Both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are still very expensive devices. The newest generation of video game consoles can cost anywhere from $250 to $400. However, while both the PS4 and Xbox One cost about the same, the price of each console is different. Right now, you can buy an Xbox One for as low as $200. For that price, you’ll get a slimmed-down version of the console without a disk drive and with only 8GB of storage space. On the other hand, if you want to buy a PS4, it will cost you about $300 for a standard 500 GB model or $400 for a special “Limited Edition” 1 TB version that comes with exclusive artwork on the exterior. So why is Xbox One cheaper than PS4?
Why Is Xbox One Cheaper Than PS4?
It comes down to 2 things, supply and demand, and the fact is that PS4 is outselling Xbox One in both units sold, which leads to lower supply and higher demand, which results in the price is higher. The supply and demand cycle is always a factor when discussing prices, but the fact that PS4 is outselling Xbox One combined with lower supply leads to lower prices.
What Is The Reason Xbox One is Cheaper Than PS4?
Xbox One has a weaker processor
Arguably the most important component in a gaming console is the processor. It is responsible for executing game code and creating those beautiful graphics we all love. The clock speed and number of cores used can significantly affect performance. While the PlayStation 4 uses an 8-core AMD Jaguar CPU clocked at 1.6 GHz, the Xbox One employs an 8-core AMD custom CPU clocked at 1.75 GHz. It is not a huge difference in clock speed, but the PS4 has more cores. That is why it can handle more tasks at the same time. Both consoles use graphics chips developed by AMD. However, the PS4’s chip is more powerful than the Xbox One’s. The PS4’s chip features 18 computing units, while the Xbox ones has just 12. The PS4’s chip also has a higher memory bandwidth of 176 GB/sec, while the Xbox One’s memory bandwidth is just 102 GB/sec. The PS4’s chip is also larger, featuring an 820-square-micron die size, while the Xbox One is smaller with a 930-square-micron die size. The PS4’s chip also uses less power, consuming just 100 watts of energy, while the Xbox One’s chip consumes 120 watts.
Xbox One requires an always-on Internet connection
This is one of the most controversial things about the Xbox One. The Xbox One requires an Internet connection to run games — even offline single-player titles. This means that if your Internet connection goes down, you are unable to play games on your Xbox One. While it is easy to understand why Microsoft made this decision, it has caused a lot of controversies. In fact, several lawsuits have been filed against the company over this decision. The PlayStation 4, on the other hand, does not require an Internet connection to run games. However, there is functionality that the PS4 offers that Xbox One doesn’t — like remote play on the PS Vita. The Xbox One actually has a similar feature, but it is limited to Windows 10 PCs. Despite this controversy, it must be noted that you don’t need to be online to watch movies and television shows. In fact, this functionality does not require an Internet connection at all. This can be done even if your console is offline.
Kinect is sold separately for Xbox One
This is one of the most controversial aspects of the Xbox One. The Kinect sensor for Xbox One is required for the console to function. It is an amazing piece of technology that detects your body movement and voice commands. This allows you to control the console hands-free. However, just like the always-on Internet connection, the Kinect sensor is required to function, and it is sold separately. This means that people who don’t want to use this feature will have to spend extra money. This has caused a lot of controversy among fans. Indeed, Sony took advantage of this and is selling the PlayStation Eye sensor for $60 — compared to the $100 price tag for the Xbox One’s Kinect sensor. It should be noted that the PlayStation Eye has limited functionality and is not as advanced as the Kinect.
The 500 GB storage space for Xbox One is half empty
While the PlayStation 4 features a hard drive with 500 GB of storage space, the Xbox One has a 500 GB hard drive — but only half of it is actually available for use. The other half is reserved for the operating system and system settings. This means that Xbox One owners have less space for games than PS4 owners. This is especially inconvenient for Xbox One owners who use external hard drives to store games. This is because they cannot use the hard drive inside the Xbox One. Instead, they have to rely on a dedicated external hard drive.
