The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →There is no evidence-based universal winner between PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for competitive FPS games. In Apex Legends, EA documents a 120 FPS mode on both console families when paired with a 120 Hz display and suitable HDMI cable. That establishes support for this mode—not equal frame pacing, input latency, or performance across shooters. Choose based on the games and display you actually use, then compare tested performance in each game and mode.
What matters most for competitive FPS games
A console’s headline capability does not tell you how a particular shooter performs. Check the exact game, console model, and graphics or performance mode you plan to use. The official specifications cited here do not provide a controlled PS5-versus-Xbox benchmark for competitive shooters, so they cannot establish which has lower input latency or steadier frame rates across games.
- Game-specific performance: Look for the game’s supported frame-rate modes, resolution, frame pacing, and patch state on the specific console model.
- Display compatibility: Confirm the display’s refresh rate, resolution, HDMI input and cable support, and compatibility with features such as VRR.
- Controls: Compare stick feel, layout, dead zones, sensitivity options, and your familiarity. A Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III controller guide describes adjustments for sensitivity, layout, and dead zones; it does not demonstrate a universal advantage for either console’s stock controller.
- Friends and accounts: Check cross-play and account rules for each game rather than assuming they apply across the board.
PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S compared
| Option | What the official information establishes | What to check before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 | PlayStation says the console supports HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120 Hz video output. EA documents Apex Legends’ 120 FPS mode on PS5 with a 120 Hz display and suitable cable. | Whether the specific game and mode deliver the performance you want, and whether your display, cable, HDMI port, and settings support the output. |
| Xbox Series X | EA documents Apex Legends’ 120 FPS mode on Xbox Series X|S with a 120 Hz display and suitable cable. Xbox says 4K at up to 120 FPS requires supported content and a supported display. | Game-specific performance and display compatibility. Console capability alone does not mean every game runs at 120 FPS. |
| Xbox Series S | EA includes Series S in its Apex Legends 120 FPS mode guidance. Xbox identifies up to 120 FPS as a Series feature, subject to supported content and display. | Check the individual game’s resolution and performance modes. Shared feature claims do not establish that Series S and Series X produce identical results. |
These are feature and support statements, not a head-to-head performance test. The Xbox console comparison describes manufacturer-listed capabilities; it does not establish comparative results in a particular competitive shooter.
Can PS5 and Xbox run Apex Legends at 120 FPS?
EA’s Apex Legends FPS guide says players on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S can enable 120 FPS mode if they have a 120 Hz display. EA also specifies HDMI cables that support 120 Hz. You need to enable the relevant console output and the game’s Performance option; the console’s capability alone is not enough.
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Enable the mode on PS5
- In the PS5 settings, select the Performance game preset.
- Set Resolution to Automatic and 120 Hz Output to Automatic.
- In Apex Legends, open the Video tab and choose Performance.
Enable the mode 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.
These menu paths reflect EA’s guidance available on October 4, 2026; labels may change with software updates. If a setting is absent, check the console’s current menus and confirm that the display and HDMI cable support 120 Hz.
Do you need a 120 Hz monitor or TV?
For the Apex Legends 120 FPS mode described by EA, yes: EA specifies a 120 Hz display for both console families. A display retailer’s “gaming” label alone is not enough—check its actual refresh rate and console compatibility, including the resolution and HDMI input you intend to use.
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PS5 supports HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120 Hz output, according to PlayStation’s 4K resolution guide. That output capability does not guarantee that every game renders at 4K and 120 FPS. Xbox likewise says 4K at up to 120 FPS depends on supported content and a supported display.
If 4K/120 Hz does not work on PS5
PlayStation recommends checking display capability and firmware, the cable, any receiver or other equipment between the console and display, the selected HDMI port, and the console’s video output settings. In this context, it recommends the included PS5 cable or an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz. Replace a cable only if the one you have does not support the required signal.
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VRR, ALLM, and display features
PlayStation says PS5 VRR synchronizes the display 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. Check the display’s specific feature support rather than assuming a console feature works with every screen. The cited information does not establish a comparable competitive advantage between PS5 and Xbox from VRR or ALLM.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will your friends’ console decide it?
Not necessarily. EA’s Apex Legends FAQ says cross-play is supported across PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and is enabled by default. That makes either console family an option for playing together in Apex; check the rules for other shooters separately.
Quick Recap
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- 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 make the decision
- List your competitive shooters. Find current performance modes for each game on PS5, Series X, and Series S where relevant.
- Match the console to your display. Verify refresh rate, resolution, HDMI input, cable capability, and any VRR or ALLM support you want to use.
- Choose the Xbox model deliberately. Do not assume Series S matches Series X in a game’s resolution or performance just because both share some platform features.
- Try the controls if possible. Familiarity and the ability to tune sensitivity, layout, and dead zones can matter more to your comfort than a presumed stock-controller winner.
- Check cross-play for your games and group. Apex supports cross-play across these console families, but other games can have different rules.
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