In the world of gaming, there are two particular companies that are constantly compared in terms of hardware and output: Sony and Microsoft. For the longest time, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One rivaled each other to reign supreme. But with both companies releasing revamped versions of their successful consoles - the PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox One S, respectively - there is more room for debate.
As Tech Radar notes, comparing these two consoles is not exactly fair. The Xbox One S is, after all, more similar the PlayStation 4 Slim. However, the PS4 Pro is the latest release from Microsoft in the gaming console department, as is the Xbox One S. So there is reason to pit these two against one another.
Sony vs. Microsoft: Generated Graphics
Both the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S boast of 4K quality videos, but how the consoles arrive at that is quite different. Sony's device renders at higher resolutions and uses more precise upscaling. Meanwhile, Microsoft's upscaling is far more simplistic.
However, both the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One S still depend on third-party servicers to deliver these 4K videos. Neither console has the power to increase the video quality of a game, they can only show it. Thereby, it might take some time for all titles to be take full advantage of this particular feature.
HDR is another addition to both the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One S. But while the former console relies on games that already have the Pro feature to it, the device itself does not support Blu-ray. On the other hand, Microsoft's bet is able to support HDR and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.
Sony vs. Microsoft: Game Exclusives
With the Xbox One S, players will get exclusive play with various popular titles like "Gears Of War 4" and "Forza Horizon 3." Microsoft also has reign on the "Halo" series. Furthermore, Microsoft also has its backwards compatibility feature - which allows some older games to be played on more recent and more modern consoles.
On the other hand, the PS4 Pro will have exclusive deals for "Uncharted 4," "Bloodborne" and stellar remakes including "The Last Of Us Remastered." Admittedly, however, Sony has less pull when it comes to racing games. At the very least, "Driveclub" is reportedly getting better.
Sony vs. Microsoft: Performance Is Magic
As Trusted Reviews notes, there are hardly any differences in terms of specifications from the Xbox One and the Xbox One S. But while this makes things easier for game developers and - in the short run - players, there is hardly any reason to upgrade if the older console is already in possession. On the other hand, the PS4 Pro improves significantly from the base PS4.
The PS4 Pro is twice as powerful as its direct predecessor. It sports a new graphics chip from AMD, which uses the company's Polaris architecture. In its raw form the graphics chip of the PS4 Pro is 4 TFLOPS, while the one of the Xbox One S is just 1.4 TFLOPS.
