Thanks to Xbox’s price hike, the Series S is now more expensive than the PS5

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On rare occasions, we feature PlayStation deals on our site primarily focused on Windows and Xbox news. However, this week’s surprise announcement about Microsoft raising prices across its consoles, accessories, and games has made it challenging to ignore the current superior value offered by PlayStation.

Currently, Sony is selling PS5 Slim Digital bundles with Astro Bot for $449.99, which undercuts the standard PS5 Slim without the Astro Bot Game of the Year 2024 by a significant $50.

What’s even more striking and potentially embarrassing is how this compares to Xbox’s recent price adjustments. The PS5 Slim Digital 1TB now costs $20 less than the equivalent Xbox Series S, which has seen its price increase from $349.99 to $429.99. For those seeking the most value for their money, the balance has clearly tipped in favor of PlayStation.

Xbox Series S vs PS5 Digital

Previously, I would enthusiastically suggest the Xbox Series S as an affordable entry into modern gaming. Even though I still adore mine, its recent price increase makes it less appealing for most people to buy. Coincidentally, while revising my Xbox Series S review due to the loss of its former $299.99 price tag, I discovered an attractive PlayStation deal instead.

The difference in price between the Xbox Series S and Sony’s offerings has become too tight, causing discomfort. The PS5 Slim Digital Edition, which doesn’t have the technical trade-offs of the Series S, is priced at $449.99. To make matters worse, PS5 Slim Digital Astro Bot bundles can currently be found for less than that price, making Sony’s console an even more appealing choice.

It’s important to clarify that Xbox continues to be my preferred choice due to its extensive Xbox Game Pass library and the high volume of games I enjoy playing on it. However, if you don’t have an investment in Xbox Game Pass or are keen on accessing PlayStation exclusives like Forza, Sea of Thieves, and Indiana Jones, then the PS5 Digital Edition might be more appealing at this moment.

It’s important to point out that both Xbox Series S and PS5 Slim Digital have distinct philosophies in their designs. The Xbox Series S prioritizes a smaller, portable form factor over raw performance and graphical detail, making it a lighter alternative to the Series X. On the other hand, the PS5 Slim Digital delivers the same performance as its disc-drive counterpart, with an option to add a drive later if desired.

Right now, for the price, PlayStation simply offers more.

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2025-05-03 20:09