A year of Xbox Live is included with the console
There is a reason why Xbox Live costs a lot of money — because it is an amazing service. This online gaming service is available on the PlayStation 4 as well, but it costs $59.99 a year to use. On the Xbox One, a year of Xbox Live is included with the purchase of the console. This gives Xbox One owners an edge since they can play online multiplayer games for free. On the other hand, PS4 owners will have to pay for online multiplayer gameplay.
PS4 uses x86 architecture, while Xbox One uses x64 architecture
Both consoles feature an 8-core CPU running at 1.6 GHz, but there are two significant differences in their architecture. First, the PS4 uses x86 architecture, while the Xbox One uses a more advanced x64 architecture. This means that Xbox One can process more instructions at one time compared to the PS4. Both consoles support DirectX 12, but the Xbox One has an edge when it comes to compatibility. This is because it is easier to port DX12 code to x64 architecture compared to x86 architecture.
It’s possible to play used games on both platforms
Another controversy surrounding these two devices is the ability to play used games. Both the Xbox One and PS4 support playing used games. It is possible to play used games on both platforms, but there is a difference. On the Xbox One, it is possible to play used games, but only if the game is downloaded from the Internet. This means that you can’t play used discs on the Xbox One. The PS4, on the other hand, allows you to play both downloaded titles and used discs.
What Are The Advantages Of Xbox One?
1. Xbox One is more powerful than PS4
In terms of graphics and performance, the Xbox One has an advantage over the PS4. The graphics on both consoles are stunning, but the Xbox One is a bit more powerful. This means that you get better graphics on Xbox One games compared to PS4 games. However, this isn’t really noticeable for casual gamers.
2. The controller for the Xbox One is better than that of the PS4
The DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4 features a touchpad, which allows you to navigate menus and even play certain types of games without using the touch screen. However, it doesn’t have an integrated microphone or speaker as the Xbox One controller does. The latter includes a built-in microphone and speaker, which means that you can use it to talk to friends during gameplay sessions or even chat with them online. It also has a headphone jack so that you can play your favorite games quietly if you don’t want to disturb your family or roommates.
3. It has better media capabilities than the PS4
The Xbox One has several media applications. You can use it to watch movies and TV shows, listen to music, and play games in the background while you do other things. You can even use it to make Skype video calls on your TV if you want to. The PlayStation doesn’t have any of these features, which means that you can’t watch movies or TV shows on your PS4, or send video chat messages using Skype on your television.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Xbox One?
1. The Xbox One is more expensive than the PS4
The PS4 costs $400, which is $100 less than the Xbox One. While you can use your PS4 to watch movies and TV shows, listen to music and play games in the background, you can’t do any of these things with your Xbox One. You also get a few free games with each console, but there are some differences between them too. The PS4 comes with a digital copy of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End for free, whereas the Xbox One comes with Forza 6: Apex. This means that you don’t get an actual disc for your game — only a code that you can redeem online in order to download it.
2. There aren’t any exclusive games for the Xbox One yet
There are plenty of great games for both consoles, but at this point in time, there aren’t any exclusive titles for the Xbox One — only some games that will be released on both consoles. If you’re a fan of sports games, you might prefer the Xbox One, as it comes with Madden NFL 16 and FIFA 16 for free. The PlayStation 4, on the other hand, comes with a digital copy of Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.
3. The Xbox One doesn’t offer backward compatibility with older games
The PS4 offers backward compatibility with certain PS3 titles, so if you want to play any of your favorite PS3 games on your new console you can do so. However, there are no such features for the Xbox One at this point in time — this means that if you want to play any of your old Xbox 360 games on your new console, you can’t do so unless you buy an external hard drive and transfer them over manually.
The Bottom Line
All in all, there are several reasons why an Xbox One costs more than a PS4. This is likely because Microsoft focused their design efforts on creating a cheaper, less powerful machine rather than a more expensive, more powerful one.
