It is likely to be an expensive third quarter of 2020 for technology fans. New smartphones are expected from Apple, Google and Samsung – as happens every year – but this year it is also time for a new games console, in the form of the Xbox Series X (or Series S) or the PlayStation 5.

All arriving in November, the consoles replace their respective Xbox One and PlayStation 4 predecessors, and do so with hugely more powerful systems, boasting enhanced graphics and ray tracing for the first time. More on that later.

Read More:

• Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X: What's the difference?
• All games coming to the PlayStation 5 in 2020
• All games coming to the Xbox Series X in 2020

The four consoles look very different on the outside, but share similar specification sheets. However, as their components are largely custom built, it's tricky to call a winner in terms of outright performance and graphical prowess for now. They come with updated versions of their respective controllers, and backwards compatibility to play old games is possible on both.

They will also both act as excellent home entertainment systems, with Ultra HD Blu-ray drives and the ability to stream 4K content from all the usual places. Prices range from $299 for the Xbox Series S, up to $500 for the PlayStation 5.

Here is how the Xbox Series X, Series S and PlayStation 5 compare:

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: Design

It shouldn't really matter what a games console looks like, and yet somehow it splits gamers like nothing else. When Microsoft revealed the cuboid Xbox Series X, people likened it to a refrigerator, while the much taller and more sci-fi inspired PS5 looks more like a space movie prop.

Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S is far slimmer than both, with Microsoft claiming it is 60 percent smaller than the Series X. Of course, with a less powerful processor and graphics card, less space for cooling is required. There's also no disc drive on the Series S (and the PS 5 Digital Edition).

We're sure fans in both camps will get used to the look of each console, but in a purely practical sense we suspect the Xbox Series X will fit more neatly beneath the televisions of gamers than the larger PS5. The latter can at least be laid down on its side, as it is unlikely to fit on a shelf designed to accommodate a DVD player and cable box.

More info on Xbox Series X

Xbox Series X vs PlayStation 5: Specifications

We don't know exactly how each console will perform just yet, but both parties have released basic specification sheets for each. They are as follows:

Xbox Series X:

• Processor: Eight cores at 3.8GHz
• GPU: 12 teraflops, 52CUs @1.825GHz
• Memory: 16GB GDDR6
• Memory Bandwidth: 10GB at 560GB per second, 6GB at 336GB/s
• Internal storage: 1TB SSD
• Expandable storage: 1TB expansion card
• External storage: USB 3.2 external HDD support
• I/O throughput: 2.4GB/s (Raw), 4.8GB/s (compressed)
• Disc drive: UHD Blu-ray player

• Processor: 8-core at 3.6GHz
• GPU: 4 terraflops, 20 CU at 1.565 GHz
• Memory: 10GB GDDR6
• Memory bandwidth: 8GB at 224GB/s, 2GB at 56GB/s
• Internal storage: 512GB
• Expandable storage: 1TB expansion slot
• I/O throughput: 2.4GB/s (Raw), 4.8GB/s (compressed)
• Disc drive: No

PlayStation 5:

• Processor: Eight cores at 3.5GHz (variable)
• GPU: 10.28 teraflops, 36 CUs @2.223GHz
• Memory: 16GB GDDR6
• Memory Bandwidth: 448GB per second
• Internal storage: 825GB SSD (custom)
• Expandable storage: NVMe SSD slot
• External storage: USB HDD support
• I/O throughput: 5.5GB per second (Raw), 8-9GB/s compressed
• Disc drive: UHD Blu-ray player

Sony will sell two versions of PlayStation 5, one without a disc driveSony

The PS5 and Xbox Series X are very similar spec sheets, with only small differences in processor and GPU speed, internal storage, and I/O throughput speeds. But, as both consoles use custom-built components, rather than bought off-the-shelf from suppliers, it is tricky to say one is definitively quicker than the other.

What we can say at this point is how 825GB in the PS5 (and even the Xbox's 1TB of internal storage) seems on the small side, given how large next-generation games are expected to be. Today's AAA titles like the Call of Duty franchise already weigh in at over 150GB when downloaded from the online store. Therefore we're grateful to see a 1TB expansion slot on both versions of Xbox (especially helpful for the 512GB Series S), and USB hard drive support for all four consoles.

It is also worth noting that, as we just mentioned, a slimmer (but likely no less powerful) version of the PS5 will be sold without a disc drive. This follows in the wake of the digital-only Xbox One S Microsoft has sold for a while now, but interestingly there will be no digital-only Series X at launch. Instead, Microsoft is selling a separate next-generation console called the Xbox Series S, which has no disc drive, is smaller than the Series X, and costs $299.

This seriously undercuts the PS5, which starts at $400 for the digital edition and is a great way for gamers on a tighter budget to grab a slice of next-generation gaming from day one. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X is $499 and the PS5 with a disc drive is $500.

2020 Sony Playstation 4 1TB Slim Console Bundle with Marvel's Spider-Man: Game of The Year Disk Edition + VGSION HDMI Cable

List Price: $445.00

New From: $445.00in Stock

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: What is ray tracing?

Microsoft and Sony have both said their next-generation consoles will support ray tracing. This is a new light rendering technique that creates more realistic lighting in video games, which is produced in real time as the player moves through an environment.

