Which Xbox One console is better, the Series X or the Series S? If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft’s consoles, you can be confused between these two consoles, especially because they are promoted in tandem with new games. In spite of this, the two are fundamentally different in terms of capability, power, and other qualities.
There is no apparent winner in this console war between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S. What constitutes the best gaming system for you is a matter of personal choice, financial means, and desired features. Does a disc drive, for instance, serve a necessary purpose? How high of a priority is native 4K output for you? Things of this nature require thought.
The Xbox One S has a 1TB solid-state drive (SSD) and can hold about 16 games. It is worth noting that both the Xbox series X and the Xbox series S can be upgraded with a Seagate 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB Storage Expansion Card, however, the former can only store about four or five games while the latter can store only about two. Lastly, the Xbox series Series X can render games in native 4K at 60 frames per second, while the Xbox Series S can only achieve 1440p.
The Xbox Velocity Architecture, which enables features like Quick Resume, the user interface, and the controller are all identical. Both can access and utilize the same media apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, and more crucially, both can run the same game titles.
The Xbox Series X, the pinnacle of Microsoft’s gaming lineup, is up first. One of the most powerful consoles out there right now, it can display 4K resolution images. These specs look great on paper, and its tower-style, the small form factor is both distinctive and understated. However, it costs as much as the PlayStation 5 at $499 (£449; AU$749).
If you’re looking for an Xbox console, the Series S model is a far more wallet-friendly and less-powerful option. Since it’s only available digitally, however, you’ll have to rely on the Microsoft Store for all of your purchasing needs. However, Microsoft‘s Netflix-like Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming (exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate users) allow players to stream games and remove some of the digital-only restrictions.
XBOX Series X and XBOX Series S Price
The Xbox Series X was released on November 10, 2020, for $499 (or £449, or AU$749). In terms of cutting-edge technology, this console is on par with the PlayStation 5 (also $499) and even surpasses it in several ways. While this may be out of reach for some consumers, it puts the Xbox Series X in a competitive position against Sony’s hardware.
Launched at the same time as the Series X, the Xbox Series S is significantly less expensive at $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499. Consumers who are very mindful about their spending will appreciate the $200 savings. That’s a significant discount compared to the PS5 Digital Edition, which has the same features as the standard PS5 but was originally priced at $399.99 (or £359.99 or AU$599).
These costs could, however, go up in the future. Console makers have been increasing pricing as of late, with the latest examples being the Oculus Quest 2 and the PS5 price increase. The price of the PS5 Digital Edition has increased to £389.99, €449.99, or $AU649.95.
XBOX Series X and XBOX Series S Specifications
We have officially entered the next generation of video game consoles thanks to the Xbox Series X, which is a true powerhouse.
The Xbox Series X is twice as powerful as the Xbox One X, Microsoft’s previous generation’s flagship console, thanks to its 12 teraflop GPU that can support up to 120 frames per second. It’s up to date with cutting-edge capabilities like ray tracing, variable-rate shading, and even 8K resolution support.
With its custom-made, ultra-fast NVMe SSD, the Xbox Series X eliminates the need to wait for games to boot up or load new levels. The solid-state drive (SSD) is integrated into the console’s innovative Velocity Architecture, which enables you to pause numerous games simultaneously. Additionally, this makes everything feel quicker and more responsive.
Microsoft’s goal with the Xbox Series S is to finally eliminate the need for a lag-free gaming experience. TVs with HDMI 2.1 support are able to make the most of cutting-edge features including Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), enhanced Xbox controller connectivity, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support.
While compact, the Xbox Series S is packed with impressive power. Instead of supporting native 4K, the console aims for 1440p and can reach 120 frames per second (however certain games do support native 4K). It has a processor nearly identical to the Xbox Series X’s, but the GPU is significantly weaker than the Series X’s, with just 10GB of GDDR6 RAM.
Xbox Head Phil Spencer has made it clear that they will not stop making acquisitions after completing the Activision/Blizzard deal and that they are also committed to not raising the price of Xbox Series X | S because it may ban players#XboxGamePass #XboxSeriesX pic.twitter.com/VcPLz68Qqv
— dark giming (@MAbedlkbir) September 17, 2022
It may seem like a significant drop in quality at first, but keep in mind that the Xbox Series S is aiming for 1440p/60fps instead of 4K/60fps. This implies that it can achieve its pixel count with less power while still providing the next-gen features that Microsoft is emphasizing, such as ray tracing and 120 frames per second.
Both consoles have the option to add more storage space, though. Microsoft offers a 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB proprietary expansion card that slots into the console’s rear. The finest Xbox One games are portable enough to be kept on a regular external hard drive.
In addition to Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, Spatial Sound is supported on both the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X through native streaming apps. Despite being implemented after the fact, Dolby Vision is now compatible with video games.
I hope you found the information presented above to be of use. You can also look through our news section, where we normally cover all of the most recent news and happenings around the world. Visit our website if you’d like to learn more about this topic.
