Neither PS5 nor Xbox Series X|S is a proven universal winner for competitive FPS games. In Apex Legends, EA documents a 120 FPS mode for both console families when paired with a 120 Hz display and suitable HDMI cables. That establishes support for this mode in one game; it does not show that either platform has lower input latency, steadier frame pacing, or better performance across shooters.
Choose based on the specific games you play, measured performance in those games and modes, your display, controller preference, and where your friends play. Treat Xbox Series X and Series S as distinct options, too: shared feature support does not mean identical game output.
What the evidence says about PS5 vs. Xbox in FPS games
For Apex Legends, EA says players on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S can enable a 120 FPS mode if they have a 120 Hz display; the HDMI cables must also support 120 Hz. See EA’s Apex Legends FPS guide.
This is a game-specific feature, not a head-to-head performance test. Console support for a high refresh rate does not guarantee that every shooter runs at 120 FPS, or that a game sustains its target equally well on each platform. Xbox explicitly qualifies 4K at up to 120 FPS as dependent on supported content and a supported display in its console comparison. The official material cited here does not establish which console has lower input latency or more stable frame rates across competitive shooters.
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How to compare consoles for your games
Check performance in the exact game and mode
Look for current, game-specific evidence on frame-rate options, frame pacing, resolution, and the patch version being tested. A console’s headline output capability is not a substitute for results in the shooter you actually play. No controlled PS5-versus-Xbox benchmark across competitive FPS titles is established by the official sources cited here, so avoid treating a general claim of superiority as proven.
Match the console to your display
For the documented Apex 120 FPS mode, EA requires a 120 Hz display and compatible HDMI cables. PS5 supports HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120 Hz video output, according to PlayStation’s resolution guide. The game still determines which modes it supports, and Xbox likewise conditions its 4K/120 FPS feature on supported content and display hardware.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
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- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
PlayStation says PS5 Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the console’s output on compatible HDMI 2.1 VRR displays; results vary by TV and game. Its Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) also requires a compatible display. Details are on PlayStation’s PS5 features page. Check your display’s exact HDMI inputs, supported resolution and refresh rate, and VRR compatibility rather than relying only on its advertised maximum refresh rate.
Compare Series X and Series S separately
Xbox lists up to 120 FPS among Series console features, but that does not mean every game has the same resolution or performance mode on Series S and Series X. Compare the specific game’s settings and results for the model you intend to buy. The Xbox comparison page describes manufacturer features, not independent performance benchmarks.
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Choose the controller you can use consistently
Stick feel, button layout, dead zones, sensitivity, and familiarity can matter to your comfort and control. Call of Duty’s Modern Warfare III controller guide describes settings such as sensitivity, layout, and dead zones, but it does not establish a universal advantage for either console’s stock controller. If possible, try both or compare the controls in the games you play before deciding.
Check cross-play and your friends’ platforms
Friends do not necessarily need to own the same console family. EA says Apex Legends supports cross-play across PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and cross-platform play is enabled by default, according to its Apex Legends FAQ. Check the individual game’s cross-play and account rules before treating platform choice as a group constraint.
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
How to enable 120 FPS in Apex Legends
EA’s guide specifies these console and in-game settings for the 120 FPS mode. The route assumes a 120 Hz display and HDMI cables that support 120 Hz. Menu labels can change with software updates; if yours differ, check the current console and game menus.
On PS5
- Set the console’s game preset to Performance.
- Set resolution to Automatic and 120 Hz Output to Automatic.
- In Apex Legends, open the Video tab and choose Performance.
On Xbox Series X|S
- Open Settings > General > TV & display options and select 120 Hz.
- In Apex Legends, open the Video tab and choose Performance.
If 4K/120 Hz is not available on PS5
PlayStation recommends checking the display’s capabilities and firmware, the HDMI cable, any receiver or other device between the console and display, the selected HDMI port, and the console’s video output settings. For this signal, its guide recommends the included PS5 cable or an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz. Consult the PS5 4K resolution guide for the relevant checks. A replacement cable is only needed if the one you have does not support the required signal.
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- Start with your main shooter: confirm its available modes and current performance on the exact console model you are considering.
- Check the display: verify the input, resolution, refresh rate, and any VRR feature you plan to use.
- Consider controls and play group: assess controller comfort, and check whether your specific games support cross-play.
- Compare the right Xbox models: do not assume Series S and Series X deliver identical resolution or performance in a given title.
If Apex Legends at 120 FPS is your deciding case, both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have an EA-documented route to that mode with the required display and cable. For a broader competitive advantage across FPS games, the official evidence cited here does not identify a winner; a game-by-game comparison is the meaningful basis for choosing.
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