Ray tracing simulates and produces every ray of light coming from a light source, and is what's used to create realistic lighting in computer-generated movie scenes. This requires a lot of power and has until now only been an option for very high-end gaming computers. But now the technology will come to consoles and a much larger audience, who will enjoy more realistic lighting and shadows in their games.

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: Controller

Both consoles will come with an updated controller. For the Xbox Series X, the changes are very small indeed, only adding a share button to make it easier to capture gameplay and screenshots to export and share online. We like the current controller so have no complaints here, although we wonder if a new version of the pricey Elite controller might also be on the way.

The Xbox controller remains largely unchangedMicrosoft

As for the PlayStation 5 controller, called the DualSense, there are some big changes. The general layout remains unchanged (as it has for over 20 years), but the controller is larger, with redesigned shoulder buttons that include a new form of haptic feedback.

We have always liked the feedback delivered by the Xbox's triggers, so are glad to see this feature arrive on the PS5 too.

New DualSense controller for the PlayStation 5Sony

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: Backwards compatibility

Backwards compatibility is always a hot topic when a new generation of game consoles are announced. This is the phrase used to describe a new console's ability to play games released on its predecessors.

Backwards compatibility has varied over the years, but for his generation things are looking good. Microsoft has already said that every Xbox One game will be compatible with the Series X, and every game you bought on the One will automatically be available to freely download onto your new Series X. Xbox 360 and original Xbox games will work on the Series X, so long as they already also work on the Xbox One.

Microsoft has also said some older games will be upscaled to 4K resolution (or to a 120fps frame rate), making them look better than when they were new.

Sony has given fewer details about backwards compatibility for now, but says confidently that 99 percent of PS4 games will work on the PS5. It has also said games tweaked for the more powerful PS4 Pro will work with their enhancements in place on the PS5, but for other titles there could be variations in how well they perform on the new console. Sony has said the top 100 most-played PS4 games will run very well on the PS5 from launch.

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: Virtual reality

The PS5 will work with the existing PlayStation VR headset Sony

Sony has confirmed the PS5 will be fully compatible with its pre-existing PS VR headset, which has proven popular among PS4 gamers over the last few years. This should mean the continued development of virtual reality games (or at least games which have VR compatibility as an additional feature), and we might even see an updated headset somewhere down the line.

Things are less rosey for VR over at Microsoft. The company has confirmed it has no plans for any virtual reality with the Xbox Series X. No Xbox console has offered VR, so this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, especially as the technology has generally failed to become a mainstream hit.

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: Price and release date

The Xbox Series X is priced at $499 and the less powerful Series S is $299. The PlayStation 5 is $500 and the PS5 Digital Edition, which lacks a disc drive, is $400.

The PlayStation 5 can be pre-ordered now and goes on sale on November 12. But that date only applies to the US, Japan, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. The rest of the world will have to wait until November 19.

The Xbox Series S and X are available to pre-order from September 22 and go on sale worldwide on November 10.

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: Size and weight

Both flagships are pretty large, owing to the need for expansive heat sinks, fans and cooling to keep their powerful CPUs and GPUs running at their most efficient. The PlayStation 5 is the largest video game console in the modern era, while the Xbox Series X isn't far behind, and the Series S is surprisingly compact (although Microsoft hasn't revealed the exact sizes for now).

The PS5 measures in at 390 x 104 x 260 mm (15.35 x 4.09 x 10.24 inches) and weighs 4.5 kg (9.92 pounds). The PS5 Digital Edition is the same height and depth, but is slimmer (92 mm / 3.62 inches) due to the lack of a disc drive. It also weighs less, at 3.9 kg (8.6 pounds).

The Xbox Series X measures 151 x 151 x 301 mm (5.94 x 5.94 x 11.85 inches) and weighs 4.45 kg (9.8 pounds).

All four consoles can be stood upright or laid flat – which is good to know, given the height of them means they're unlikely to fit on the shelves of many TV and media units.

Xbox Series X (left) and the smaller Series SMicrosoft

Xbox Series X vs Series S vs PlayStation 5: Launch titles

When announcing the November release date, Microsoft also said how the Xbox's flagship launch title, Halo Infinite, won't actually be a launch title anymore. Instead, the game has been delayed until 2021. Instead of announcing a set list of games launching on day one, Microsoft says "more than 50" new games are planned for the rest of 2020, across its consoles.

New games developed for the Series X and launching through Xbox Game Pass include The Medium, Scorn, and Tetris Effect: Connected. There will also be "more than 40" popular games newly optimized "to take full advantage" of the Xbox Series X. These include Destiny 2, Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5, Ori and the Will of the Wasps, Madden NFL 21, and more.

As for the PlayStation 5, things are equally vague for now. As far as exclusive, first-party PS5 games are concerned, Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Godfall will arrive before the end of 2020 and Horizon Forbidden West is coming in 2021. Other exclusives, like Gran Turismo 7, don't have a release date yet.

Astro's Playroom will come pre-loaded on the PS5, as a way of introducing gamers to the abilities of the new DualSense controller.

Read more on what games will be available for each console before the end of 2020 here:

• Here are all the games coming to the Xbox Series X and Series S in 2020
• Here are all of the games coming to the PlayStation 5 in 2020

Sony PlayStation VR

List Price: $205.96

New From: $239.99in Stock

Used From: $205.96in Stock