Sony PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Who will win the next-gen console war?

The next-generation gaming consoles are coming next week, but we already know which one is going to come out on top.

Sony and Microsoft are preparing to go another round as the war between the console manufacturers approaches its third decade.

Microsoft will fire the first shot with the release of the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles on November 10 (we’ve already reviewed both if you’re trying to decide which one to get).

Two days later Sony’s PS5 will get into the hands of fans (check back here on the weekend for a review of that one too).

The PS5 and Xbox Series X are similarly powerful (the Xbox ever so slightly more) on paper specs.

They cost the same: $749. (A digital only PS5 is $600 and the less powerful, digital only Series S is $499.)

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Microsoft new console features some slightly changed designs.

The controller for the PS5 has an immersive new vibration feature called ‘Haptic Touch’.

Both have significantly improved graphics, faster solid state storage, and newly designed controllers for smoother and more immersive gaming in 4K resolution.

For some, exclusive games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PS5 or Gears 5 on Xbox Series X/S could be the deciding factor, while others might stick with the same console platform they embraced the last time around.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a launch title for the PS5.

If that’s the case Sony will be the winner, having previously trounced the Xbox One in sales.

As of September, Sony had sold more than 113.5 million PS4 consoles.

Microsoft doesn’t disclose a number but is estimated to have sold less than 50 million Xbox One consoles.

They might have lost relevancy when it comes to determining who will an election, but polling on consumer demand for the next-generation consoles is presumably 100 per cent accurate, which is bad news for one consolemaker.

According to a poll of more than 30,000 news.com.au readers, the Sony PS5 is by far the console we’re most excited about.

A news.com.au reader poll of more than 30,000 shows a clear winner.

A couple of months ago we started asking which of the new consoles you planned to buy.

Almost two-thirds of respondents have the PS5 in their sights, while less than a quarter are lusting after the Xbox Series X or Series S.

Around 10 per cent of respondents with particularly deep pockets are hoping to pick up both.

Of course, unless you’ve managed to secure a pre-order already (as hard as that was) you’ll probably be waiting a little while to get either of the new consoles.

Retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and EB Games have all sold out of their launch day consoles via the pre-order process.

EB Games is now offering pre-orders for PS5 consoles arriving next year with a $50 deposit to secure your place in line.

Xbox consoles are “expected” before the end of the year but require a higher $200 deposit.

JB Hi-Fi doesn’t have either console listed anywhere on its website.

Harvey Norman doesn’t have any of the new Xbox consoles on its site.

An ad for the digital-only PS5 claims it’s “coming back soon”, but you can’t reserve one.