Do the New Xbox and PlayStation Redefine Luxury Tech?

Even casual observers of the gaming sector need to know: in just a couple of weeks, it’s gonna be game on. Our correspondent Jeanette Settembre has the download on everything you need to know about the new gaming consoles – Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S – which are sure to be among the best 2020 luxury tech holiday gifts. ‘Cause if anyone on your holiday gift list is a gamer, you need to know about the latest updates on the most popular gaming consoles – and you need to pre-order one now.

New gaming consoles just in time for holiday 2020 gifting

Let the games begin! The luxury tech gaming console wars are heating up as the 2020 holidays approach. There are a number of new 2020 launches coming, including new Xbox and PlayStation consoles. They’re the alphas in this competition, so make way for Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S. 

After all the tough times in 2020, at least we have new Xbox and PlayStation launches to celebrate! Microsoft is slated to put out its new Xbox consoles on November 10. While PlayStation 5, Sony’s latest version of its gaming console, is anticipated to drop on November 12. 

Whether you’re a die-hard gamer, shopping for one or looking to dabble as a first-timer, we’re plugged in to everything you need to know about each of the new 2020 XBox and PlayStation systems, from price point to design aesthetic and audio functionality. 

Xbox Series X, $499 

First up among the new Xbox and PlayStation offerings for 2020 is a luxurious and sleek Microsoft product. The vertical, all-black gaming tower Xbox Series X bills itself as “the fastest, most powerful Xbox ever.” Games built for this series are said to have significantly reduced load times and crystal clear images at up to 120 frames per second. That means the console delivers life-like lighting and shadows to make gamers feel like they’re truly in the game. 

 

PRE-ORDER NOW – $499.

Best For: Speed

Gamers looking for a console that is most similar to a PC should opt for the Series X, experts say. It features double the processing power of an Xbox One X, and a slew of techy improvements. Game aficionados will be happy to know that the Xbox Series X includes noteworthy hardware specs. TechCrunch reports that they include an 8-core custom CPU, 16 GB of RAM, a GPU with  12 teraflops of processing power and a 1 TB NVMe SSD for fast loading and transfer speeds.  

XBOX Series S, $299 

Microsoft is also launching a mini version of the new 2020 console, the Xbox Series S, at a more accessible price point – probably to stay competitive with the new PlayStation.

Aesthetically, we actually prefer the look of the Series S. It’s more modern and fresh than the Series X, with an all-white tower and speaker in the middle.

PRE-ORDER NOW – $299.

Best For: Value

For average users, the Series S may be just as good as its more expensive older sibling. It’s designed with faster loading times, and support for up to 1140p resolution at 120 frames per second. The Series S offers 4K upscaling and video playback (admittedly, this is less than the Series X, which supports up to 8K resolution). The Series S uses the same CPU as the Series X, so gamers who aren’t looking to break the bank on a new console may be just as satisfied with the Series S. 

PlayStation 5

Sony’s new 2020 PlayStation is the series 5, the first new launch since 2013 and timed to drop soon after the new Microsoft XBox Series. The fifth generation of the popular gaming console features Tempest, a proprietary 3D audio engine that links user’s  sounds to specific objects in the game. So you hear your own movement at home while you play the game, for a fully immersive experience. Similar to the the new 2020 XBox Series S, the new PlayStation5 will support up to 8K resolution and up to 120 frames per second. 

PRE-ORDER NOW – $399.

Best For: Sound

Audio is one of the main attractions to Sony’s new 2020 PlayStation, so audiophiles should seriously consider opting for it over either of the new XBox offerings.

You’ll want a great pair of headphones or speakers to fully enjoy it. The PS5 will be compatible with any of the most popular headphones, surround sound systems, speakers, sound bars or sound systems. Sony takes the audio experience a step further by giving users five different profiles to customize the perfect sound setting. 

And for gifting purposes, you should know that the PS5 has its own suite of add-on accessories. And since most PS4 games are not compatible with the PS5 (natch), you’ll need to stock up on their favorite games, too.

New gaming consoles just in time for holiday 2020 gifting

That’s what you need to know about the new Xbox and PlayStation launches in fall 2020. Now you can figure out which of these shiny new 2020 luxury tech toys will be perfect for you – or for the tech gear and gadget lovers on your holiday gift list. Game on!

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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links. 

Jeanette Settembre is a New York City features writer and editor specializing in lifestyle, food, and travel. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, WSJ Magazine and Architectural Digest, among many other publications. Jeanette started her career in journalism as a features reporter for the New York Daily News, where she edited Entertainment and wrote the Sunday food column “Eats Beat.”

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