Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4: Two Years Later

Its been nearly two years since the launch of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

So, we decided it was high time to compare them now that theyve hit their stride.

Both are great overall, both have their disadvantages, and both have changed significantly since their launch.

If youre purchasing around the holidays, youll likely get a game packed in as well.

Like the Xbox, if youre purchasing around the holidays, youll also probably get a packed in game.

There are countless things to compare between these two consoles, so lets get to it.

While many will want to sit around and argue aboutgraphics comparisons between the two, well skip that here.

For most of us, the differences are impossible to notice.

Or at least, without seeing them side-by-side, youd never guess the differences between the two.

One half of the console is a vent, which means you cant put anything on top of it.

Weirdly, youll need to supply your own batteries for the wireless controller.

Storage: The Xbox One comes standard with a 500GB hard drive, with a 1TB option also available.

PlayStation 4

Hardware: Compared to the Xbox One, the PlayStation 4 is a lot smaller.

Controllers($59.99): Sonys trademark DualShock controller got a massive change for the PlayStation 4.

The buttons, heft, and feel have all been drastically improved.

Interface: In contrast to the Xbox One, the PlayStation 4 interface is rather sparse.

Unlike the Xbox One, the PlayStation 4 doesnt support external hard drives.

Thehard drive upgrade process is stupidly simple though.

Game gadget streaming:The PlayStation 4 can stream games to a PlayStation Vita, if you have one.

As far as the little things go, each console has their benefits.

This is very subjective, but well try and take a small look at whats available for each.

One note: when we talk about exclusivity here, we mean between Sonys console and Microsofts.

Its still a little unclear how limited the selection will be at launch.

It sounds cool, but right now thelist of compatible games is a joke(PDF).

If indies are your thing, grab a PlayStation 4.

When it comes to online features, the Xbox 360 destroyed the PS3.

Nowadays, things are a bit more even.

So, really, the two subscription services are nearly identical, but Playstation Plus costs $10 less.

Game consoles arent just for games anymore.

Beyond that,there are countless otherapps for the Xbox One.

Conversely, while the PlayStation 4s Spotify integration sounds minor, its actually pretty great in practice.

The Xbox Ones cable TV integration and Windows 10 compatibility make it a no-brainer for Windows 10 users.