Nintendo Switch vs PS5 vs Xbox in Jordan: Which Console to Buy and the Best Gaming Handheld
Nintendo Switch vs PS5, or maybe an Xbox instead? It is one of the most common questions from gamers in Jordan, and the honest answer is that these consoles are built for different kinds of players. The PlayStation 5 is a powerful home console for your TV, the Xbox Series S is a compact digital-only console, and the Nintendo Switch 2 is a hybrid you can play on the TV or carry as a handheld. If you mainly want to play away from the TV, there is also the PlayStation Portal, which streams your PS5 games to a handheld screen at home.
This guide compares PS5 vs Nintendo Switch vs Xbox in plain language, explains what "best gaming handheld" really means, and helps you pick the console that fits how you actually play.
Quick picks
| Console | A strong choice for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 Slim (Disc) | Big-screen gaming, PlayStation exclusives and physical discs | 4K gaming up to 120 fps, ray tracing, Ultra HD Blu-ray drive |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Families, Nintendo games and playing anywhere | 7.9-inch 1080p screen, TV mode up to 4K, Joy-Con 2 controllers |
| Xbox Series S | A compact, digital-only home console | 512GB SSD, 1440p gaming resolution, up to 120 fps |
| PlayStation Portal | PS5 owners who want to play away from the TV at home | 8-inch Full HD screen, streams PS5 games over Wi-Fi |
PS5 vs Nintendo Switch: the core difference
The PS5 and the Nintendo Switch 2 are not really direct rivals. The PS5 is a home console: it connects to your TV and focuses on high-end graphics, fast loading and big cinematic games. The Switch 2 is a hybrid: the console itself is a tablet-like screen with detachable controllers, so you can play on the TV, on a table or in your hands.
- Where you play: PS5 is TV only. Switch 2 works in TV mode, tabletop mode and handheld mode.
- Graphics: PS5 supports 4K gaming up to 120 fps with ray tracing. Switch 2 shows 1080p on its built-in screen and up to 4K on a compatible TV in supported games (4K output is capped at 60 fps).
- Games: PS5 is home to Sony's PlayStation exclusives and plays the vast majority of PS4 games. Switch 2 has Nintendo exclusives such as Mario Kart World and plays compatible Nintendo Switch games, physical and digital.
- Who it suits: PS5 suits players who want the most impressive graphics on a big TV. Switch 2 suits families, kids, local multiplayer and anyone who wants to take their games around the house or on trips.
PS5 vs Xbox: Series S, Series X and price
Comparing Xbox vs PS5 is closer, because both are TV consoles with similar types of games. The main differences are the exclusive games, the subscription services and the hardware tier you choose.
Xbox Series S vs PS5
The Xbox Series S is Microsoft's compact, digital-only model: there is no disc drive, so games are downloaded. It comes with a 512GB SSD, 10GB of RAM and targets a 1440p gaming resolution at up to 120 fps. The PS5 Slim Disc targets 4K gaming, includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive for physical games and movies, and offers more graphics headroom. If you play on a 4K TV and want physical discs, the PS5 is the more complete package. If you want a smaller console and are happy buying games digitally, the Series S is a sensible option.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's higher-end model with a disc drive and 4K as its target, so in hardware terms it sits in the same class as the PS5. For most buyers the decision between them comes down to games: PlayStation exclusives and your friends' platform for online play usually decide it.
What about the price difference?
Prices change often, so we don't quote them here. As a general rule, the Series S is positioned as Microsoft's entry-level console, while the PS5 and the Series X are the higher-end options. You can see the current price of each console on its product page in our game consoles collection. When comparing, include the cost of games, an extra controller and any online subscription, not just the console.
Best gaming handheld: what are your options?
When people search for the best gaming handheld or the best portable gaming device, they usually mean one of two very different things:
A true handheld console: Nintendo Switch 2
The Switch 2 runs games on its own, wherever you are. Its 7.9-inch LCD screen displays in Full HD (1080p), supports HDR and frame rates up to 120 fps, and it has 3D spatial sound in handheld and tabletop modes. Put it in the dock and the same games move to your TV. This is the option to choose if you want to play on trips, in the car as a passenger, or at a friend's house.
A remote player: PlayStation Portal
The PlayStation Portal is not a standalone console. It streams games installed on your PS5 over your home Wi-Fi network, so you need a PS5 and a good Wi-Fi connection. In return you get an 8-inch Full HD touch screen at 60Hz and the full DualSense controller features, including adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. It is ideal when someone else is using the TV, or when you want to play your PS5 games from another room.
PS5 vs Switch OLED and which Nintendo Switch is best
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the previous-generation Switch with a 7-inch OLED screen. Compared to a PS5 it is far less powerful, but it is portable. The newer Switch 2 improves on it with a larger 7.9-inch 1080p screen, up to 4K output on the TV in supported games, magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers that can work as a mouse in compatible games, 256GB of internal storage and GameChat. The Switch 2 also plays compatible Switch games, so your existing library can come with you.
If you are choosing the best Nintendo Switch today and want one console for TV and handheld play, the Switch 2 is a strong choice. The older Switch Lite is handheld-only and cannot connect to a TV.
