Comparisons between the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are inevitable. On paper, the Xbox Series X features more impressive hardware specifications strictly by the numbers, but Sony is claiming its solid-state drive technology is unprecedented and will "completely change" game development. The jury is still out on the results each next-gen console will provide, but one person is confident in their decisionmaking. Xbox boss Phil Spencer is feeling good about his team's choices for the Xbox One X.
On a recent IGN Unlocked podcast, Phil Spencer answered a few questions, or at least answered them as much as he was able to. When asked about Sony's recent unveiling of the PS5's technical specs, Spencer didn't hold back. "When we saw the public disclosure," he said, referring to Mark Cerny's PS5 presentation, "I felt even better about the choices that we made on our platform." While Spencer supporting the Xbox Series X over the PS5 isn't surprising, the confidence he's showing is likely to turn some heads.
Spencer doesn't act surprised about his conclusion, either. He later adds that he "kind of expected that I would" feel good about Xbox's choices with the Xbox Series X compared to the PS5. Xbox's plans clearly involved having stronger GPU and CPU specifications in the Xbox Series X compared to the PS5.
What Spencer's comments don't tell fans is whether or not Xbox expected Sony's SSD plan. Spencer is still confident after hearing details about the PS5's SSD, yes, but that doesn't mean it was taken into consideration while designing the Xbox Series X. Whether Xbox did or not could play a significant factor in how well the two consoles ultimately compare.
Ultimately, Spencer's comments can't be taken as evidence one way or another regarding which console is "superior," so to speak. Spencer will back the Xbox Series X regardless of his feelings about the PS5's hardware.
Two factors will ultimately decide whether the PS5 or the Xbox Series X is the "stronger" console overall. First, it'll be the players, because hardware specifications hardly matter to a fan who prefers a platform simply due to being a fan. Second, it'll be the games. If Xbox Series X doesn't have games that utilize its stronger specs in meaningful ways, then it's all for moot. If Sony can't find ways to turn its SSD advantage into tangible in-game benefits, then it's all for moot. It's going to be an exciting console launch one way or another.
The PS5 and the Xbox Series X release holiday 2020.