installing around 18 games. Sure, you can expand storage using the proprietary expansion cards, but those will set you back another $100–$200, depending on capacity. That brings the total cost dangerously close to PS5 Pro territory—or even beyond.

It's impossible to resist the fact that certain pre-built gaming PCs are a better deal, especially during big sales like Black Friday, when they can be found for as low as $650. Still, others love console gaming because of how simple, exclusive, and fun it is, even if the specs aren't the best.

PS5 Pro: Newer hardware and more storage

Last year, the PS5 Pro came out for $700. As of 2025, the cost is $750, a $50 increase from the previous year. The price difference between it and the Xbox Series X has narrowed from $200 to just $100. Inside, it features similar specs: 16GB of RAM and an 8-core CPU. However, it doubles the storage at 2TB, which makes a big difference.

The design is sleeker, and the console feels slightly lighter despite being taller. The PS5 Pro also comes with more modern connectivity options, including two USB-C ports on the front and two USB-A ports on the back, alongside HDMI, power, and Ethernet ports. The lack of a disc slot shows Sony's continued push toward digital-only gaming.

Compared to the Xbox's older design, the PS5 Pro feels more future-ready. The Xbox Series X struggles to maintain both 4K and 120Hz simultaneously, whereas this one can handle 4K at 120Hz natively.

PS5 Pro, Xbox, Series X, Which One, Better Buy in 2025, NoobFeed

User Experience and Interface

Often, it comes down to personal preference when choosing between these consoles. Many people who have used the Xbox for a long time say that the interface is straightforward to use and lets them customize it. One major advantage we appreciate is the inclusion of Microsoft Edge, allowing full web access right from the console. You can browse, stream YouTube, and even access online Office tools—all directly from your Xbox.

In contrast, the PS5 Pro's browser access is limited. While it used to be possible to message yourself links to open webpages, Sony has made this process more restrictive. This lack of web freedom feels like a step backward for users who enjoy multi-purpose functionality.

Performance: 4K120hz Gaming and FPS Consistency

When testing Fortnite on both consoles, we kept settings identical to ensure fairness. On the Xbox Series X, despite only running at 1080p120hz, the gameplay remained incredibly smooth. In creative mode, it consistently stayed above 110fps, with rare dips to 90fps during intense moments. Input delay felt minimal, and overall responsiveness was solid.

Switching to the PS5 Pro, the console effortlessly handled 1080p120hz and could even push 4K120hz if enabled. The performance was nearly identical, with FPS hovering between 110–120fps most of the time. Occasionally, it peaked slightly higher, even hitting 129fps briefly. Input delay was just as low, and the experience felt equally smooth.

In real-world gameplay, the difference between both consoles is almost indistinguishable. The PS5 Pro may handle higher-end resolutions more gracefully, but when gaming at 1080p, both deliver equally consistent frame rates.

Controller Feel and Gameplay Experience

The Xbox controller remains familiar and comfortable for many players. Still, the PS5 Pro's DualSense controller features a more ergonomic design with adaptable triggers, making the experience even more immersive. We found the PlayStation controller to be a little more comfortable and responsive during prolonged gaming sessions.

That said, it can take some time to get used to switching if you've always played Xbox. Both controllers work quite well, with just very small changes in input delay.

Storage, Ports, and Expansion

The PS5 Pro's built-in 2TB storage gives it a major advantage over the Xbox's 1TB. Considering the Xbox's proprietary expansion cards cost an additional $100–$200, the PlayStation becomes the more practical long-term investment.

In terms of ports, the PS5 Pro edges ahead with modern USB-C connectivity, while the Xbox sticks with traditional USB-A ports. However, the Xbox still offers a convenient expansion slot and maintains a disc drive—something the PS5 Pro lacks.

Which One Should You Buy?

After playing games on both consoles back to back, it's evident that they perform almost the same in-game. In the end, the choice comes down to what matters most to you.

The Xbox Series X remains a solid choice if you prefer the Xbox interface, frequently utilize Microsoft services, or want a disc drive. But if you want newer hardware, more storage, and better long-term support, the PS5 Pro is worth the extra $100.

That said, once you start spending $700 or more, it becomes hard to ignore gaming PCs. A capable pre-built system in this range can deliver 120fps gameplay and greater versatility for other tasks. Considering the rising cost of consoles, investing in a gaming PC might make more sense for many players in 2025.

PS5 Pro, Xbox, Series X, Which One, Better Buy in 2025, NoobFeed

Final Thoughts

The Xbox Series X and PS5 Pro are both great devices, but their high pricing makes it harder to rationalize buying them. The Xbox has a robust environment and is easy to connect to the internet. In contrast, the PS5 Pro offers more storage and a newer design.

For $500, either would have been a no-brainer. But at $650–$750, we'd recommend considering a gaming PC instead. It offers better long-term value, upgradability, and performance for the same money.

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