Data Backup Digest

Whether you're ready or not, the next generation of consoles is upon us. Ushered in by systems like the Sony PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X (and Series S), the new video game consoles are set to hit shelves this holiday season.

But what are the storage options like for these new consoles? How much capacity do they have to begin with? Can their storage capacities be upgraded? Are they still able to take advantage of cloud-based storage options like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One?

Sony PlayStation 5

The default PlayStation 5 system features 825 GB of internal storage capacity. While this seems like a rather odd number at first glance, it comes down to freedom in manufacturing. Since they are using a proprietary drive, they're able to optimize their drive for their specific hardware; and 825 GB just happens to be a perfect match for their 12-channel interface.

In comparison, Sony's original PlayStation 4 launched with 500 GB of storage space. An upgraded version was available that featured 1 TB of storage capacity, which eventually became the standard offering when the PlayStation Slim was released in 2016. In either case, the capacity could be expanded even further with external drives and cloud-based storage for saved game files.

The PlayStation 4 also used a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) for storage, while the new PlayStation 5 relies solely on a solid-state drive (SSD). While Sony has confirmed that this capacity can be upgraded, they have yet to state any limitations on speed or capacity. Unfortunately, it appears those who want to expand their storage with an external USB drive can only do so to store and play older PS4 games on the next-gen console.

Finally, it's expected that Sony will continue their cloud-based service for storing backups of your personal saved game files, so you won't have to worry about using up your precious hard drive space to store your massive library of past saved games.

Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S

Gamers are also excited for the Microsoft Xbox Series X and its streamlined counterpart, the Microsoft Xbox Series S. Developers have already confirmed that both consoles will launch with 1 TB of SSD capacity, so they've already got the edge over Sony in that regard.

Both the Microsoft Xbox Series X and the Series S can be upgraded. However, standard USB drives can't match the consistency and speeds of the system's internal drive. While they can still be used, Microsoft has teamed up with Seagate to offer a customized, 1TB Storage Expansion Card. Similar to memory cards seen in older systems, this is a quick and easy way to upgrade the Microsoft Series X or Series S without suffering any noticeable performance setbacks.

Microsoft will continue to offer cloud-based saved game storage, similar to Sony's offering. As such, you won't have to worry about deleting your saved games after you've finished the title. Instead, you'll be able to save them online in case you ever want to return to an older game and pickup where you left off.