How to choose the right console
1. Where do you play most?
On the living-room TV: PS5 or Xbox. On the move or around the house: Switch 2. Mostly on the TV but sometimes in another room: PS5 plus PlayStation Portal.
2. Which games do you want?
Check the games first. Football, racing and big action games are popular on PlayStation; Mario, Zelda and family party games are Nintendo exclusives. Choose the platform that has the games you and your friends play.
3. Your TV
If you have a 4K TV, the PS5 makes the most of it. The Series S targets 1440p, and the Switch 2 outputs up to 4K only in supported games and on a compatible display.
4. Discs or digital
The PS5 Slim Disc plays physical discs, which you can lend, swap or resell. The Xbox Series S is digital-only. The Switch 2 plays both physical and digital Switch games.
5. Storage
Modern games are large. The Series S has a 512GB SSD and the Switch 2 has 256GB of internal storage (part of it is reserved for the system). The PS5 can be expanded with a compatible NVMe SSD, which needs some technical knowledge to install.
6. Who will play
For young children and family nights, the Switch 2 with its shareable Joy-Con 2 controllers is very easy to use. For teenagers and adults who play online with friends, the PS5 or Xbox is usually the better fit.
Recommended consoles
PlayStation 5 Slim (Disc, Middle East Edition)
PlayStation 5 Slim Disc delivers 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second, ray tracing for realistic lighting and shadows, near-instant loading from its ultra-high-speed SSD and Tempest 3D AudioTech with compatible headphones. It plays the vast majority of PS4 games and has an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive for physical games.
Good for: big-screen gaming, PlayStation exclusives and players who like physical discs.
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen, plays in TV, tabletop and handheld modes, and outputs up to 4K on a compatible TV in supported games. The Joy-Con 2 controllers attach with magnets, it has 256GB of internal storage, and it plays exclusives like Mario Kart World plus compatible Nintendo Switch games.
Good for: families, local multiplayer and anyone looking for a handheld console that also plays on the TV.
Xbox Series S
Xbox Series S comes with a 512GB custom NVMe SSD, 10GB GDDR6 memory and a custom RDNA 2 GPU, targeting 1440p at up to 120 fps. It supports HDR, Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate, and the box includes an Xbox Wireless Controller and a high-speed HDMI cable.
Good for: a compact digital-only console for players who buy games online.
PlayStation Portal Remote Player
PlayStation Portal streams games installed on your PS5 over home Wi-Fi to an 8-inch Full HD touch screen. It includes DualSense features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, Wi-Fi 5, a 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C charging, and weighs about 520 grams.
Good for: PS5 owners who want to keep playing while the TV is in use.
Tips before you buy
- Plan for a second controller. Two-player games need one per player. For PS5 there is the DualSense controller with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers; for Xbox there is the Xbox Wireless Controller, which also connects to Windows PCs and mobile devices.
- Use a wired connection for the PS5 if you can. For downloads, online play and Remote Play to the Portal, a LAN cable to the console gives a more stable connection than Wi-Fi.
- Check online requirements. Online multiplayer generally needs a subscription on each platform (for example Nintendo Switch Online for GameChat and online features on Switch 2).
- Think about a headset. Voice chat and 3D audio are much better with a good headset; see our gaming headset guide below.
Frequently asked questions
Nintendo Switch vs PS5: which should I buy?
Buy the PS5 if you mainly play on a TV and want the best graphics and PlayStation exclusives. Buy the Nintendo Switch 2 if you want to play handheld as well as on the TV, or if the console is for family and kids.
PS5 vs Nintendo Switch vs Xbox: which is the best gaming console?
There is no single best gaming console. PS5 is a strong choice for high-end TV gaming, Xbox Series S for a compact digital-only console, and Switch 2 for portability and Nintendo games. Pick based on the games you want and where you play.
Xbox vs PS5 price: which costs more?
Prices change, so check each console's product page for the current price. The Series S is Microsoft's entry-level model, while the PS5 and the Xbox Series X are the higher-end consoles.
Xbox Series S vs PS5: is the difference big?
Yes, in a few areas: the PS5 Slim Disc targets 4K and has a disc drive, while the Series S targets 1440p and is digital-only with a 512GB SSD. Both support up to 120 fps in supported games.
PS5 vs Switch OLED: which is better?
The PS5 is much more powerful but works only on a TV. The Switch OLED is portable with a 7-inch OLED screen. If you like the Switch idea, the newer Switch 2 adds a larger 1080p screen and up to 4K TV output in supported games.
What is the best gaming handheld?
For a handheld that runs games on its own, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a strong choice. If you already own a PS5 and want to play it from anywhere in the house, the PlayStation Portal is built for that, but it needs your PS5 and Wi-Fi to work.
Does the Nintendo Switch 2 play old Switch games?
Yes, it plays compatible Nintendo Switch games, both physical and digital. Some Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible, so check Nintendo's compatibility information for a specific title.
Browse all consoles and accessories in our game consoles collection. If you have settled on PlayStation, read Which PS5 to Buy in Jordan, and to complete your setup see our best gaming headset guide.
