The Xbox Series X Surpasses PlayStation 5 in Achieving True 8K@60 FPS with HDR Output

Reports have surfaced indicating that while the Xbox Series X can effortlessly achieve true 8K resolution at 60 frames per second with HDR output, the PlayStation 5 falls short of this capability.

The PlayStation 5, despite its claims displayed prominently on the packaging, lacks the technical capacity to deliver authentic 8K resolution at 60 FPS with HDR output. Digital Foundry elaborated on the removal of the 8K sticker from the console’s packaging, revealing that the system’s HDMI output is restricted to 32 gigabits per second. This limitation prevents the PlayStation 5 from supporting 8K resolution at 60 FPS without compromises like 420 chroma subsampling, a method that minimizes bandwidth requirements by reducing the resolution of specific color channels. The console’s 8-bit per channel offering also inhibits it from enabling HDR at 8K resolution. In contrast, the Xbox Series X boasts a higher bandwidth HDMI output that allows it to sustain 8K resolution at 60 FPS with HDR output, albeit still necessitating chroma subsampling.

While neither the PlayStation 5 nor the Xbox Series X received 8K output support through firmware updates, the necessity for this feature is questionable given the current scarcity of 8K content and displays. Enabling 8K output would primarily serve to offload the scaling responsibility onto the consoles instead of the TVs; however, due to memory limitations, the consoles would likely not outperform TVs in this regard.

Looking ahead, the rumored PlayStation 5 Pro release later this year is not anticipated to reintroduce the 8K output resolution support sticker. With the diminishing marketing appeal of 8K resolution, Sony is expected to emphasize alternative features to entice consumers to upgrade to its latest system.