UPDATE 20/11/13: Microsoft has just announced that streaming to Twitch is not a launch feature for the Xbox One. The table has been updated to reflect this.
Sony and Microsoft are on the brink of a new round in the console wars, and for once the playing field is relatively even.
Both consoles are launching within a week of each other in the US, Canada and several European countries. Microsoft’s launch is limited to 13 countries initially, while Sony is rolling out their launch for 32 countries around the world.
The PS4 will launch in SA on 13 December 2013, but the Xbox One will only land much later, with no local data confirmed.
Despite market differences locally, across the ocean the month of November will be a very important one for both Sony and Microsoft, and because there are so many facets to the new consoles, here’s a handy comparison detailing everything we know so far about both products.
| Xbox One | Playstation 4 | |
| Price (Rands) | TBA | R6299 |
| Launch date | TBA | 13 December 2013 |
| What’s in the box | Xbox One console, Xbox one controller, wired headset, Kinect 2.0, HDMI cable, power cable, power brick, codes for Day One exclusive content | Playstation 4 console, Dualshock 4 controller, HDMI cable, power cable, wired mono headset, 14-day PS Plus trial |
| What’s not in the box | Controller Play and charge kit, 3rd-party peripherals | Playstation Eye, controller charging base, PS4 vertical stand, Nyko Smart clip, PS Vita, Playstation Move, 3rd-party peripherals |
| Hard drive size | 500GB | 500GB |
| Play as you download | Yes, on launch, varies by game | Yes, on launch, varies by game |
| User-replaceable hard drive | No, requires voiding warranty | Yes, up to 12.5mm in height (unofficially) |
| Multiplayer services | Yes, through Xbox Live | Yes, through Playstation Network |
| Online subscription | Xbox Live Gold, approx R500/year | Playstation Plus, R489/year |
| Account region swaps | Yes, one every 3 months (subject to terms and conditions) | No (multiple PSN accounts from different regions are possible on one console) |
| Offline mode | Yes, after mandatory patch | Yes |
| Customisable UI/Themes | Yes (coloured tiles) | No (planned feature) |
| Install games to external drive | No (planned feature) | No |
| System boot times (cold) | 17 seconds | 30 seconds |
| System boot times (warm) | 17 seconds | 21 seconds |
| Fast Resume supported | Yes | No (planned feature) |
| Resume game/app from sleep | Yes | Yes |
| DLNA compatibility | Yes (certification pending) | No (planned feature) |
| Music Playback | Yes, through audio CD and Xbox Music | Yes, through Music Unlimited MP3, CD support planned |
| Movie Playback | Yes, through Xbox Video, 3rd-party streaming apps, Blu-Ray and DVD, DLNA | Yes, through Video Unlimited, 3rd-party streaming apps, Blu-Ray and DVD, DLNA |
| Streaming from connected devices | Yes, through Microsoft’s Play To service (similar to Apply Airplay | No (possibly a future feature) |
| UltraHD 4K compatibility | Yes, for media only | Yes, for media only |
| Region locks | No (publisher’s right reserved) | No (publisher’s right reserved) |
| Parental controls | Yes, similar to 360 | Yes, similar to PS3, sub accounts change to master accounts at age 18 |
| Second screen devices | Yes, on Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Android4.0+, iOS devices | Yes, on PS Vita, PS Vita TV, Android 4.0+, iOS devices, some Smart TVs |
| Remote play devices | No (planned feature) | Yes, on PS Vita, PS Vita TV, Xperis Play (planned feature), other mobile devices (also planned) |
| Multi-tasking and task switching | Yes, on launch | Yes, on launch |
| Internet Browser |
Internet Explorer-based | Webkit-based |
| Voice navigation | Yes, with Kinect | Yes, with wired headset and Playstation Eye |
| Gesture navigation | No (planned feature) | No |
| Portable game collection | Yes, your digital library travels with you | Yes, your digital library travels with you |
| Digital game sharing | Yes, on main console | Yes, on main console |
| Game streaming partners | Twitch.tv and Xbox Live using Upload Studio (requires Gold subscription)(Twitch streaming only in 2014) | Twitch.tv, uStream (free for both), and PSN using PS4 upload service |
| Game capture upload partners | Twitch.tv, Microsoft Skydrive, Xbox Live | Twitch.tv, Facebook |
| Game capture time limit | 5 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Anti-spoilers for game capture | No (possibly planned feature) | Yes, game and developer dependant |
| Use of real names | No | Yes, optional for profiles linked to PSN/SEN |
| Facebook integration | No | Yes |
| Twitter integration | No | Yes |
| Friends list limit | 1000+ (ongoing development) | 2000 (device dependant) |
| Automatic updates | Yes, for games, apps and firmware | Yes, for games, apps and firmware |
| Skype integration | Yes, using Kinect | No |
More console news:
Xbox One games install sizes add up fast
Xbox One is being maxed out: Forza developer
PS4 is better than Xbox One, says Sony
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