New Buyers Guide: The Differences between PS4 and Xbox One

[Kassen]

I figured it would be a good idea to make a thread to help those intending to get next gen consoles in the future to understand the differences in the experience they will get from either being an Xbox One owner or a PS4 owner. Please no mention of graphics, GPU specs, or RAM specs. And no fanboying warz. This is just an information thread for us to help out future next gen buyers. And I will update the OP with all the compiled details as we get more info to fill in the gaps.

I'll confess I don't own an Xbox One so any help on that side would be really appreciated. Here are some details I have learned about the PS4, and if you Xbox One owners can, let me know if anything I list differs from what you are getting with Xbox One and also let me know if you feel there is a feature or benefit the Xbox One has that the PS4 doesn't.


Positives of the PS4

• Automatic game installs and updates conveniently in the background.
• PSN Plus allows you two free games selected by Sony each month. (I think)
• Music Unlimited (Sony's Xbox Music equivalent) only costs $5 per month subscription.
• Free HDMI cable included in the box.
• Great graphics.
• Touchpad on DualShock 4 is cool and is a press-able, clickable button too.
• The DualShock triggers are great this time around.
• Capturing videos and screenshots is easy
• Screenshots are high quality and lossless (before uploading)

Negatives of the PS4

• Your captured videos and screenshots are not accessible when offline despite the content being stored locally on your PS4 hard drive.
• Your profile is also not accessible when offline despite the content being stored locally on your PS4 hard drive.
• Your trophies not accessible when offline despite the content being stored locally on your PS4 hard drive.
• Your purchased videos of TV shows and movies purchased from the PSN store are not accessible when offline and can only be stream from their service.
• No local music or videos allowed on the PS4 console. All of the media on your external USB drive will go completely unrecognized. All music must be streamed from Music Unlimited.
• Settings is a bit of a mess. Video options are in the Sound options, etc.
• Lack of Apps is disappointing. Youtube and Pandora are a no-show. Only 11 apps currently available: Amazon, Redbox Instant, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudo HD Movies, NVA Game Time, Crackle, Crunchyroll, Epix, NHL Gamecenter, and YuppTV.
• Internet browser still meh.
• Battlefield 4 multiplayer is currently broken and non-functional.

 

[TeKPhaN]

.........

 

[dkrause71]

I don't see the reason for this thread, as it screams console war. Anyway i'll play along without mentioning specs or game libraries, etc.

Potential Sony Pros you didn't mention:
The UI is very fast
You can stream to twitch and watch gameplay from the system
Some games have cross buy
The system is less expensive
only multiplayer is behind the pay wall
At regular prices PSN+ is $10 cheaper
you can use your tablet or phone as a second screen
Remote play with the vita
Potentially Gaikai with streaming of games
Can plug headphones into controller
speaker on controller
Can do voice commands without the camera thru the controller
You can use your real name with friends, and an alias with others on your friends list
Can use PS4 controller on PC
Controller charging cable in the box
Launch at least came with free month of PS+, unlimited music and $10 PSN credit.
Can switch out internal hard drive.

Offhand those are some others you could list.


I am not sure what you mean with this part

• Settings is a bit of a mess. Video options are in the Sound options, etc.

If you are under Sound and Screen, Audio Output settings and talking about Primary Output port- that is in reference to where your sound is coming out of. If that isn't where you're looking just tell me what setting title you're talking about. Settings seem fine to me.


Additional Cons:
Horrible download times on PSN this week.
DS4 battery length is shorter than DS3.
The light on the DS4 can bother some people.
Capturing difficult without HDCP stripper currently.
No external HD support other than FAT 32.

I think many "negatives" will be fixed on both consoles. Both already stated many will be fixed soon. So both will improve over time.

 

[consolewarz]

This will end well.

 

[Andy]

Yeah, I don't think this is necessary. It'll just lead to the same ol' arguments.