PS5 Digital Edition vs Xbox Series S: What's the difference, and which cheap next-gen console should you buy?

As the next-gen of consoles kicks off, we are likely to see the launch of not two but FOUR brand-new consoles.

While the PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S may be based heavily on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, there are some differences that justify this distinction.

And today, pre-orders have officially begun for the next-gen Xbox: you can click here to see the official Amazon product page for the Xbox Series X console, or here for the Xbox Series S. This means it's time for making your mind up!

CHECK IT OUT:Amazon's official product page for the PS5

Read on to find out what we know about the two consoles, and which you should buy!

What is the PS5 Digital Edition?

Revealed alongside the PS5 at the PS5 reveal event in June, the Digital Edition is a discless version of the Sony's next-gen console.

This means the only way to buy or play games will be through digital codes or via the PlayStation Store.

The PS5's Digital Edition will cost $100/£90 less than the base console, and is priced at £359.99/$399.99.

READ MORE: PS5 Standard Edition vs PS5 Digital Edition

What is the Xbox Series S?

After leaks from Thurott revealed the Series S' design, Xbox confirmed the existence of the low-budget alternative to the Series X in early September.

Much like the PS5 Digital Edition, the Series S appears to have no visible disc drive, suggesting it will also only play digital games. However, to make up for the differences between the Series X and the Series S, the smaller console will only cost $299 (£249) when it launches.

READ MORE: Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X

What are the differences between the Xbox Series S and PS5 Digital Edition?

While the specs of the Xbox Series S do suggest it will be the least powerful of the next-gen consoles, Microsoft promises that due to its internal architecture, the console will still run games at a level next-gen gaming deserves.

The PS5's budget console, however, is exactly the same as the PS5, aside from its lack of disc drive, which actually makes the console look nicer if you prefer a symmetrical device.

However, this difference in power between the budget consoles and their next-gen counterparts is reflected in the prices. The PS5 Digital Edition costs £110 more than the Series S.

Aside from these specific differences, many of the differences between the PS5 and Series X remain, including the games lineup, UI, and the release date.

READ MORE: Xbox Series X price vs PS5 price history

Should I buy the Xbox Series S or PS5 Digital Edition?

The answer to this question depends on what you value more.

As both consoles have no disc drive, the deciding factor is if you want a cheaper, less powerful console in the Series S, or a more powerful and more expensive console in the PS5 Digital Edition.

If you don't care about performance, and just want to upgrade to the next-gen console for when developers inevitably stop making games for the PS4 and Xbox One, then picking up the Xbox Series S would make sense.

While the Series S will be supported until the PS6 and whatever the new Xbox is called, this won't be without any issues. As games become larger, the console may struggle to run these games without stuttering, frame drops, and overheating.

READ MORE:PS5 vs Xbox Series X release date: Which next-gen console will launch first?

PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S pre-orders

If you've made your decision on which console you'll want to buy ahead of the November releases, now comes the time to pre-order it.

The PS5 Digital Edition's pre-orders began on September 17, and as of the time of writing, appears to be sold out across most retailers. The Amazon product page for the Digital Edition says 'Currently Unavailable', though it might have updated since as Amazon scrambles to boost its stock level.

As for the Xbox Series S, pre-orders opened on 22 September alongside the Xbox Series X. You can view the console's pre-order page on Amazon from this link, although as with the PS5 Digital Edition, the situation is constantly changing, and it may already be sold out.

CHECK IT OUT:Amazon's Official Xbox Series X page